Domestic Abuse and Substance Abuse: The Connection

What are the Links Between Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence and substance abuse are frequently concurrent problems.
Domestic violence, sometimes known as intimate partner violence (IPV), is not limited to physical assault.

It can include a variety of violent and coercive behaviors, including psychological and sexual abuse, social isolation, stalking, intimidation, and threats, as well as physical violence.

Domestic or intimate partner violence is characterized by a pattern of such behaviors to establish control over one’s partner or other family members.
Substance abuse may play a role in inciting or exacerbating violence in such cases.

Over 20% of male abusers report using alcohol or drugs before brutal acts of violence against their partners.

Domestic violence victims often confirm in their reports that their partners had been consuming alcohol or drugs at the time of the abuse. Research has further shown that physical violence between partners is 11 times more likely to occur on heavy drug or alcohol use days.

While domestic violence can occur without the influence of alcohol and other drugs, substance abuse is certainly an aggravating factor.

The link between domestic violence and substance abuse is evident, though whether heavy drug use and drinking cause violence or excuse violent behavior is unclear.

Like meth and cocaine, some drugs do sometimes cause paranoid and violent behavior, but this is not true for all drugs. Sometimes the violence only happens when the abuser is drunk or high.

Conversely, it may occur when they cannot get their usual dose and begin to experience withdrawal.

What is certain is that addiction leads to impaired judgment, making unpredictable and violent behavior a possibility in any situation. While a loss of control is characteristic in addiction, it does not excuse violent behavior, nor does it make it the victim’s fault.

Domestic violence refers to any behaviors used to control, manipulate and gain power over an intimate partner.

The different types of abuse include physical, emotional, verbal, mental, and financial. Each poses its danger, and the abuser often combines domestic violence types to sustain power and control over an intimate partner.

Domestic violence, like addiction, has no prejudice; it affects people from all walks of life. Both men and women are abusers, and it’s just as common in LGBTQ+ couples as heterosexual couples.

Understanding and Defining Domestic Violence

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 85 percent of domestic violence victims are female. Women have a five to eight times greater chance of being victimized than men.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services defines physical abuse as the “non-accidental use of force that results in bodily injury, pain or impairment. These acts of violence include, but are not limited to, being slapped, burned, cut, bruised or improperly physically restrained.”

On average, 20 people per minute experience physical abuse by an intimate partner in the United States. Verbal, emotional, and mental abuse interconnect through a series of behaviors that an abuser uses to create confusion and undermine the victim’s self-confidence, allowing the abuser to control the victim. Signs of this abusive dynamic are isolation, intimidation, and manipulation.

Understanding the Types of Domestic Violence

An abuser may use the following tactics to control their victim: screening or monitoring texts, calls, and social media recording the odometer mileage on the car after use, as well as driving by workplaces or known locations, not allowing or becoming increasingly displeased by certain makeup, hairstyles, and clothing choices.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse results from verbal and psychological abuse that diminishes another person’s sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth.

Verbal abuse

Verbal abuse is making direct or indirect threats, yelling, screaming, and insulting.

Psychological or mental abuse

Psychological or mental abuse uses statements that distort reality or invalidate the victim’s emotions, thoughts, or feelings.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse includes withholding or controlling all the income, not allowing the victim to access funds, or putting the victim on a strict allowance.
An abuser can also prevent or sabotage the victim’s attempts to secure employment by refusing transportation, making them late, or calling/harassing them at work frequently.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse uses coercion, force, guilt, manipulation, or not considering the victim’s desire to have sex.

Domestic Violence is Exploitation

Exploiting a victim who is unable to make an informed decision either because they are asleep, intoxicated, or otherwise drugged, or targeting a victim who is too young, too old, or dependent upon or afraid of the abuser is also sexual abuse.

For victims in an abusive relationship, daily life is centered around reading your partner’s moods, walking on eggshells, saying or doing anything to keep the peace for fear they may become violent.

Eventually, the manipulation and fear can become so great that victims will often feel they deserve the abuse.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of Addiction-Related Violence

Intimate partner violence is a significant problem in and of itself, but it can also lead to further issues that should not be overlooked. While substance abuse is a risk factor for domestic violence, domestic violence is also a risk factor for later developing substance abuse in victims.

Although much of the research surrounding substance abuse and domestic violence has centered on the effects on women, it’s important to remember that intimate partner violence can be directed at men by women and can occur in same-sex relationships as well.

Spousal abuse is one major predictor of developing a substance abuse problem or addiction. Compared to women with no experience of intimate partner violence, women in abusive relationships tend to have more problems with substance abuse. Furthermore, women in abusive relationships often report being pressured into drug use by their partners.

Victims of domestic violence are also more likely to develop serious mental health issues. More than half of women who experience intimate partner violence are diagnosed with a mental disorder.

Moreover, all people in a household are at higher risk of domestic violence when drugs are involved. Domestic violence can affect the children in a household even if they are not the direct victim of violence.

Of course, parents who engage in intimate partner violence are more likely to use physical abuse against their children. But merely being in an environment with violence can still have a significant impact on children.

Children in households of domestic violence are at risk for developing emotional and behavioral problems.

What Can I Do if I am the Victim of Addiction-Related Violence?

One of the most important steps you can take if you are experiencing violence from an addict is removing yourself and any children from the situation. Leaving can be difficult for a variety of reasons. But if you can, you should leave as soon as possible.

Even if you love the addicted person and want to help them, staying in the relationship or home is dangerous, and the situation will most likely not improve if you do not seek help.

When you are not around the addict, they cannot physically hurt you. When you are in a safe location, you will assess the problem and get help without the threat of backlash.

Some people may choose to stay with family members or close friends in these situations. For those who do not have such support, many areas have shelters or safe houses that specifically serve women and children who are the victims of abuse and domestic violence.

Unfortunately, male abuse victims may have a more difficult time finding a safe house or shelter. However, there are crisis centers that specialize in domestic abuse and are available to everyone.

Counselors associated with these services can work with you to find further resources.