How Heterosexism Contributes to Substance Abuse Trussville AL

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.

Tri County Treatment Center
(205) 836-3345
1101 East Park Drive
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient

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Department of Veterans Affairs
(205) 933-8101x6136
700 South 19th Street
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Persons with HIV/AIDS

Data Provided by:
Jefferson County Committee for Econ
(205) 787-3040
228 2nd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient

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Birmingham Healthcare
(205) 323-5311
712 25th Street North
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

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University of Alabama at Birmingham
(205) 975-7350
1713 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Hospital inpatient, Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Women, Men
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Aletheia House
(205) 595-1114
4246 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL
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, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

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Aletheia House
(205) 324-6502
201 Finley Avenue West
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Fellowship House Inc
(205) 933-2430
1625 12th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Saint Annes Home Inc
(205) 933-2402
2772 Hanover Circle
Birmingham, AL
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with HIV/AIDS, Women

Data Provided by:
Bradford Health Services
(800) 293-7191
631 Beacon Parkway West
Birmingham, AL
Hotline
(205) 647-1945
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents
Language Services
Spanish

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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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