Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational
There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.
Course Description
Improve your understanding of the connections between substance abuse and domestic violence with this course.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one person to gain control
over another. It includes acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling
behavior exerted against children, adults and elders. Domestic violence has no boundaries and occurs across all
socio-economic, political and cultural contexts. A plethora of factors influences domestic violence, one of which is
substance abuse.
The association between domestic violence and abuse and dependence has been investigated by various
authors (Gilbert et. al, 2001; Miller et. al, 2000) but a causal relationship cannot be inferred. While there is no
direct cause-and-effect link, it appears clear the use of alcohol and other drugs is a major risk factor for domestic
violence. Some studies support the idea that this is due to the similarity between the behaviors of perpetrators of
domestic violence and substance dependence (Irons and Schneider, 1997). Common characteristics include loss
of control, maintenance of behavior despite adverse consequences, minimization and denial. Others state that, by
reducing inhibitions and distorting perceptions, alcohol and substance abuse encourage open aggression.
