According to a study supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 30%-40% of men and 27%-34% of women who have perpetrated violence against their partners were drinking at the time of the event. The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to intimate partner violence (IPV) as, “any behavior in an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in that relationship.” Physical aggression may involve slapping, hitting, kicking, and beating. Psychological harm may involve intimidation, humiliation, isolation, and more, and sexual harm includes forced sexual intercourse or other controlling behaviors. When alcohol is involved to intimate partner violence, the risks of physical, mental, and emotional issues become even more elevated.
Excessive alcohol consumption serves as a major contributor to IPV, as alcohol directly affects cognitive and physical functioning, reduces self-control, and makes individuals less capable of settling disputes with others in a safe and reasonable way. There are many indirect consequences of alcoholism as well, including financial hardships, marital problems, job performance issues, family concerns, health issues and more. Children who witness alcoholism and IPV are prone to experience more depression, anxiety, aggression, and higher risk of substance abuse problems later than children who do not. There are a variety of factors that can influence alcohol-IPV situations:
- Heavier, more frequent drinking
- Having fair or poor mental health
- An expectation that drinking alcohol will lead to aggressive behavior
- Only one partner who drinks excessively
- Social expectations
- Masculinity issues
- Relationship dissatisfaction
Alcoholism and IPV can have a huge negative impact in many ways, including pregnancy complications or miscarriage, emotional problems, suicidal ideation, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and more.
If you struggle with either alcoholism or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from IPV, treatment is possible. For alcoholism, detoxification is the first step in getting rid of the toxins that addiction has caused in your body. From there, treatment may involve therapy and medication to help you clear your mind. PTSD may be treated through medication and psychotherapy as well as eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. No matter your circumstance, seek the help you need today. It’s never too late.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, contact Avalon Malibu today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
References
http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/world_report/factsheets/fs_intimate.pdf
