How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Central Islip NY

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.

Suffolk County Hauppauge
(631) 853-7373
200 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
French, German, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Suffolk County Div of Community Health
(631) 853-6410
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Outreach House II
(631) 231-3232
400 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents

Data Provided by:
Charles K Post Addiction Treatment Ctr
(631) 434-7209
998 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Town of Islip Dept of Human Services
(631) 436-6065
452 Suffolk Avenue
Brentwood, NY
Hotline
(631) 277-4700
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Gays and Lesbians, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
From the Ashes, Inc. CD OP
(631) 273-2221
300 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Town of Islip Dept of Human Services
(631) 224-5330
401 Main Street
Islip, NY
Hotline
(631) 277-4700
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
French, Greek, Italian, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Phoenix House
(631) 306-5760
998 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Sanctuary East Ltd
(631) 224-7700
2 William Avenue
East Islip, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Seniors/older adults, Women, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Phoenix Houses of Long Island
(631) 471-5666
153A Lake Shore Road
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Residential beds for clients' children

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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