How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Cave Creek AZ

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.

Banner Thunderbird Behavioral Health
(602) 865-5555
5555 West Thunderbird Road
Glendale, AZ
Hotline
(602) 254-4357
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Mountain Valley and Associates Inc
(602) 870-0972
2432 West Peoria Avenue
Phoenix, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Criminal justice clients

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Community Counseling Centers Inc
(928) 524-6126
105 North 5th Avenue
Holbrook, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Pregnant/postpartum women, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Hopi, Navajo, Spanish

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Family Service Agency
(602) 264-9891
2400 North Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

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Cottonwood de Tucson
(520) 743-0411
4110 West Sweetwater Drive
Tucson, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Gays and Lesbians, Seniors/older adults, Women, Men

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Thunderbird Treatment Center
(602) 938-2301
13820 North 51st Avenue
Glendale, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Seniors/older adults, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women

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Community Medical Services Inc
(602) 248-8886
2255 West Northern Avenue
Phoenix, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Spanish

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Saint Josephs Hospital
(520) 873-5133
350 North Wilmot Road
Tucson, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women

Data Provided by:
Calvary Center
(602) 279-1468
720 East Montebello Avenue
Phoenix, AZ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less)

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Women in New Recovery
(480) 464-5764
860 North Center Street
Mesa, AZ
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

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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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