October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence and highlight the resources available to support survivors. One often overlooked aspect of domestic violence is the role that substance use can play, both in perpetuating abuse and as a coping mechanism for those affected. In the United States, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner—impacting more than 12 million people each year.1
Substance Use and Domestic Violence: An Overview
Substance use often plays a role in both the perpetration of and response to domestic violence. Alcohol, in particular, is strongly correlated with intimate partner violence (IPV). Alcohol-related domestic violence is twice as likely to involve physical violence, including life-threatening injuries, and in the United States, alcohol is a factor in about 40% of domestic violence cases.2 However, substance use isn’t limited to abusers; survivors often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the trauma of abuse.
Survivors of Domestic Abuse
For many survivors, substance use becomes a way to cope with the overwhelming emotional and psychological distress caused by domestic violence. Survivors often struggle with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can drive them to use substances as a way to escape.
- Emotional pain – Drugs and alcohol can temporarily dull feelings of fear, sadness, and hopelessness.
- Physical pain – Some survivors use substances to manage physical injuries sustained during abusive incidents.
- Escapism – Substances offer a temporary reprieve from the daily realities of living with an abusive partner.
Unfortunately, substance use can deepen feelings of isolation and entrapment, making it harder for survivors to seek help or leave abusive relationships. Abusers may also exploit a survivor’s substance use to exert further control, reinforcing the cycle of violence.
Substance Use and Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Substance use also plays a significant role in the behavior of perpetrators of domestic violence. While addiction itself doesn’t cause violence, it can amplify aggressive tendencies and lower inhibitions, increasing the likelihood of violent outbursts.
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, increase aggression, and reduce self-control, leading to acts of violence that might not occur otherwise. Stimulants like methamphetamine or cocaine can also heighten paranoia and irritability, escalating aggressive behavior.
Many perpetrators of domestic violence struggle with co-occurring disorders, including addiction and mental health conditions like PTSD or anger management issues.3 Treating both the addiction and underlying behavioral problems is key to reducing the risk of future violence.
Breaking the Cycle: The Role of Treatment
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize the need for comprehensive treatment that addresses both substance use and domestic violence. For survivors, trauma-informed care can help them heal from the abuse and managing substance use issues. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other supportive therapies help survivors develop healthier coping strategies and rebuild their lives.
For perpetrators, treatment must focus on both substance use and behavioral changes. Programs that combine addiction treatment with behavioral therapy help address both the aggression and the substance use that contribute to violent behavior.
How RCA Can Help
Recovery Centers of America (RCA) offers a full continuum of care for those impacted by substance use disorder (SUD), including patients whose substance use may be influenced by trauma such as domestic violence. While RCA does not intervene directly in domestic violence situations, we provide comprehensive treatment programs that address substance use and the underlying trauma that often contributes to it. Our trauma-informed care helps patients heal from the effects of trauma as part of their overall recovery from addiction.
As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize the role that trauma plays in substance use. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction that may be linked to the trauma of domestic violence, RCA is here to provide the care and support needed for lasting recovery. Contact us today at 833.926.5486 to learn more about our specialized programs.
Sources:
1. National Domestic Violence Hotline – Domestic Violence Statistics
2. National Library of Medicine – Alcohol, Aggression, and Violence: From Public Health to Neuroscience
