How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Huntington Park CA

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.

Salvation Army
(323) 263-1206x203
5600 Rickenbacker Road
Bell, CA
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, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Women, Men

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Canon Human Services Center
(323) 249-9097
9705 South Holmes Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Men

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Safety Consultant Services
(323) 567-0527
4120 Tweedy Boulevard
South Gate, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Spanish

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Teen Challenge
(310) 632-6833
3156 Euclid Avenue
Lynwood, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Men

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Watts Healthcare Corp Inc
(323) 568-5400
8005 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with HIV/AIDS, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Residential beds for clients' children, Men
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Southern CA Alcohol and Drug Progs Inc
(562) 927-1656
6635 Florence Avenue
Bell Gardens, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Men
Language Services
Spanish

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Charles R Drew Univ of Med and Science
(323) 564-6982
9307 South Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Shields for Families
(323) 357-6930
11705 Deputy Yamamoto Place
Lynwood, CA
Hotline
(323) 781-8202
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
BAART Behavioral Health Services Inc
(310) 537-5883
11315 South Atlantic Avenue
Lynwood, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Team One Stop Inc
(323) 232-7555
5850 Towne
Los Angeles, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents

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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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