Substance abuse and domestic violence (Guest Post)
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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 alcoholic is sober, abuse is more likely to occur and likely to be extremely violent. Similar to the patterns of substance abuse, violence between intimate partners escalates in severity and frequency over time. Here is a look at the correlation between substance abuse and domestic violence, and how to combat such heinous acts.
Where does domestic violence stem from?
Domestic violence is defined as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior as a part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one partner or family member against another. While substance abuse and domestic violence seem to go hand-in-hand, substance abuse is not the sole cause of intimate partner violence. Chances are there are some deep-rooted, psychological issues that stem from childhood in both the victim and the abuser. An estimated 3 million children witness acts of abuse against their mothers every year. Because of this, many grow up believing that eruptive, violent behavior is an acceptable way to deal with conflict. Up to 4 in every 10 children who either witness or experience violence in the home have an increased risk of becoming involved in an abusive relationship when they are adults. Children who grew up around substance abusing batterers are at a greater risk of developing drug and alcohol addictions later in life --a habit often picked up to suppress the painful memories of their past.
Domestic violence and substance abuse
One of the leading factors for partner violence is regular alcohol abuse. The abuse of prescription drugs, particularly anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, are also often involved in cases of domestic violence. Many batterers like to use the excuse of being under the influence as a reason for their violent behavior. They avoid taking responsibility for their actions, which makes it harder for them to realize that professional help is needed.
In many cases, the victims of abuse foster addiction problems of their own. They use alcohol and other controlled substances as a means to cope with being in such a volatile environment. Women who have been abused are 15 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 9 times more likely to abuse drugs than women who have not been abused. In 2002, the Department of Justice found that 36 percent of victims in domestic violence programs also had problems with substance abuse. Victims who partake in substance abuse have a more difficult time reporting violence because their partner uses their substance dependency as a way to control them. Also victims are afraid that if they turn to the police for help, they too will be arrested for the use of illegal substances.
Seeking treatment
More often than not, victims of domestic violence and substance abuse suffer in silence. Domestic violence never goes away on its own. Even if the abuser stops using drugs and alcohol, they still may have an underlying psychological impulse to abuse their partner. That is why once treatment becomes an option, they need to be treated simultaneously for both areas of abuse. In order to have a successful treatment, the batterer will need to assume responsibility for their actions. Their relationship between substance abuse and violence will need to be evaluated, and they will need to participate in a detoxification program to rid their body of the substances abused. Continuing psychiatric counseling will benefit the batterer after the treatment so they may learn new coping mechanisms.
When a victim of domestic violence goes in for substance abuse treatment, a few areas will need to be addressed. First, their safety must be ensured and the staff will need to validate and believe the victim. Receiving validation from others is a monumental stepping stone for someone who has had a difficult time discussing their history of drugs and abuse. The victim will also have to undergo a detoxification process, and upon completion of treatment they will need to be made aware of their safety options.
Shining a light on domestic violence and substance abuse is difficult for all parties involved, however the only way out is to seek help. No one should settle for a life of violence and their are many programs in place to assist anyone looking to make a positive change.
Author
Ms. Peterson’s mission is aligned with that of RecoveryPride, which is to celebrate sobriety and those who achieve it.
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