Link Between Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse
A pervasive myth maintains that alcohol or drug abuse causes domestic violence. Research suggests that the majority of batterers are not substance abusers and that the majority of substance abusers do not abuse their partners. Adherence to this myth leads to the false assumption that batterers lose control due to substance use or abuse. This can then allow batterers to become less accountable for their violence, “he was drinking” or “he was high.”

Research examining the link between domestic violence and alcohol or drug use is not clear. Most studies indicate that batterers are intoxicated or high in about 30% of the battering incidents. However, a battering incident that occurs when the perpetrator is intoxicated or high, may be more sever and result in greater injury to the victim.

In a domestic violence homicide study, findings indicate that 79% of abusive men were intoxicated everyday or almost everyday. Keep in mind that sobriety does not ensure safety, not does safety ensure sobriety. Do not demand that a victim be sober prior to addressing victimization. These issues must be addressed simultaneously.