How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Seal Beach 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.

Twin Town Treatment Centers
(562) 594-8844
4388 Katella Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA
Hotline
(866) 594-8844
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents

Data Provided by:
Southern CA Alcohol and Drug Progs Inc
(562) 986-5525
1755 Freeman Avenue
Long Beach, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Residential beds for clients' children

Data Provided by:
Substance Abuse Foundation of
(562) 439-7755
3125 and 3137 East 7th Street
Long Beach, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Orange County Health Care Agency
(714) 896-7574
14140 Beach Boulevard
Westminster, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish, Vietnamese

Data Provided by:
Pacific Clinics Subst Abuse MH Servs
(714) 379-4484
13950 Milton Street
Westminster, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
New Found Life
(562) 434-4060
2211 and 2137 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men

Data Provided by:
Choices Recovery Services
(562) 930-0565
2139 East 7th Street
Long Beach, CA
Hotline
(213) 999-9494
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians, Seniors/older adults, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Diversified Counseling Services Inc
(714) 895-0933
13672 Goldenwest street
Westminster, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Western Pacific Med Corp
(714) 821-5311
10751 Dale Street
Stanton, CA
Hotline
(714) 821-5311
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with HIV/AIDS, Pregnant/postpartum women
Language Services
Arabic, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Southern CA Alcohol and Drug Progs Inc
(714) 799-7766
7340 Center Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Data Provided by:

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...

Click here to read the rest of this article from Sober Recovery


Featured Facilities