When looking to the core of domestic violence, what role does substance abuse play? If you have been a long time reader, you know that I post Domestic Violence Awareness posts every October. In my non-blogger life, I have appeared on radio as a DV Awareness expert. My younger sister is a Teen Dating Violence Prevention coordinator and has appeared as an expert in local media in her city. Part of my sister's platform discusses the role of substance abuse in teen dating violence. I was thrilled when I received a message from Michelle Peterson, of Revovery Pride in Anaheim, California, asking to submit an article for YBBG readers on this topic. Peterson's post appears below. The Link Between Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence by Michelle Peterson The United States Department of Justice found that 61% of domestic violence offenders have substance abuse problems. Alcohol use is reported in nearly half of all domestic violence cases. Even when an alcohol