How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Manahawkin NJ

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.

Lighthouse at Ocean County
(609) 489-0787
400 North Main Street
Manahawkin, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Seniors/older adults, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders

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Agape Counseling Services
(609) 242-0086
915 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Project Free Catholic Charities
(732) 350-4120
88 Schoolhouse Road
Whiting, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Aids Resource Foundation for Children
(973) 643-0400
176 Roseville Avenue
Newark, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Spanish

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Cumberland County
(856) 451-3727x21
72 North Pearl Street
Bridgeton, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Saint Francis Community Center
(609) 494-1554
4700 Long Beach Boulevard
Long Beach Township, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Ocean Mental Health Services Inc
(732) 349-5550
160 Route 9
Bayville, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Americas Keswick
(732) 350-1187
601 Route 530
Whiting, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)

Data Provided by:
Monmouth County
(732) 502-5870
2405 Route 66
Ocean, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Michael Chenkin LCSW LCADC
(732) 688-3493
337 East Main Street
Somerville, NJ
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, 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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