Women's Perspectives on the Influence of Intimate Partner Violence on Substance Use Disorder Recovery and Associated...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant stressor for women, particularly those with substance use disorders (SUD).
• IPV-related trauma is often overlooked in SUD treatment, with limited research on its influence.
• Understanding women's experiences with IPV and SUD is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore women's perspectives on how IPV affects their substance use and recovery.
• To identify specific service needs for women experiencing both IPV and SUD.
• To inform the integration of trauma-informed care into SUD treatment.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women receiving SUD treatment who had experienced IPV.
• Data collection included questionnaires on demographics, IPV, substance use, and SUD services.
• Thematic analysis, using an iterative inductive and deductive approach, was applied to transcribed interviews.

Main Results:

• Coercive behaviors by partners were found to increase substance use and impede engagement with SUD services.
• Mental health consequences of IPV worsened substance use and reduced service engagement.
• Participants emphasized the value of integrated mental health and IPV support services alongside SUD treatment for recovery.

Conclusions:

• Co-addressing mental health and IPV within SUD treatment is essential for women's recovery.
• Increased mental health support and peer support can complement existing SUD treatment.
• Adopting a trauma-informed approach in SUD treatment can improve outcomes and well-being for women.