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Substance Use, Self-Harm, and Isolation: The Conversion Therapy Harms Parents Hear Least About
Most talk about "conversion therapy" centers on depression and suicide risk. Three other harms get less attention: substance use, self-harm, and isolation.
Most talk about "conversion therapy" centers on depression and suicide risk. Three other harms get less attention: substance use, self-harm, and isolation. A 2022 review of 28 studies in JAMA Pediatrics found problematic substance use among 67 percent of people who went through these practices, compared with 50 percent of those who did not. The same review found suicide attempts at 58 percent compared with 39 percent. Research from the Family Acceptance Project links parents' efforts to change a child with lower self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction in young adulthood. These harms often grow quietly, out of a parent's view, which is why they deserve a closer look.
Quick Takeaways
People who went through these practices reported more problematic substance use than those who did not.
Suicide attempts are the most studied form of self-harm, and they were most common among young people exposed within the past year.
Young adults whose parents tried to change them reported less social support.
Many kids exposed to these practices say a religious leader was involved, which can cut them off from church too.
A parent's warmth is one of the strongest protections a child has.
Substance Use
A 2022 study in JAMA Pediatrics reviewed 28 studies and found problematic substance use at 67 percent among people who went through change efforts, compared with 50 percent among those who did not. Earlier research points the same way. A 2009 study in Pediatrics found that young adults who faced high levels of family rejection as teens were 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs than peers whose families showed little or no rejection. Pressure to change can feel like rejection to a child, even when parents act out of love.
Linda Robertson learned this through loss. When her son Ryan told her he was gay at 12, he spent six years memorizing scripture, attending youth groups, and begging God to change him. He later began using drugs, and he died in 2009. Linda now shares her story so other Christian parents can choose differently.
Self-Harm and Suicide Attempts
Research on self-harm after these practices centers on suicide attempts. The JAMA Pediatrics review found suicide attempts at 58 percent among people who went through change efforts, compared with 39 percent among those who did not. A 2026 Trevor Project research brief found that among young people exposed within the past year, 35 percent had attempted suicide in that year. CT4F explains more in does conversion therapy increase suicide risk?
Isolation
A Family Acceptance Project study found young adults whose parents tried to change them reported lower self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction, along with less education and lower weekly income.
Church can become part of the loss. In the Trevor Project brief, 53 percent of young people exposed to these practices said a pastor, priest, or other religious leader at their own house of worship was involved. When the pressure comes from inside the church, a child can lose a community at the very moment they need one. CT4F's conversion therapy research summary gathers more of these findings.
Why Parents Hear Less About These Harms
Substance use, self-harm, and withdrawal often happen behind a closed door. A child who has been told something inside them is broken may hide what they feel. "Conversion therapy" is a scam that charges families for change it cannot deliver, and these quieter costs rarely show up in a provider's sales pitch. CT4F's overview of why conversion therapy is harmful lays out the full picture.
What Parents Can Do
Watch for change. Pulling away from family, friends, or church, new secrecy, or signs of alcohol or drug use deserve a calm conversation.
Keep the door open. A solution that divides families is not a solution at all. Your warmth matters more than perfect words.
Get help early. For drug or alcohol concerns, SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential, and open 24/7. If your child talks about suicide, call or text 988.
You can hold your faith and protect your child at the same time. CT4F's guide to supporting a gay or transgender child without losing your faith is a good next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is conversion therapy linked to substance use?
Yes. A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics review found problematic substance use at 67 percent among people who went through these practices, compared with 50 percent among those who did not.
Does conversion therapy increase the risk of self-harm?
Research links it to more suicide attempts: 58 percent compared with 39 percent in the JAMA Pediatrics review. Attempts were most common among young people exposed within the past year.
Why do kids feel isolated after conversion therapy?
Young adults whose parents tried to change them reported less social support. When a religious leader is involved, a child may also pull away from church.
What signs should Christian parents watch for?
Withdrawal from family, friends, or church, new secrecy, signs of drug or alcohol use, and any talk of suicide.
Where can families get help?
Call or text 988 in a crisis. For substance use, SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 offers free, confidential treatment referrals 24/7.
Sources and Further Reading
Research on Hidden Harms
Help for Families
SAMHSA National Helpline: free, confidential treatment referrals for substance use
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: free, confidential support by call or text
CT4F Resources for Families
Substance Use, Self-Harm, and Isolation: The Conversion Therapy Harms Parents Hear Least About
Most talk about "conversion therapy" centers on depression and suicide risk. Three other harms get less attention: substance use, self-harm, and isolation.
