Co-Existing Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse/Dependence

Substance use among women experiencing domestic violence is not uncommon. Most domestic violence survivors report that drugs and alcohol helped them cope with the violence in their lives. A woman that is addicted/dependent on alcohol or other drugs is more likely to have a history of childhood violence than non-substance using women because experiencing violence in childhood is a strong risk factor for future domestic violence. Additionally, having a substance abuser/dependent parent increases risk for alcoholism/drug use. Alcohol and drug abuse/dependence is a risk factor for women being in violent intimate partner relationship, not the cause.

Angel Step Inn serves battered women that are substance abusers or substance dependent. There are two types of substance users; individuals that are substance abusers and those that are substance dependent. Below are distinct differences between substance abusers and substance dependent individuals.

Substance Abuse

1. Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (such as repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences,
2. Suspensions, or expulsions from school; or neglect of children or household.
3. Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (such as driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)
4. Recurrent substance-related legal problems (such as arrests for substance related disorderly conduct)
5. Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (for example, arguments with family members about consequences of intoxication and physical fights).

Substance Dependence

1. A destructive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress (social, occupational, medical) as indicated by 3 or more symptoms in the same 12-month period.
2. Need for significantly increased amounts of a substance to achieve intoxication or diminished effect of same amount
3. Withdrawal symptoms within hours-days of reduction of amount of alcohol and other drugs consumed
4. Use of a substance to relieve withdrawal symptoms
5. Inability to quit or cut-down
6. Significant amount of time devoted to obtaining substance and/or recover from effects substance taken in larger amounts or over longer time than intended continued substance use despite significant or worsening impact on psychological or physical condition important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced due to substance use.