How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Melville 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.

Daytop Village Inc
(631) 351-7112
2075 New York Avenue
Huntington Station, NY
Hotline
(800) 232-9867
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women

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SCO Family Services
(631) 643-6663
151 Burns Lane
Dix Hills, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Residential beds for clients' children

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Mercy Medical Center
(516) 572-8463
1425 Old Country Road
Plainview, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)

Data Provided by:
Pederson-Krag Center Inc
(631) 920-8002
55 Horizon Drive
Huntington, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Huntington Youth Bureau
(631) 271-3591
423 Park Avenue
Huntington, NY
Hotline
(631) 549-8700
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women, Men
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Suffolk County Department of Health
(631) 854-4400
689 East Jericho Turnpike
Huntington Station, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Pederson-Krag Center Inc
(631) 920-8250
240-A Long Island Avenue
Wyandanch, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Plainview/Old Bethpage Youth Activity
(516) 576-3120
202 Terminal Drive
Plainview, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Nepenthe Inc
(631) 243-3062
435 Brook Avenue
Deer Park, NY
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Bridge Back to Life Center Inc
(516) 520-6600
4271 Hempstead Turnpike
Bethpage, 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, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
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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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