Domestic Violence and Substance Use Disorder – Are you Aware of the Connection?
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that’s used by an intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over the other partner. For some, the pain of being a victim of domestic violence can trigger substance abuse. In fact, women who have been abused are 15 times more likely to use alcohol and 9 times more likely to use drugs than those without a history of abuse.
- Domestic violence has significant mental health and substance use effects.
- There are high rates of domestic violence among individuals seen in mental health and substance use disorder treatment settings.
- Domestic violence is often targeted toward undermining a partner’s mental health or substance use treatment and recovery.
- Abusive partners undermine their partners’ relationship with their children, creating risks for children’s health, mental health and well-being.
- Experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder places individuals at greater risk for being controlled by an abusive partner.
- Stigma associated with substance use and mental illness contributes to the effectiveness of abusive tactics and can create barriers for survivors when they seek help.
Domestic violence can bring about feelings of loneliness, shame, self-blame, fear, anger, lack of control, confusion and denial, which may discourage people from seeking treatment for their substance use disorder.
In order to treat substance use disorders among victims of domestic or sexual abuse effectively, it is important that health service providers are sensitive to this group’s unique needs. Addressing domestic violence or the underlying cause of substance abuse in rehab often proves to be more successful than addressing substance abuse alone.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resources
- What Is Domestic Violence?
- Opioids, Domestic Violence, and Mental Health
- Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy
- The Center for Abused Persons
- Safe Harbor