Dual Identities

Fülszöveg

As professionals in the chemical dependency field, we are all too aware of what ignorance, prejudice, denial and stigma do to alcoholics and drug addicts. But, when alcoholics and drug addicts are also homosexual, are we aware of the overwhelming struggles they must face? Do we realize the effect that this "dual stigma" has on homosexual alcoholics? In this ground-breaking book, we learn that society's "homophobia" creates magnified feelings of low selfworth, guilt and shame in chemically dependent lesbians and gay men. In order to cope, they adopt a powerful defense system where denial of addiction swirls together with the fear of disclosing homosexuality. Dual Identities gives us the tools necessary to break through this double barrier to recovery. We discover that increasing our knowledge about homosexuality and our acceptance of it is the key to establishing our patients' trust. By creating a safe and understanding environment, patients can feel free enough to begin looking more... Tovább

Fülszöveg

As professionals in the chemical dependency field, we are all too aware of what ignorance, prejudice, denial and stigma do to alcoholics and drug addicts. But, when alcoholics and drug addicts are also homosexual, are we aware of the overwhelming struggles they must face? Do we realize the effect that this "dual stigma" has on homosexual alcoholics? In this ground-breaking book, we learn that society's "homophobia" creates magnified feelings of low selfworth, guilt and shame in chemically dependent lesbians and gay men. In order to cope, they adopt a powerful defense system where denial of addiction swirls together with the fear of disclosing homosexuality. Dual Identities gives us the tools necessary to break through this double barrier to recovery. We discover that increasing our knowledge about homosexuality and our acceptance of it is the key to establishing our patients' trust. By creating a safe and understanding environment, patients can feel free enough to begin looking more closely at themselves. This informative book shows how we can use familiar counseling techniques to deal with the special needs and issues of gay and lesbian alcoholics. With their guidance and expertise, the authors, Dana Finnegan and Emily McNally, offer hope that chemically dependent homosexuals can live sober, clean lives with dignity and pride. Dana Finnegan and Emily McNally are Co-founders and Board members of the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Alcoholism Professionals. They are also Certified Alcoholism Counselors and CoDirectors of the Discovery Counseling Center, a private alcoholism counseling center in New Jersey and New York City. Vissza