Reasons Why Battered Women May Use Alcohol or Drugs
In addition to the reasons for drinking or using drugs given by clients without domestic violence experiences, the following are often used by battered women.

• Belief that alcohol or drugs enhance safety. Batterer may say she will be beaten if she doesn’t drink with him or get high with him.
• Batterer has introduced the use of substances.
• Belief that if she stays high she can keep him high and avoid abuse.
• May have used/abused substances prior to battering relationship.
• Uses substances to cope with violence.