How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Lynbrook NY

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.

Oceanside Counseling Center Inc
(516) 766-6283
71 Homecrest Court
Oceanside, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women

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Friends of Bridge Inc
(516) 825-4242
5-11 Pflug Place
Valley Stream, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

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Peninsula Counseling Center
(516) 872-9698
73 South Central Avenue
Valley Stream, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

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Community Counseling Services
(516) 328-1717
1200-A Hempstead Turnpike
Franklin Square, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
North Shore Long Isl Jewish Health Sys
(516) 437-0440
40 Elmont Road
Elmont, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Rockville Center Narcotics/Drug Abuse
(516) 764-5522
30 Hempstead Avenue
Rockville Centre, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
(516) 481-2890
600 Hempstead Turnpike
West Hempstead, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Tempo Group Inc
(516) 374-3671
112 Franklin Place
Woodmere, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse
(516) 546-1771
950 Church Street
Baldwin, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Mercy Medical Center
(516) 794-0160
150 Buffalo Avenue
Freeport, NY
Hotline
(516) 546-7070
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)

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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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