Table 4.

Overarching Themes in Recommendations for Substance Use Programs for Transgender Individuals

Specialized transgender substance use programs

▸ Use gender minority theoretical frameworks and theories to identify specific issues that affect transgender individuals and then target them when developing interventions.

▸ Community-based participatory intervention design methods can help identify salient issues that need to be addressed specific to the transgender community.

▸ Multicomponent interventions that address co-occurring issues are warranted.

▸ Interventions should be delivered by transgender peers and should promote a positive identification with the transgender community.

General substance use programs

▸ Integrated care should be developed and amended to be culturally sensitive. Programs that are not trans specialized should make every effort to foster an environment and treatment experience of affirmation and inclusivity to allow for a transgender individual to focus on their problematic substance use.