Age-related patterns of cocaine and methamphetamine use across the life course in the United States: disparities by gender and sexual identity among adults

Cocaine and methamphetamine use was highest among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Gay/lesbian men and women and bisexual men were also more likely to use cocaine at later ages. Heterosexual adults ages 26-34 were less likely than those 21-25 to report past-year cocaine use, but there were no differences between those ages 26-34 and 21-25 among any LGB sub-group. Heterosexual and gay men ages 26-34 were more likely to report past-year methamphetamine use than their counterparts ages 21-25. There were no age-related differences in past-year methamphetamine use between bisexual men and gay/lesbian women.