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DRUGS AND ALCOHOL: CAUSE OR EXCUSE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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Drugs and Alcohol: Cause or Excuse for Domestic Violence

There is a raging debate in recent research on whether there is a relationship between

drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence. There is no consensus as to what causes the other.

Does substance abuse result to domestic violence or vice versa? Domestic violence is the use of

excessive force among couples that are intimate or family members irrespective of sexuality or

gender. Alcohol and substance use has contributed to domestic violence at the same time used as

a scapegoat. Violence is manners acquired as one grows up (Choose Help 2). Traits of violence

are, therefore, picked up from one’s social circles.

Violent traits may include emotional, verbal, threats, physical intimidation, abuse, murder

and rape among others. There are men who are not heavy drinkers and even those who drink

excessively to the point of being alcoholics but they do not beat their wives. This proves that

domestic violence is not perpetrated by alcohol or drugs. According to researchers, violence is a

trait which is within a person’s domain to take control of and not necessarily a force from the

outside. Incidents of violence involving alcoholics and drug abusers are found to be of a greater

degree of injury and severity, compared to sober individuals. This observation raises the

possibility of alcohol and drugs being a factor in domestic violence. One effect of substance and

alcohol abuse is minimization of the problem and denial. After executing the violent act, the

propagators will often deny the act. This is equivalent to evading responsibility (Recovery

Network 5).

Addiction is sometimes used as a coping strategy because the use of alcohol and drugs

helps the victims to create a scapegoat. These substances are often used for self-mediation for

persons to cope with pain arising from physical trauma. The use is only a temporary measure as
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it usually causes a rebound effect in which the pain is greater when the substance wears off.

Almost 80% of cases of child abuse are related to alcohol and drug abuse (Enigma 2). The

treatment for drug abuse and alcoholism also known as rehabilitation has not been found to

reduce or end domestic violence among the propagators. This reveals that the two are not directly

related. There are many families, couples or individuals who do not take alcohol or abuse drugs

but are involved in domestic violence. This is proof that drugs and alcohol are used as an excuse.

In their sobriety, scores of women, men and young people manifest acts of domestic violence.

Alcohol and drug use is, therefore, a mean excuse.

From the above discussion, it is clear that alcohol and drugs are not solely to blame for

domestic violence. In as far as they may result to it, this only occurs in extreme circumstances.

However, some people use drugs and alcohol in defense of their uncivilized, and uncultured acts

of violence thus amounting to an excuse. Alcohol and substance abuse should, therefore, not be

taken as a scapegoat in instances of domestic violence. Some researchers have suggested that the

idea that substance abuse causes domestic violence should be reverted to violence causes

substance abuse (Hartney 15).

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Works Cited

Choose Help. “Substance Abuse and Family Violence.” Choose Help. Choosehelp, 30 Nov

2010. Web. 23 March 2011.

Enigma, Peter. “Drugs and Alcohol Abuse.” Women 20 Feb. 2010: 1-2. Print.

Hartney, Elizabeth. “Connections between Substance Use and Family Violence.” About.com

Addictions. The New York Times Company, 30 Nov 2010. Web. 23 March. 2011.

Recovery Network. “Domestic Violence & Substance Abuse.” Recovery Network. Recovery

Network, 30 Nov 2010. Web. 23 March 2011.