How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Natick MA

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.

SMOC Mental Health and Addiction Servs
(508) 626-2586
517 Winter Street
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Residential beds for clients' children, Men

Data Provided by:
Wayside Metrowest Counseling Center
(508) 620-0010
88 Lincoln Street
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
South Middlesex Opportunity Council
(508) 879-2250x127
300 Howard Street
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
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
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Portugese, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Spectrum Health Systems Inc
(508) 875-5801x4102
214 Howard Street
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Hurley House
(781) 891-4323
12 Lowell Street
Waltham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Men

Data Provided by:
Genesis Counseling Services Inc
(508) 620-2992
24 Union Avenue
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Advocates Community Counseling
(508) 935-0769
27 Hollis Street
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Seniors/older adults, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Portugese, Spanish

Data Provided by:
New England Aftercare Ministries Inc
(508) 872-6194x114
18-20 Summit Street
Framingham, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Westwood Lodge Hospital
(781) 762-7764
45 Clapboardtree Street
Westwood, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Arabic, Creole, German, Korean, Navajo, Russian, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Riverside Outpatient Center
(617) 969-4925
64 Eldredge Street
Newton, MA
Hotline
(800) 529-5077
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

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...

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