How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse

Some LGBT individuals may use intoxicants to cope with shame and other negative feelings. Some LGBT individuals learn to devalue themselves and value only heterosexual persons instead. The negative effects of heterosexism include: Self-blame for the victimization one has suffered.

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Family Servs League of Suffolk County
Outpatient Chemical Dep Program
631-647-3100 x4332
1444 5th Avenue
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive mental health assessment, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Mental health services, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Case management, Naltrexone (oral), Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications, Acamprosate(Campral®), Drug or alcohol urine screening, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Early intervention for HIV, Domestic violence services - family or partner, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Relapse prevention from naltrxone,
Family Servs League of Suffolk County
Outpatient Chemical Dep Program
631-647-3100 x4332
1444 5th Avenue
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive mental health assessment, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Mental health services, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Case management, Naltrexone (oral), Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications, Acamprosate(Campral®), Drug or alcohol urine screening, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Early intervention for HIV, Domestic violence services - family or partner, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Relapse prevention from naltrxone

Service Setting:Outpatient, Intensive outpatient treatment, Regular outpatient treatment, Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., TRICARE), Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse

How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse

When treating LGBT clients, it is helpful for providers to understand the effect of heterosexism on their LGBT clients. The role of heterosexism in the etiology of substance abuse is unclear. Heterosexism instills shame in LGBT individuals, causing them to internalize the homophobia that is directed toward them by society (Neisen, 1990, 1993). Some LGBT individuals may use intoxicants to cope with shame and other negative feelings. Some LGBT individuals learn to devalue themselves and value only heterosexual persons instead. The negative effects of heterosexism include the following:

• Self-blame for the victimization one has suffered

• A negative self-concept as a result of negative messages about homosexuality

• Anger directed inward resulting in destructive patterns such as substance abuse

• A victim mentality or feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, and despair that interfere with leading a fulfilling life

• Self-victimization that may hinder emotional growth and development.

Recognizing that heterosexism is a type of victimization helps the counselor and client draw a parallel with recovery from other types of victimization, whether they are culturally or individually based. It is crucial that counselors and clients recognize that these effects result from prejudice and discrimination and are not a consequence of one’s sexuality. It is not surprising to find that many LGBT individuals in therapy repo...

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