Most talk about "conversion therapy" centers on depression and suicide risk. Three other harms get less attention: substance use, self-harm, and isolation. A 2022 review of 28 studies in JAMA Pediatrics found problematic substance use among 67 percent of people who went through these practices, compared with 50 percent of those who did not. The same review found suicide attempts at 58 percent compared with 39 percent. Research from the Family Acceptance Project links parents' efforts to change a child with lower self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction in young adulthood. These harms often grow quietly, out of a parent's view, which is why they deserve a closer look.
Quick Takeaways
People who went through these practices reported more problematic substance use than those who did not.
Suicide attempts are the most studied form of self-harm, and they were most common among young people exposed within the past year.
Young adults whose parents tried to change them reported less social support.
Many kids exposed to these practices say a religious leader was involved, which can cut them off from church too.
A parent's warmth is one of the strongest protections a child has.
Substance Use
A 2022 study in JAMA Pediatrics reviewed 28 studies and found problematic substance use at 67 percent among people who went through change efforts, compared with 50 percent among those who did not. Earlier research points the same way. A 2009 study in Pediatrics found that young adults who faced high levels of family rejection as teens were 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs than peers whose families showed little or no rejection. Pressure to change can feel like rejection to a child, even when parents act out of love.
Linda Robertson learned this through loss. When her son Ryan told her he was gay at 12, he spent six years memorizing scripture, attending youth groups, and begging God to change him. He later began using drugs, and he died in 2009. Linda now shares her story so other Christian parents can choose differently.
Self-Harm and Suicide Attempts
Research on self-harm after these practices centers on suicide attempts. The JAMA Pediatrics review found suicide attempts at 58 percent among people who went through change efforts, compared with 39 percent among those who did not. A 2026 Trevor Project research brief found that among young people exposed within the past year, 35 percent had attempted suicide in that year. CT4F explains more in does conversion therapy increase suicide risk?
Isolation
A Family Acceptance Project study found young adults whose parents tried to change them reported lower self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction, along with less education and lower weekly income.
Church can become part of the loss. In the Trevor Project brief, 53 percent of young people exposed to these practices said a pastor, priest, or other religious leader at their own house of worship was involved. When the pressure comes from inside the church, a child can lose a community at the very moment they need one. CT4F's conversion therapy research summary gathers more of these findings.
Why Parents Hear Less About These Harms
Substance use, self-harm, and withdrawal often happen behind a closed door. A child who has been told something inside them is broken may hide what they feel. "Conversion therapy" is a scam that charges families for change it cannot deliver, and these quieter costs rarely show up in a provider's sales pitch. CT4F's overview of why conversion therapy is harmful lays out the full picture.
What Parents Can Do
Watch for change. Pulling away from family, friends, or church, new secrecy, or signs of alcohol or drug use deserve a calm conversation.
Keep the door open. A solution that divides families is not a solution at all. Your warmth matters more than perfect words.
Get help early. For drug or alcohol concerns, SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential, and open 24/7. If your child talks about suicide, call or text 988.
You can hold your faith and protect your child at the same time. CT4F's guide to supporting a gay or transgender child without losing your faith is a good next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is conversion therapy linked to substance use?
Yes. A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics review found problematic substance use at 67 percent among people who went through these practices, compared with 50 percent among those who did not.
Does conversion therapy increase the risk of self-harm?
Research links it to more suicide attempts: 58 percent compared with 39 percent in the JAMA Pediatrics review. Attempts were most common among young people exposed within the past year.
Why do kids feel isolated after conversion therapy?
Young adults whose parents tried to change them reported less social support. When a religious leader is involved, a child may also pull away from church.
What signs should Christian parents watch for?
Withdrawal from family, friends, or church, new secrecy, signs of drug or alcohol use, and any talk of suicide.
Where can families get help?
Call or text 988 in a crisis. For substance use, SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 offers free, confidential treatment referrals 24/7.
Sources and Further Reading
Research on Hidden Harms
Help for Families
SAMHSA National Helpline: free, confidential treatment referrals for substance use
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: free, confidential support by call or text
CT4F Resources for Families
Substance Use, Self-Harm, and Isolation: The Conversion Therapy Harms Parents Hear Least About
Most talk about "conversion therapy" centers on depression and suicide risk. Three other harms get less attention: substance use, self-harm, and isolation.
