Addiction and Domestic Abuse

Dr. Richard Soper wrote an interesting article on intimate partner violence and co-occurring substance abuse. We’re reposting an excerpt. Read the full article at https://bit.ly/2E3oHcB

Substance abuse has been found to co-occur in 40-60% of IPV incidents across various studies. Several lines of evidence suggest that substance use/abuse plays a facilitative role in IPV by precipitating or exacerbating violence. Some studies also suggest the benefit of interventions that focus on substance abuse/addiction in men who have histories of IPV. 

Spousal abuse has been identified as a predictor of developing a substance abuse problem and/or addiction. Additionally, women in abusive relationships have often reported being coerced into using alcohol and/or drugs by their partners. Substance abuse and high-risk alcohol use/abuse are more prevalent among women who experience IPV compared to a cohort with no IPV experience. In a study of prenatal patients in North Carolina, victims of violence were significantly more likely to use multiple substances before and during pregnancy than those who had no experience of IPV (American Journal of Public Health). It is known that many episodes of IPV involve alcohol and/or illicit drug consumption. Research has found that on days of heavy drug and/or alcohol use, physical violence was 11 times more likely among IPV batterers and victims.

Greater than 20% of male perpetrators report using alcohol and/or illicit drugs prior to the most recent and severe acts of violence. Victims of IPV also report the offender had been consuming alcohol and/or using illicit drugs. Many studies find excessive alcohol use to be strongly associated with perpetrating partner violence, though there is debate as to whether heavy drinking causes men to be violent or whether it is used to excuse violent behavior.

The strong relationship between substance abuse and perpetration of IPV has been found in primary health care settings, family practice clinics, prenatal clinics, and rural health clinics. The incidence of IPV and relationship to substance abuse is frequently observed and reported among individuals presenting at psychiatric and substance abuse treatment settings.

The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics report on intimate violence found that 85% of victims are female.

Women are five to eight times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner. Seventy-five percent of perpetrators are males. Of note, IPV also occurs in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) relationships.

Image by Adrian Malec from Pixabay