How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Englishtown NJ

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.

Freehold Community Counseling Services
(732) 409-6260
30 Jackson Mills Road
Freehold, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Discovery Institute for
(732) 946-9444
80 Conover Road
Marlboro, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Mattie House
(732) 817-0616
86 Conover Road
Marlboro, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Men, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Community YMCA Family Services
(732) 290-9040x0
166 Main Street
Matawan, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
J Victoria Laszlo
(732) 794-3629
171 Main Street
South River, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Polish

Data Provided by:
New Hope Foundation Inc
(732) 308-0113
2-2 Monmouth Avenue
Freehold, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Men, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
New Hope Foundation Inc
(732) 946-3030x247
546 Route 520
Marlboro, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Jennifer Colucci
(732) 725-1094
470 Highway 79
Morganville, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Extra Care Health Services
(732) 721-3835
141 Route 34
Matawan, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents

Data Provided by:
Trautz Associates
(732) 220-0020
134 North Main Street
Milltown, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders

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...

Click here to read the rest of this article from Sober Recovery


Featured Facilities