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

William C Bowens MD
252-338-1100
 
1825 West City Drive
Suite F
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, 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, Naltrexone (oral), Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications, Acamprosate(Campral®), 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, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, Screening for tobacco use, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Alcohol Detoxification, Benzodiazepines Detoxification, Cocaine Detoxification, Methamphetamines Detoxification, Disulfiram(Antabuse®), Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder, Buprenorphine maintenance for predetermined time,
William C Bowens MD
252-338-1100
1825 West City Drive
Suite F
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, 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, Naltrexone (oral), Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications, Acamprosate(Campral®), 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, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Detoxification, Opioids Detoxification, Interim services for clients, Screening for tobacco use, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Nicotine replacement therapy, Vivitrol® (injectable Naltrexone), Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Alcohol Detoxification, Benzodiazepines Detoxification, Cocaine Detoxification, Methamphetamines Detoxification, Disulfiram(Antabuse®), Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder, Buprenorphine maintenance for predetermined time

Service Setting:Outpatient, Regular outpatient treatment, Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone, Outpatient detoxification

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

PORT Human Services
252-335-0803
1141 North Road Street
Suite L
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, Naltrexone (oral), Acamprosate(Campral®), Drug or alcohol urine screening, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Disulfiram(Antabuse®),
PORT Human Services
252-335-0803
1141 North Road Street
Suite L
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, Naltrexone (oral), Acamprosate(Campral®), Drug or alcohol urine screening, Medications for psychiatric disorders), Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Housing services, Buprenorphine maintenance, Buprenorphine used in treatment, Prescribes/administer buprenorphine and/or naltrexone, Disulfiram(Antabuse®)

Service Setting:Outpatient, Intensive outpatient treatment, Regular outpatient treatment, Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization, 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)

Pathways Counseling Center
252-338-5334
 
508 East Main Street
Suite 201
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, Mental health services, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Screening for tobacco use, Treatment for gambling disorder, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder, Treatment for internet use disorder,
Pathways Counseling Center
252-338-5334
508 East Main Street
Suite 201
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, Mental health services, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, Social skills development, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Screening for tobacco use, Treatment for gambling disorder, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder, Treatment for internet use disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, Regular outpatient treatment

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

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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