Domestic violence and chemical dependency: dual problems, dual interventions

This article addresses the link between domestic violence and chemical dependency. Both are extremely prevalent and pose serious threats to individuals, families, communities, and society at large. The commonly observed association between substance abuse and violent interactions has traditionally been explained as a cause-effect sequence. It is assumed that intoxication causes violence, and this viewpoint has traditionally dominated research on the subject as well as treatment methodology. This interpretation may lead treatment providers to assume that once abstinence from alcohol and other drugs is achieved, violence will also disappear. Researchers in the field of domestic violence argue that violence occurs both when substance abuse is present and absent. This article addresses the need to assess and treat both problem areas concurrently. In addition to providing assessment and treatment guidelines, the article describes the scope of the problem, etiological issues, and factors that may serve as barriers to treatment providers in identifying violence as a problem in chemically dependent relationship systems.