How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse South Hadley 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.

Gandara Residential Services For Woman
(413) 540-9881
507 Appleton Street
Holyoke, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Residential beds for clients' children
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Holyoke Hospital Inc
(413) 534-2626
575 Beech Street
Holyoke, 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
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Behavioral Health Network
(413) 536-5473x130
40 Bobala Road
Holyoke, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Community Healthcare Inc
(413) 746-0051x131
628 Center Street
Chicopee, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
German, Polish, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Grace House
(413) 586-8212
143 West Street
Northampton, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
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
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Providence Behavioral Health Hospital
(413) 536-5111
1233 Main Street
Holyoke, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, French, German, Portugese, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Arbor House TSS
(413) 538-8188
130 Pine Street
Holyoke, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Sisters of Providence Hospital
(413) 493-2741
1233 Main Street
Holyoke, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Men
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Community Healthcare Inc
(413) 584-2404
297 Pleasant Street
Northampton, MA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Hairston House
(413) 585-8390
25 Graves Avenue
Northampton, 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
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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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