Domestic violence and drug use are big problems in American family courts today. Whether they result in a change of custody, Personal Protection Order (PPO), or parental rights termination proceedings, issues of substance abuse and domestic violence loom large in a judge’s decisions about the best interests of children and families in front of them. But does one necessarily lead to the other?According to treatment provider Steps to Recovery, the interaction between substance abuse and domestic violence is far more complicated than most people understand. There are plenty of people with drug and alcohol problems that never resort to violence. But the chances of substance abuse among both abusers and survivors is much higher than the general public.
Domestic Violence Caused by Drug Use
Alcohol and some drugs do have traits that could push an otherwise nonviolent person toward domestic abuse. Cocaine and amphetamines can cause aggression, as can withdrawal from percocet or marijuana. Alcohol can affect a person’s emotions and thinking and make them more prone to outbursts. Even so, a drug problem is almost never the only factor, which is why substance abuse treatment doesn’t always end the pattern of domestic violence. Instead, some experts believe that people who use controlled substances may be prone to destructive behaviors, which includes domestic violence.
Addiction Caused by Domestic Violence
What the experts at Steps to Recovery have found, however, is that drugs and domestic violence are a two-way street. Domestic violence survivors are more likely to test positive for drug use at the hospital than the general public. In fact, 42% of victims used alcohol or drugs the day they were assaulted, and one third of domestic violence fatalities test positive for drugs during the autopsy. Sometimes, domestic violence victims use sedatives and tranquilizers to numb the pain of their experiences. Other times, the drugs or alcohol leave them vulnerable to repeated attacks and unable to defend themselves.
Because of the complex relationship between drug use and domestic violence, it is important that any substance abuse recovery program address coping mechanisms. It is also important that domestic violence shelters provide substance abuse support to its survivors. The full complexity of the interactions of drugs, alcohol, and violence may never be explained in all circumstances, after all there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But by being aware of these complications, professionals who work toward ending domestic violence and helping survivors escape abusive relationships can provide better and more supportive services to their clients.
Lisa J. Schmidt is a trauma-informed family attorney at Schmidt Law Services, PLLC, in Ferndale, Michigan. She works with domestic violence survivors to protect themselves and their children, and allow them to move on from abusive relationships in a wholesome way. If you or someone you know is trying to find a way out of an abusive relationship, contact Schmidt Law Services today for a free consultation.
