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

Amazing Miracles LLC
616-690-5319
321 West Main Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, 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, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Screening for tobacco use, Housing services, Acupuncture,
Amazing Miracles LLC
616-690-5319
321 West Main Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Individual counseling offered, Aftercare/continuing care, 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, Consumer-run (peer-support) services, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Interim services for clients, Do not treat opioid addiction, Screening for tobacco use, Housing services, Acupuncture

Service Setting:Outpatient, Regular outpatient treatment

Insurance Accepted:Cash or self-payment

Inner Access Therapy Center
616-527-2619
112 South Depot Street
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 mental health assessment, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Mental health services, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Domestic violence services - family or partner, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder,
Inner Access Therapy Center
616-527-2619
112 South Depot Street
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 mental health assessment, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Discharge Planning, Mental health services, Substance abuse education, Screening for mental health disorders, Screening for substance abuse, HIV or AIDS education, counseling, or support, Health education services other than HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, Hepatitis education, counseling, or support, Smoking/tobacco cessation counselling, Employment counseling or training, Screening for tobacco use, Domestic violence services - family or partner, Treatment for non-substance abuse addiction disorder

Service Setting:Outpatient, 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)

Comprehensive Recovery Services Inc
616-522-0687
215 West Main Street
Services offered:
Substance abuse treatment, Accepts clients on opioid medication, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for substance abuse, Drug or alcohol urine screening, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Do not use medication for opioid addiction,
Comprehensive Recovery Services Inc
616-522-0687
215 West Main Street
Services offered:Substance abuse treatment, Accepts clients on opioid medication, Individual counseling offered, Group counseling offered, Family counseling offered, Marital/couples counseling offered, Comprehensive substance abuse assessment, Outreach to persons in the community, Substance abuse education, Screening for substance abuse, Drug or alcohol urine screening, Breath analyzer or blood alcohol testing, Do not use medication for opioid addiction

Service Setting:Outpatient, 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

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