Pubdate: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 Source: San Juan Journal (WA) Copyright: 2004 San Juan Journal Contact: http://www.sanjuanjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2456 Author: Anita R. Castle, M.S. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE San Juan County Health & Community Services sponsored its first Substance Abuse Prevention and Chemical Dependency Treatment Forum on March 18 at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. I was among the presenters at the forum. There were two breakout sessions in the afternoon, one presented by Thom Kelty, CDP of San Juan Recovery, on "Co-occurring Disorders: Mental Health and Chemical Dependency." I presented the other session on "The Deceptive Connection Between Domestic Violence and Alcohol." What do we do about co-occurring problems for clients who live with domestic violence and substance abuse? Significant efforts have been made to increase the public's understanding of domestic violence and to educate professionals and service providers about this problem. Research shows that substance abuse and spousal abuse are closely associated in a community, and many experts believe the use of substances is a direct link to violence against women. The significant correlation between alcohol and substance abuse among men who batter must be viewed in the context of the overlap between these two widespread social problems. (While partner violence includes same-sex violence, the following discussion will focus on abuse of women by their male partners or ex-partners, and substance abuse will be used interchangeably for alcohol or drug abuse.) Although domestic violence occurs in the absence of substance abuse, there is mounting evidence of a statistical association between the two problems, despite the fact that policy makers and experts in the field of domestic violence view it as a "false connection" (research on this view is readily available on the Internet). Various studies have established that alcohol is present in 50 percent of all domestic violence incidents. It has also been established that women who abuse alcohol and other drugs are more likely to be domestic violence victims and that these victims are more likely to receive prescriptions for and become dependent on tranquilizers, sedatives, stimulants, and other painkillers. Forty percent of heavy or binge male drinkers are batterers and 50 percent of males accused of murdering their spouses had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident. Not surprisingly, the court records of 89 percent of incarcerated batterers showed a history of alcoholism or drug addiction. Lastly, childhood physical abuse is strongly associated with later substance abuse by youth. Domestic violence and substance abuse have several similar characteristics. For instance, both are passed from generation to generation. Denial is typical and blaming the other partner for the abuser's behavior is common. Usually help is not sought until a crisis occurs and secrecy and isolation are dominant. Finally, partners blame themselves for their partner's abuse. Battered and addicted victims also have much in common in the way they feel emotionally. Their shame, guilt and hopelessness keep them paralyzed. A client involved in both programs can become subject to an atmosphere that keeps her psychologically confused, physically harmed and destined for relapse. One woman survivor reported, "As an alcoholic, A.A. and treatment saved my life, but as a battered woman it nearly killed me." I heard similar comments like this when I worked in a battered women's shelter in California. Usually after an in-house A.A. and Al-Anon meeting, residents would relate how confused they felt. Most would report they did not feel understood and that they were not sick or have a disease; realistically, they were just trying to cope with and survive the abuse. Some residents stated they felt guilty and were convinced they did not have any choices and they might as well go back to the relationship because they were not being "good" wives. Make note that most battered women who come to shelters are trying to find safety, protect their children and look for options for a possible change in violent living conditions. So what makes each program different? Domestic violence and chemical dependency treatment centers use different terminology, have different priorities and work from different philosophies. A good example of this is the way domestic violence programs talk about being "empowered," whereas substance abuse programs talk about "powerlessness." Labels like "co-dependency," "enabling" and "denial" are used in 12-Step and treatment programs. In contrast, domestic violence programs focus on "power and control" tactics. Different goals and philosophies drive each program, one seeking to ensure a client's safety, whereas the other promotes abstinence. If these contrasts seem confusing to us, imagine what the woman on the receiving end of all these conflicting messages feels. At the same time, batterers are subjected to similarly confusing messages, based primarily on "disinhibition theory," which is rooted in the cultural view that alcohol causes violence due to the physiological effects of lowered inhibitions creating a situation where a person cannot control his or her behavior. A new approach is needed if domestic violence and treatment programs are to bridge the treatment gap. We must work together toward a better understanding of each other's differences and collaborate effectively on the client's behalf. Together we can create a climate within our community, which sends the message we will not tolerate domestic violence as well as substance abuse. We can stop relying on disinhibition theory, which encourages simplistic moral judgments, allows the perpetrator to continue his power tactics in the home, and blames his violence solely on his substance abuse. The fact remains that non-using substance abusers and drinkers also attack their partners, and for some individuals using substances actually inhibits violent behavior. Batterers batter because they can and because, if they are allowed to get away with it by blaming the behavior on substances, it works. Bridging the needs of battered women who are addicted requires an open and integral working relationship between the chemical dependency treatment and domestic violence communities. It is our mutual responsibility to guarantee that our respective responses promote victim safety, offender accountability, and recovery from addictions. We should work together to create an environment in which, first of all, the victim is safe and eventually both the batterer and the victim are working toward being both safe and sober. - -- Anita Castle is director of Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services in San Juan County. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin