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.

Local Treatment

Eugenia Center
360-740-9767
121 NW Chehalis Avenue
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, 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, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Early intervention for HIV,
Eugenia Center
360-740-9767
121 NW Chehalis Avenue
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, 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, Transportation assistance, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, TB screening, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Early intervention for HIV

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

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

American Behavioral Health Systems
Chehalis
360-748-4776
 
500 SE Washington Avenue
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Substance abuse education, 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, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Do not use medication for opioid addiction,
American Behavioral Health Systems
Chehalis
360-748-4776
500 SE Washington Avenue
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Assistance with obtaining social services, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Substance abuse education, 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, TB screening, Screening for tobacco use, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Do not use medication for opioid addiction

Service Setting:Residential, Long-term residential, Short-term residential

True North Student Assistance and
Treatment Services/Lewis
360-748-2274
151 NE Hampe Way
Suite C2-1
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family 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, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, TB screening, Do not treat opioid addiction, Screening for tobacco use,
True North Student Assistance and
Treatment Services/Lewis
360-748-2274
151 NE Hampe Way
Suite C2-1
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family 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, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, TB screening, Do not treat opioid addiction, Screening for tobacco use

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

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

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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