How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Westerly RI

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.

Center for Behavioral Health
(401) 596-0969
86 Beach Street
Westerly, RI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Stonington Institute
(800) 832-1022
75 Swantown Hill Road
North Stonington, CT
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Caritas Inc
(401) 539-3002
15 Baker Pines Road
Wyoming, RI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents

Data Provided by:
Connection Inc
(860) 405-2107x108
542 Long Hill Road
Groton, CT
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, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Residential beds for clients' children
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
CODAC Behavioral Healthcare I
(401) 789-0934
350 Columbia Street
Wakefield, RI
Hotline
(401) 789-0934
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Phoenix House
(401) 348-9995
101 Franklin Street
Westerly, RI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
South Shore Mental Health Centers Inc
(401) 364-7705
4705 Old Post Road
Charlestown, RI
Hotline
(401) 364-7705
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Connection Inc/ The Connection
(860) 448-4993
542 Long Hill Road
Groton, CT
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
French

Data Provided by:
Phoenix House of New England
(401) 783-0782
1058 Kingstown Road
Wakefield, RI
Hotline
(401) 788-2840
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
SARP Substance Abuse
(860) 694-4837
1 Wahoo Drive
Groton, CT
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
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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