How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Bay Village OH

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.

Recovery Resources
(216) 226-4001
14805 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS

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Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
(216) 265-6800
12301 Snow Road
Parma, OH
Hotline
(216) 265-6800
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Women''s Center of Greater Cleveland
(216) 651-1450
6209 Storer Avenue
Cleveland, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Seniors/older adults, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Covenant Adolescent Chemical
(216) 574-9000
1515 West 29th Street
Cleveland, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Gays and Lesbians, Pregnant/postpartum women, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Casa ALMA/Casa MARIA
(216) 459-1222
3387 Fulton Road
Cleveland, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women, Women
Language Services
Spanish

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Southwest General Health Ctr/Oakview
(440) 816-8200x5756
18697 Bagley Road
Middleburg Heights, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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McIntyre Center
(440) 887-1100
6285 Pearl Road
Parma Heights, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders

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Bridgeway Inc
(216) 281-2660
8301 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH
Hotline
(216) 281-2660
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

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Mental Health Services for Homeless
(216) 583-0681
2363 West 14th Street
Cleveland, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

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Stella Maris
(216) 781-0550
1292 Winslow Avenue
Cleveland, OH
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Men
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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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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