Most talk about "conversion therapy" centers on depression and suicide risk. Three other harms get less attention: substance use, self-harm, and isolation. A 2022 review of 28 studies in JAMA Pediatrics found problematic substance use among 67 percent of people who went through these practices, compared with 50 percent of those who did not. The same review found suicide attempts at 58 percent compared with 39 percent. Research from the Family Acceptance Project links parents' efforts to change a child with lower self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction in young adulthood. These harms often grow quietly, out of a parent's view, which is why they deserve a closer look.
Quick Takeaways
People who went through these practices reported more problematic substance use than those who did not.
Suicide attempts are the most studied form of self-harm, and they were most common among young people exposed within the past year.
Young adults whose parents tried to change them reported less social support.
Many kids exposed to these practices say a religious leader was involved, which can cut them off from church too.
A parent's warmth is one of the strongest protections a child has.
Substance Use
A 2022 study in JAMA Pediatrics reviewed 28 studies and found problematic substance use at 67 percent among people who went through change efforts, compared with 50 percent among those who did not. Earlier research points the same way. A 2009 study in Pediatrics found that young adults who faced high levels of family rejection as teens were 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs than peers whose families showed little or no rejection. Pressure to change can feel like rejection to a child, even when parents act out of love.
Linda Robertson learned this through loss. When her son Ryan told her he was gay at 12, he spent six years memorizing scripture, attending youth groups, and begging God to change him. He later began using drugs, and he died in 2009. Linda now shares her story so other Christian parents can choose differently.
Self-Harm and Suicide Attempts
Research on self-harm after these practices centers on suicide attempts. The JAMA Pediatrics review found suicide attempts at 58 percent among people who went through change efforts, compared with 39 percent among those who did not. A 2026 Trevor Project research brief found that among young people exposed within the past year, 35 percent had attempted suicide in that year. CT4F explains more in does conversion therapy increase suicide risk?
Isolation
A Family Acceptance Project study found young adults whose parents tried to change them reported lower self-esteem, social support, and life satisfaction, along with less education and lower weekly income.
Church can become part of the loss. In the Trevor Project brief, 53 percent of young people exposed to these practices said a pastor, priest, or other religious leader at their own house of worship was involved. When the pressure comes from inside the church, a child can lose a community at the very moment they need one. CT4F's conversion therapy research summary gathers more of these findings.
Why Parents Hear Less About These Harms
Substance use, self-harm, and withdrawal often happen behind a closed door. A child who has been told something inside them is broken may hide what they feel. "Conversion therapy" is a scam that charges families for change it cannot deliver, and these quieter costs rarely show up in a provider's sales pitch. CT4F's overview of why conversion therapy is harmful lays out the full picture.
What Parents Can Do
Watch for change. Pulling away from family, friends, or church, new secrecy, or signs of alcohol or drug use deserve a calm conversation.
Keep the door open. A solution that divides families is not a solution at all. Your warmth matters more than perfect words.
Get help early. For drug or alcohol concerns, SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential, and open 24/7. If your child talks about suicide, call or text 988.
You can hold your faith and protect your child at the same time. CT4F's guide to supporting a gay or transgender child without losing your faith is a good next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is conversion therapy linked to substance use?
Yes. A 2022 JAMA Pediatrics review found problematic substance use at 67 percent among people who went through these practices, compared with 50 percent among those who did not.
Does conversion therapy increase the risk of self-harm?
Research links it to more suicide attempts: 58 percent compared with 39 percent in the JAMA Pediatrics review. Attempts were most common among young people exposed within the past year.
Why do kids feel isolated after conversion therapy?
Young adults whose parents tried to change them reported less social support. When a religious leader is involved, a child may also pull away from church.
What signs should Christian parents watch for?
Withdrawal from family, friends, or church, new secrecy, signs of drug or alcohol use, and any talk of suicide.
Where can families get help?
Call or text 988 in a crisis. For substance use, SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 offers free, confidential treatment referrals 24/7.
Sources and Further Reading
Research on Hidden Harms
Help for Families
SAMHSA National Helpline: free, confidential treatment referrals for substance use
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: free, confidential support by call or text
CT4F Resources for Families