How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Jenison MI

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.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Hlth Servs
(616) 222-3700
4211 Parkway Place
Grandville, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Pine Rest Christian Mental Hlth Servs
(616) 222-3720
550 3 Mile Road
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Our Hope Association
(616) 451-2039
324 Lyon Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
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, Women, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Ottawa, Romanian, Spanish

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Pine Rest
(616) 227-6861
523 Lyon Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Men
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Guiding Light Mission
(616) 451-0236x211
255 South Division Street
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Men

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SOS Counseling Services
(616) 732-8110
942 West Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

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Eastern Clinic
(616) 243-6262
1555 Eastern Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women

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Pine Rest
(616) 222-5180
243 68th Street
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Bethany Christian Services
(616) 224-7617
901 Eastern Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
French, Spanish, Vietnamese

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Pine Rest Christian Mental Hlth Servs
(616) 455-5270
300 68th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

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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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