Domestic violence is becoming an increasing problem all across America. Domestic violence, often called family violence, or intimate partner violence, does not only affect abused victims, but can also lead to social problems when children are involved. Often times, adults who abuse their intimate partners suffer from alcoholism and/or drug abuse and usually have violent encounters with their intimate partner while under the influence. The aftermath of domestic violence can also lead to many problems with substance abuse. Alcoholism and drug abuse, coupled with problems in intimate relationships can lead to a variety of horrific problems such as homicides, assaults causing great bodily injury, and serious depression.
A study conducted by Christopher I. Eckhardt (2007) revealed the relationship between alcohol consumption and martially violent and martially nonviolent subjects. The goal of the study was to verify the hypothesis, stating that “maritally violent men given alcohol would exhibit higher levels of anger experience during anger-arousing articulated thoughts in simulated situations (ATSS), than violent men in other beverage conditions or nonviolent men in general” (Eckhardt 2007). The study consisted of 46 maritally violent and 56 maritally nonviolent men randomly assigned to receive alcohol, placebo, or no alcohol. Participants that volunteered were between the ages of 21 and 35, and completed 3 ATSS scenarios after one group was given satisfactory blood alcohol content (BAC) for the test. The ATSS scenarios instructed the 3 groups of men to listen to audio taped scenarios imagining they were involved. They were then asked to share their comments into a microphone which was being recorded. The scenarios included 1 neutral and 2 anger arousing themes which tested the subjects’ behavior and demeanor.
The results showed that maritally violent and nonviolent men had similar reactions to the scenarios, but maritally violent men made more aggressive and angry statements during the course of the test when given alcohol. This did not necessarily mean that alcohol intoxication would lead to an increase of intimate partner violence, but instead implies difference in overall mood and state of being. The study primarily suggested that the original hypothesis was not supported, and that further investigation needs to be conducted in order to suggest that alcohol intoxication and intimate partner violence is connected. One suggestion that the study did conclude on is the statement which says that intimate partner batterers have problems controlling their emotions, but one factor cannot make such a broad conclusion concerning the problem with intimate partner violence. The test conducted by Eckhardt (2007) support only the notion that alcohol use coupled with anger arousal disturbances contribute to intimate partner violence.
Another study conducted by Stuart et al. (2008) determined the precise role of illicit drug use and the affect it has on intimate partner violence (IPV). The study used 271 men and 135 women that were arrested for domestic violence related offenses. The test subjects were 18 years of age or older and were attending mandatory batterer intervention programs assigned by the state of Rhode Island. The volunteer participants were asked to complete measures based on the 1-year period prior to enrollment in the batterer intervention program. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence that controlled substances and alcohol have on intimate partners, and also determine the likelihood of having domestic violence related problems as a result of the substance abuse.
The finding of the study done by Stuart et al. (2008) suggested that both men and women batterers abuse illicit substances at a much higher rate than the general population. The study also found no difference between arrested male and female batterers and the amount of illicit drugs used. Lastly, the test established that men had a relationship between the numbers of drugs used and the frequency of physical violence. The more men abused drugs and alcohol, the more likely they were to engage in violence with their intimate partner. The study went on to say that the recidivism rate for drug and alcohol abusers who abuse their intimate partner is extremely high. It suggests that domestic violence intervention classes should incorporate some kind of a substance abuse program into their curriculum.
The above research focused on the connection between domestic violence and substance abuse. A study conducted by Kaysen et al. (2007) concentrated more on the motivations and symptoms of alcohol abuse and the connection it has with domestic violence victims. The study suggests many reasons for people to abuse alcohol, and concentrates on the affect alcohol has on battered women. Most women in this particular study who abuse alcohol use to it cope with a certain aliment that they are trying to overcome, such as a battery by an intimate partner. Alcohol abuse amongst battered women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of a domestic violence issue is prevalent as women may look at alcohol as a way to “self-medicate.” In the study conducted by Kaysen et al. (2007), 369 women participants from battered women shelters were screened over the phone and were asked to complete a battery of self-report and interviewer-administered test which assessed frequency of alcohol use, motives for alcohol use, and a trauma symptom inventory.
According to Kaysen et al. (2007), battered women who suffered from intimate partner violence, and reported using alcohol, consumed alcohol a total of 7 days per month with an average of 4.2 alcoholic beverages per day of alcohol consumption. These study results show that victims of domestic violence and traumatic situations are likely to associate with and abuse alcohol. The study confirms the original “self-medication” hypothesis as their results show patterns among domestic violence victims and alcoholism.
Substance abuse does not cause domestic violence, but can lead to an increase of emotion as well as anger and arousal. It is evident that intimate partners have more episodes of violence when alcohol is added to the equation.
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