How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Sun City Center FL

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.

Tampa Bay Academy
(813) 677-6700
12012 Boyette Road
Riverview, FL
Hotline
(800) 678-3838
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Operation Par Inc
(727) 552-1512x103
2000 4th Street South
Saint Petersburg, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
DACCO Drug Abuse Comprehensive
(813) 413-1065
915 South Parsons Avenue
Brandon, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Pregnant/postpartum women, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Project Recovery
(813) 251-8437
305 South Hyde Park Avenue
Tampa, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women, Women
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
WestCare Florida Inc
(727) 328-1990
2510 Central Avenue
Saint Petersburg, FL
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), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians

Data Provided by:
Suncoast Ctrs for Community Health Inc
(727) 894-3533
401 15th Street North
Saint Petersburg, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Personal Growth Behavioral Health Inc
(813) 685-9332
710 Oakfield Drive
Brandon, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coord Office
(813) 621-8781
3630 North 50th Street
Tampa, FL
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, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
WestCare Gulfcoast Florida Inc
(727) 579-9016x243
2525 1st Avenue South
Saint Petersburg, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Tampa Crossroads Inc
(813) 228-9226
202 West Columbus Drive
Tampa, FL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

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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