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"The first time he hit me he was drunk. He used to call me names and was always really jealous but after we had our son he started
drinking more and more and his behavior got worse. I always blamed the abuse on his drinking and begged him to stop. It wasn't until he got a
DUI and gave up drinking that I began to realize I couldn't blame it all on the alcohol. Sure things were different in my home but my kids and
I were still scared of him. The last time he threatened me with a knife and he had been sober for 13 months."
  Drugs
And Alcohol Don't Cause Abuse
Domestic violence and drug and alcohol addiction frequently occur together but are two separate and distinct problems. One does not cause
the other. Domestic Violence is a pattern of controlling behavior that is learned and is not the result of alcohol or drug abuse. Not all
alcoholics or drug addicts are abusers and most abusers are not addicted to drugs and alcohol. Abusers frequently blame alcohol and drug
use for their violence so they don't have to take responsibility for their problem.
Drugs,
Alcohol And Domestic Violence Don't Mix
Victims of domestic violence experience worse injuries and are more likely to be killed when drugs and alcohol are involved. Drugs and
alcohol interfere with your judgment and make you less prepared to keep you and your family safe.
Similarities
And Differences Between Domestic Violence And Drug And
Alcohol Addiction
Domestic violence and drug and alcohol addiction have many similarities. Both problems hurt the whole family, get worse over time, have the
potential to be deadly, and involve denying and minimizing and blaming others for the problem. However, both problems are different and
need different types of treatment. Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and controlling behavior that is used to control another
person. However, addiction is a disease that is characterized by loss of control, poor judgement, and increasing tolerance.
Women,
Addiction And Domestic Violence
While most victims of domestic violence are not addicted
to drugs and alcohol, some women use and abuse alcohol
and drugs to cope with abusive relationships. It is
extremely painful to live with domestic violence. Abused
women use alcohol and drugs for a variety of reasons;
because they are forced to by their abusive partner,
because they are addicted to drugs and alcohol, because
their doctors over prescribe addictive medications,
because of societal oppression and because abusive partners
interfere with victims' attempts to be sober.
Help
For Drugs And Alcohol Abuse.
If you abuse alcohol and/or drugs, get help. Your life may depend on it. Call the 24-Hour Drug and Alcohol Help Line at 1-800-562-1240. You
can also check out their website at www.adhl.org.
If you need assistance or if you have questions,
call our 24-hour crisis line
425-746-1940 or 1-800-827-8840
(V/TTY available 8am-5pm)
© 2000-2003 Eastside Domestic Violence Program
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