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AN D
DO MESTI C
VIO LE NCE
Comm on Characteri st ics of
Al cohol and Drug Abuse and
Domesti c Vio lence
They both can be passed from generation to
generation.
Both involve denial and minimization of the
problem.
Both may involve isolation of the
perpetrator and the victim and/or family
Both revolve around power and control.
The Scope of the Problem
There are more deaths and disabilities each year in the U.S.
from substance abuse than from any other cause.
¥Every American adult pays nearly $1,000 per year for the
damages of addiction.
Group 2
Alcohol Hallucinosis: frequently visual illusions, auditory hallucinations
despite an otherwise clear sensorium (most common from is human
voices, most prominent at night), other types of hallucinations.
Treatment: neuroleptics.
Group 3
Withdrawal seizures : over 90% of the seizures occur during the 7 - 48 hour
period
following the cessation of drinking. Grand mal seizures. In the majority of
cases, the
seizures occur in bursts of 2 - 6. 2% of patients develop status epilepticus.
Treatment: anticonvulsants
Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (cont)
Treatment: drugs that have cross tolerance and dependence with alcohol
such as benzodiazepines (Librium or lorazepam), hydration, thiamine,
multiple vitamins
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
-Symptoms peak 3 -6 months after abstinence begins
-Symptoms:
AGGRESSION
HYPERACTIVITY
BEHA VIO RAL PROB LE MS
(cont)
Chronic meth users experience any or
all of the following:
initial euphoria a feeling of wellbeing;
depression feelings of sadness;
paranoia a chronic psychosis
characterized by delusions of
persecution or of grandeur; and
aggressive behavior leading to violence.
ADDI CTIO N
Meth modifies the brain's pleasure receptors
producing excess levels of dopamine
With prolonged use, the user's ability to
experience normal levels of pleasure
declines significantly.
The user suffers extreme boredom with
normal daytoday activities.
Meth creates a powerful craving in the user.
The psychological urge to use meth can cause a
user to become dependent on the drug.
NOTE: For the purposes of this
presentation “substance abuse”
refers to the use of
Any illicit drugs, prescription medicines,
solvents or alcohol, which harm health or
functioning.
It may take the form of physical or
psychological dependence or be part of a
wider spectrum of problematic or harmful
behavior.
DOMES TIC VIO LEN CE
PER PETR ATOR S AND SUB STANC E
ABUSE
Working with AOD abusing perpetrators in
Batterers’ Intervention Programs
The incidence of substance abuse among men
in batterers’ programs is between 50 percent
and 100 percent, depending on the proportion of
the men who were referred by the criminal
justice system (Bennett, 1995).
Batterers referred through the courts are more
likely to also be substance abusers than self
referred men.
Men who are violent outside their families are
more likely to have substance abuse problems
than men who are violent only within their
families.
AO D Abusi ng Perp etrators I n
Batter er’s Progra ms (cont)
Alcohol or drug abuse does not cause the
abusive behavior. However, for most
batterers, alcohol and drug use may:
Increase the risk that he will misinterpret his
partner’s behavior.
Increase his belief that violent behavior is due to
alcohol or drugs
Make him think less clearly about the
repercussions of his actions.
Reduce his ability to tell when a victim is
injured.
Reduce the chance that he will benefit from
punishment, education, or treatment.
Screenin g Batterer s f or
Sub stance Abuse
A screening for substance abuse is a
preliminary step that determines the
probability of an alcohol or drug
problem.
Because so many batterers are also
substance abusers, all batterers should
be thoroughly screened for substance
abuse problems.
Batterers’ Intervention Programs screen
for substance abuse through:
Initial Interviews:
Program staff ask established questions
and are trained to interpret responses.