Though it isn’t hard to imagine why a victim of domestic violence might abuse alcohol or drugs in an attempt to mask physical or emotional pain, the frequency of this abuse and addiction scenario is startling. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), women who have been victims of childhood or adult abuse are 15 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 9 times more likely to abuse drugs than women who have not been abused.
While women may believe that alcohol or drugs are allowing them to cope with the stress of current or past abuse, the reality is quite different. According to the NCADV, addiction and substance abuse often prevents a woman from taking the necessary steps to end an abusive relationship.
What’s more, abusive males may try to shift blame for the violence to the addicts. For example, an abuser might tell others that he is only hitting the woman to control her when she’s drunk. In reality, this excuse has little to do with the man’s reasons for lashing out, but it may give him the short-term sympathy he needs to avoid consequences.
It’s important to end the cycle of violence, especially when children are involved, and it’s vital to have support in order to move on. Joining a 12-step program or receiving treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction in a rehabilitation center is often the first step to regaining control of your life and breaking free from the pattern of abuse.
