Domestic violence
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Substance Use and Victims of Domestic Violence
The connection between substance use and domestic violence is a strong and significant one. Research has shown that perhaps 50% of all domestic violence incidents occur when the batterers are intoxicated, but many domestic violence experts suggest that the figures are even higher. Batterer intervention programs traditionally have had a high rate of participants that also have substance disorders. On the other hand, many victims of domestic violence have been found in need of substance treatment as well.
The chances are high for substance use problems and intimate partner violence to coexist. This occurs for many reasons with respect to the substance use of batterers as well as their victims. For example, it is not unusual for victims of domestic violence to cope with the trauma of violence by using substances themselves. Also, unfortunately, some women tend to be more vulnerable to becoming involved in battering or coercive relationships when using drugs and alcohol. They are less able to proactively screen for danger signs in relationships and in specific situations with their partners.
Women with substance use disorders are also apt to be dependent upon their partners financially and to have little resources for establishing independence. This can prolong involvement in violent relationships because substance use impairs the ability to be self-sufficient especially when it is coupled with the control and isolation of domestic violence.
Women who use substances are also more vulnerable within a specific incident of assault since alcohol and drugs impair judgment and perception as well as distort the reflexes and reactions needed to manage and exit a dangerous situation. Consequently, victims who are intoxicated, or who must cope with the consequences of an addictive illness, are less able to maintain a safety plan in general and less able to exit violent relationships or to establish independent lifestyles away from their batterers.
Furthermore, victims of domestic violence are likely to seek medical care for a number of issues that are sometimes treated with abusable or addictive medications. They are frequently treated for anxiety, depression, pain, lethargy and sleep disturbances. Often the prescriptions given to treat such symptoms are benzodiazepines, sedatives and opiates.
Also, recovery efforts for victims with substance use disorders are often sabotaged by memories of abuse. Posttraumatic stress disorder is not uncommon and symptoms often increase during withdrawal, detox and early recovery. Recovery efforts can also be sabotaged by fear as batterers generally escalate when their victims leave the relationship. Batterers may view the victim’s recovery efforts as threatening and evidence that the victim is preparing to leave the relationship. This phase of any violent relationship -- separation -- is considered to be the most dangerous time for significant harm to the victim. Therefore, many victims leave substance treatment because they are coerced or manipulated back into their violent relationships in fear for their own safety.
Because batterers isolate their victims from social contact and support, even the victim who successfully completes treatment is less likely to use recovery supports such as counseling and 12 Step participation. Consequently, victims in early recovery who remain in violent and/or coercive relationships are at significant risk of relapse due to violence-related stress and coerced isolation from the support found in a recovery group and counseling. Victims who successfully leave their relationships of domestic violence may still have a great deal of difficulty trusting others and participating in support groups.
