How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Mercer Island WA

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.

Thunderbird Treatment Center
(206) 722-7152
9236 Renton Avenue South
Seattle, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Consejo Counseling and Referral Servs
(206) 461-4880
3808 South Angeline Street
Seattle, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Associated Behavioral Healthcare Inc
(425) 646-7279
1800 112th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Youth Eastside Services (YES)
(425) 747-4937
999 164th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Pregnant/postpartum women
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Praxis Inc/Bellevue
(425) 454-9490
1800 112th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Therapeutic Health Services
(206) 723-1980
5802 Rainier Avenue South
Seattle, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Amharic

Data Provided by:
Seattle Indian Health Board
(206) 834-4029
2212 South Jackson Street
Seattle, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men

Data Provided by:
Bridge Way Treatment Services
(425) 283-5315
1800 112th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
THS Central Youth and Family Services
(206) 322-7676x200
1901 Martin Luther King Jr Way South
Seattle, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Catholic Community Services
(206) 328-5097
100 23rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

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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