How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Hudsonville MI

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.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Hlth Servs
(616) 222-3700
4211 Parkway Place
Grandville, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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SOS Counseling Services
(616) 732-8110
942 West Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

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Reality Counseling Services
(616) 475-8660
2610 Buchanan Avenue SW
Wyoming, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Arabic, Chinese, German, Korean, Polish, Portugese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Vietnamese

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Pine Rest
(616) 242-6400
2303 Kalamazoo Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Hotline
(616) 455-9200
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

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Eastern Clinic
(616) 243-6262
1555 Eastern Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women

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Pine Rest
(616) 222-5180
243 68th Street
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Wedgwood Christian Services Summit
(616) 942-2110
300 68th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Pine Rest Christian Mental Hlth Servs
(616) 222-3720
550 3 Mile Road
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Pine Rest Christian Mental Hlth Servs
(616) 455-5270
300 68th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Catholic Charities West Michigan
(616) 356-6289
40 Jefferson Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI
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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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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