The Link Between Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse

As Vox Culture begins a new year and launches the Proclaiming Humanity semester, during which we will aim to strengthen the voice of victims of domestic violence,  it is important to understand how social issues such as domestic violence are interconnected and influence other issues such as substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) - our last topic of focus for 2013.  So, how are domestic violence and substance abuse interconnected issues?

Alcohol is the most widely used and abused substance in the United States. Alcohol abuse and drug abuse create numerous problems within society, such as those dealing with health, and also cost individuals at huge financial proportions. Millions of people nationwide have alcohol problems in any given year. By understanding how the two problems are related, we can find ways to treat and prevent both alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

According to the World Health Organization, when it comes to women, one in every three women around the world will experience domestic violence at some point in their life – with nearly 40 percent of female murder victims being killed by their intimate partners. It is an epidemic that occurs in both at home and globally, without regard to an individual’s race, income, religion, education level, or anything else.

The link between substance abuse and domestic violence can be seen in statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, which has found that 61 percent of domestic violence offenders also have substance abuse problems.

Findings further estimate that 25 to 50 percent of episodes of domestic violence are preceded by alcohol or drug use.  Additionally, both the victim and the abuser may be drinking or under the influence of drugs when a violent incident occurs.  The relationship between domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse has immense complexity.  It is easy to say that substance abuse is the cause of domestic violence without taking into account psychological characteristics of the abuser and their personal history.  The majority of domestic batterers tend to be men who may be suffering from a traumatic event that occurred in their past.  Domestic violence is a generational family problem – an individual who subjects their family to domestic violence may have been victimized themselves as a child.

There are several myths that surround domestic violence:

• First, Domestic violence is NOT caused by substance abuse.  They are two separate problems and must be treated separately.

• Secondly, substance abusers CANNOT control their violent behavior.  Abusers know how to hide the violence they inflict, even when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Third, simply treating the substance abuse problem will NOT end the domestic violence.  There is no guarantee that successful treatment for substance abuse will stop the domestic violence.

Alcohol does an effect on people’s ability to perceive, integrate and process information. However, this distortion in the user’s thinking does not cause violence, but may increase the risk that the user will misinterpret their partner or another’s behavior.

Previous research has also indicated that a large quantity of alcohol can increase the user’s sense of personal power and domination over others. This increased sense of power and control can, in turn, make it more likely that an abuser will attempt to exercise that power and control over another.

The abuser is not the only one who may be using substances. Other research indicates that an abuser’s victims may use substances with their abuser in order to attempt to manage the violence and increase their personal safety – or in some cases may even be forced by the abuser to use substances together.

Those who abuse substances and those who are culprits of domestic violence share several common features:

• Continuation of behavior despite negative consequences
• Preoccupation/obsession
• Adversely affect family members including across generational lines
• Predisposition to relapse
• Accountability for difficulties placed on others or external causes
• Increased use (of substance and/or power/control) to maintain effect
• Preoccupation, rituals, acting out, guilt/remorse
• Late manifestation of involvement in workplace, further on the continuum of the disease or lethality
• Adversely affect intimacy
• Characterized by denial, minimization, and rationalization
• Intervention or abandonment by family members exceptionally difficult

If you have been affected by, are currently suffering from, or know of someone who is going through domestic violence, there are multiple organizations that should be reached out to, such as the Tahirih Justice Center or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE.

Together, we can raise awareness and empower those struggling and their loved ones to reach out and seek help.