How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Boyertown PA

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.

Creative Health Services Inc
(610) 327-1503
361 High Street
Pottstown, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Korean, Spanish

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Alternative Counseling Associates
(610) 970-9060
438-440 High Street
Pottstown, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Women, Men

Data Provided by:
Reading Hospital and Medical Center
(610) 988-4870
838 Penn Street
Reading, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women

Data Provided by:
Center for Mental Health
(610) 988-8070
6th and Spruce Street
West Reading, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Jeter Counseling Services
(610) 376-6065
517 Reading Avenue
West Reading, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Malvern Institute
(610) 970-5000
1566 Medical Drive
Pottstown, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Center for Mental Healthcare
(610) 988-8070
201 East Main Street
Birdsboro, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Hogar Crea of Reading
(610) 372-8410
302 South 5th Street
Reading, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with HIV/AIDS
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
New Directions Treatment Services
(610) 478-0646
20-22 North 6th Avenue
Reading, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women, Women
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Jeanetter Egan
(610) 965-3635
860 Broad Street
Emmaus, PA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
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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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