How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Bloomington IL

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.

Local Treatment

Social Science Services Inc
Cedar House Life Change Center
909-421-7120
18612 Santa Ana Avenue
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive mental health assessment, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Mental health services, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Case management, Naltrexone (oral), 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), Self-help groups, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Child care for clients children, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Early intervention for HIV, Do not use medication for opioid addiction, Domestic violence services - family or partner, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Alcohol Detoxification, Cocaine Detoxification, Methamphetamines Detoxification, Residential beds for clients children,
Social Science Services Inc
Cedar House Life Change Center
909-421-7120
18612 Santa Ana Avenue
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive mental health assessment, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Mental health services, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Case management, Naltrexone (oral), 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), Self-help groups, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Child care for clients children, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Early intervention for HIV, Do not use medication for opioid addiction, Domestic violence services - family or partner, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Alcohol Detoxification, Cocaine Detoxification, Methamphetamines Detoxification, Residential beds for clients children

Service Setting:Outpatient, Intensive outpatient treatment, Regular outpatient treatment, Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization, Residential, Long-term residential, Short-term residential, Residential detoxification

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

Chestnut Health Systems Inc
309-827-6026
1003 Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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, Social skills development, Case management, Naltrexone (oral), 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), Self-help groups, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Domestic violence services - family or partner, HIV testing, Screening for Hepatitis B, Screening for Hepatitis C, Nicotine replacement therapy, Buprenorphine detoxification, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Alcohol Detoxification, Cocaine Detoxification, Methamphetamines Detoxification, Transitional housing or halfway house, Treatment for gambling disorder,
Chestnut Health Systems Inc
309-827-6026
1003 Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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, Social skills development, Case management, Naltrexone (oral), 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), Self-help groups, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Domestic violence services - family or partner, HIV testing, Screening for Hepatitis B, Screening for Hepatitis C, Nicotine replacement therapy, Buprenorphine detoxification, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Alcohol Detoxification, Cocaine Detoxification, Methamphetamines Detoxification, Transitional housing or halfway house, Treatment for gambling disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, Intensive outpatient treatment, Regular outpatient treatment, Computerized treatment, Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization, Residential, Long-term residential, Short-term residential, Residential detoxification

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

Chestnut Health Systems Inc
309-557-1400
720 West Chestnut Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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), Drug or alcohol urine screening, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Transportation assistance, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Treatment for gambling disorder,
Chestnut Health Systems Inc
309-557-1400
720 West Chestnut Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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), Drug or alcohol urine screening, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Transportation assistance, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Treatment for gambling disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, Intensive outpatient treatment, Regular outpatient treatment, Computerized treatment, Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization, Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone, Residential, Short-term residential

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

ABC Unlimited Inc
309-820-6757
409 West Washington Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Case management, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Self-help groups, Do not treat opioid addiction, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing,
ABC Unlimited Inc
309-820-6757
409 West Washington Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Case management, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Self-help groups, Do not treat opioid addiction, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing

Service Setting:Outpatient, Regular outpatient treatment

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment

Bloomington Meadows GP
812-331-8000
3600 North Prow Road
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Group 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, Drug or alcohol urine screening, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Self-help groups, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Do not use medication for opioid addiction, HIV testing, Screening for Hepatitis B, Screening for Hepatitis C, STD testing, Nicotine replacement therapy, Alcohol Detoxification, Benzodiazepines Detoxification,
Bloomington Meadows GP
812-331-8000
3600 North Prow Road
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Group 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, Drug or alcohol urine screening, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Self-help groups, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Do not use medication for opioid addiction, HIV testing, Screening for Hepatitis B, Screening for Hepatitis C, STD testing, Nicotine replacement therapy, Alcohol Detoxification, Benzodiazepines Detoxification

Service Setting:Hospital inpatient, Hospital inpatient detoxification, Hospital inpatient treatment, Psychiatric hospital

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, Medicare, Private health insurance

Amethyst House Inc
812-336-3570
215 North Rogers Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Case management, Drug or alcohol urine screening, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Self-help groups, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Transitional housing or halfway house, Treatment for gambling disorder,
Amethyst House Inc
812-336-3570
215 North Rogers Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Case management, Drug or alcohol urine screening, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Self-help groups, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Transitional housing or halfway house, Treatment for gambling disorder

Service Setting:Residential, Long-term residential

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

Centerstone of Indiana Inc
Centerstone Bloomington
812-339-1691
645 South Rogers Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples 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, Social skills development, 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, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, 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, Domestic violence services - family or partner, HIV testing, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Disulfiram(Antabuse®), Relapse prevention from naltrxone, Treatment for gambling disorder, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder, Treatment for internet use disorder,
Centerstone of Indiana Inc
Centerstone Bloomington
812-339-1691
645 South Rogers Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples 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, Social skills development, 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, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, 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, Domestic violence services - family or partner, HIV testing, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Disulfiram(Antabuse®), Relapse prevention from naltrxone, Treatment for gambling disorder, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder, Treatment for internet use disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, Regular outpatient treatment, Computerized 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

Amethyst House Inc
812-336-2666
322 West 2nd Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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, Social skills development, Case management, Drug or alcohol urine screening, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Self-help groups, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Child care for clients children, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Transitional housing or halfway house, Treatment for gambling disorder,
Amethyst House Inc
812-336-2666
322 West 2nd Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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, Social skills development, Case management, Drug or alcohol urine screening, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Self-help groups, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Child care for clients children, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Transitional housing or halfway house, Treatment for gambling disorder

Service Setting:Residential, Long-term residential

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

Amethyst House Inc
812-336-3570
645 North Walnut Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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, Social skills development, Case management, Drug or alcohol urine screening, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Self-help groups, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Acupuncture, Early intervention for HIV, Treatment for gambling disorder,
Amethyst House Inc
812-336-3570
645 North Walnut Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Assistance with obtaining social services, 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, Social skills development, Case management, Drug or alcohol urine screening, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Self-help groups, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Acupuncture, Early intervention for HIV, Treatment for gambling disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, Intensive outpatient treatment, Regular outpatient treatment

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, Medicaid, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

Meng Ai Counseling and Consulting
812-333-1988
101 West Kirkwood Avenue
Suite 210
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Accepts clients on opioid medication, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder,
Meng Ai Counseling and Consulting
812-333-1988
101 West Kirkwood Avenue
Suite 210
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Accepts clients on opioid medication, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, Regular outpatient treatment

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment, State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid, Private health insurance, Military insurance (e.g., TRICARE)

IL Institute for Addiction Recovery at
(309) 888-0993
Virginia at Franklin Street
Normal, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men

Data Provided by:
Allied Counseling Resources Ltd
(309) 820-9700
200 West Monroe Street
Bloomington, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
DUI Solutions
(309) 828-1988
207 West Jefferson Street
Bloomington, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Youth Outreach Services
(773) 539-7605
4751 North Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Gateway Foundation Inc
(630) 966-7400
400 Mercy Lane
Aurora, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Chestnut Health Systems Inc
(309) 827-6026
702 West Chestnut Street
Bloomington, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men

Data Provided by:
Alcohol Assessments and Services
(309) 862-4011
1600 Hunt Drive
Normal, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Countermeasures Inc
(309) 827-0818
110 North Center Street
Bloomington, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Jack Clarks Family
(773) 252-2877
2936 West Chatham Lane
Rockford, IL
Services Provided
Halfway house

Data Provided by:
Youth and Community Services
(309) 692-6900
1200 North Hamilton Boulevard
Peoria, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Data Provided by:

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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