How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Prospect Heights IL

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.

Omni Youth Services
(847) 253-6010
1616 North Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL
Hotline
(847) 353-1500
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Polish, Russian, Spanish

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Victory Vision Counseling
(847) 788-9622
500 West Central Road
Mount Prospect, IL
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, Bosnian, Gujurati, Hindi, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian

Data Provided by:
Northwest Community Hospital
(847) 618-2700
901 West Kirchoff Road
Arlington Heights, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents

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Adult Counseling and Educational Servs
(847) 593-6201
415 East Golf Road
Arlington Heights, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Maryville Academy
(847) 294-1999
1150 North River Road
Des Plaines, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
DUI Counseling Center
(847) 459-8879
1098 South Milwaukee Avenue
Wheeling, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Polish, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Omni Youth Services
(847) 541-0199
210 North Wolf Road
Wheeling, IL
Hotline
(847) 353-1500
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
Polish, Russian, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Arlington Center for Recovery LLC
(847) 427-9680
1655 S Arlington Heights Road 200
Arlington Heights, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Counseling Center of Illinois
(773) 777-6767
115 South Wilke Road
Arlington Heights, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Family Guidance Centers Inc
(847) 827-7517
484 Lee Street
Des Plaines, IL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance
Types of Care
Outpatient

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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