Strengthen Our Sisters Domestic Violence Shelter Services in Northern New Jersey

Male abuse of women is the result of male socialization, anti-female attitudes in society and societal acceptance of violence. However, many people believe that domestic violence is caused by alcohol abuse. This is a misconception. It is evident that many people drink and do not become violent. It is also true that many batterers do not have an alcohol problem. In the largest study of violent couples, only 35% of the abusers were identified as alcoholics.
However, in a society that encourages drinking and condones violence, it is not surprising that millions of people suffer from the effects of both alcohol abuse and domestic violence. In families with both problems, the situations become more dangerous, the violence more severe.

Many heavy drinkers begin drinking to tolerate stressful situations over which they feel they have no control. Men also use violence to gain control. Therefore, the batterer who drinks uses both alcohol and physical force to gain control over his world...his partner, his children, his feelings.

Additionally, many men who batter use alcohol or drugs to avoid responsibility for their violent behavior. In our culture men under the influence of alcohol are expected to be more violent, but are then excused from responsibility for that violence. In a survey on the relationship between alcohol and domestic violence, the respondents held violent men less responsible for their violence if they were drinking.

Battered women are conditioned by this same culture. When the batterer pleads, "I'm sorry; I couldn't help myself' I was drunk," the woman is more likely to excuse the abuse. Although alcohol does lower inhibitions, the person who drinks is still responsible for his behavior. He chooses to drink and he chooses to be violent.

Alcoholism and woman abuse are two distinct problems requiring different treatment programs. Many men attend abuser counseling programs thinking that if they stop drinking they will also stop hitting. But sobriety doesn't lead to non-violence. Also, men who are alcohol dependent don't have the cognitive and emotional resources to work at ending their violent behavior. These men would benefit more by attending two different counseling programs concurrently.

Since the problems are compounded for alcoholic batterers, close coordination between substance-abuse and batterer's programs is essential. Both batterers and alcoholics minimize, excuse and deny the severity of their problem. Coordination of programs can provide mutual support for non-violence and substance abstinence.

Workers in alcohol programs must begin to ask questions about woman abuse and family violence as a regular part of the intake process. They need to become familiar with their local battered women's and batterer's programs. Likewise, those who work with woman abuse must become familiar with the impact of alcohol abuse on families and the substance abuse treatment programs in their area.

IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT!

Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are
afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a
computer at your local library or other location. Or call our local hotline at 1-800-767-9470,
and/or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.


World Peace Begins at Home.

	<< Previous Article Return to Articles page Next Article>> Alcohol and Domestic Violence: What is the Relationship? by Cort Engelken Male abuse of women is the result of male socialization, anti-female attitudes in society and societal acceptance of violence. However, many people believe that domestic violence is caused by alcohol abuse. This is a misconception. It is evident that many people drink and do not become violent. It is also true that many batterers do not have an alcohol problem. In the largest study of violent couples, only 35% of the abusers were identified as alcoholics. However, in a society that encourages drinking and condones violence, it is not surprising that millions of people suffer from the effects of both alcohol abuse and domestic violence. In families with both problems, the situations become more dangerous, the violence more severe. Many heavy drinkers begin drinking to tolerate stressful situations over which they feel they have no control. Men also use violence to gain control. Therefore, the batterer who drinks uses both alcohol and physical force to gain control over his world...his partner, his children, his feelings. Additionally, many men who batter use alcohol or drugs to avoid responsibility for their violent behavior. In our culture men under the influence of alcohol are expected to be more violent, but are then excused from responsibility for that violence. In a survey on the relationship between alcohol and domestic violence, the respondents held violent men less responsible for their violence if they were drinking. Battered women are conditioned by this same culture. When the batterer pleads, "I'm sorry; I couldn't help myself' I was drunk," the woman is more likely to excuse the abuse. Although alcohol does lower inhibitions, the person who drinks is still responsible for his behavior. He chooses to drink and he chooses to be violent. Alcoholism and woman abuse are two distinct problems requiring different treatment programs. Many men attend abuser counseling programs thinking that if they stop drinking they will also stop hitting. But sobriety doesn't lead to non-violence. Also, men who are alcohol dependent don't have the cognitive and emotional resources to work at ending their violent behavior. These men would benefit more by attending two different counseling programs concurrently. Since the problems are compounded for alcoholic batterers, close coordination between substance-abuse and batterer's programs is essential. Both batterers and alcoholics minimize, excuse and deny the severity of their problem. Coordination of programs can provide mutual support for non-violence and substance abstinence. Workers in alcohol programs must begin to ask questions about woman abuse and family violence as a regular part of the intake process. They need to become familiar with their local battered women's and batterer's programs. Likewise, those who work with woman abuse must become familiar with the impact of alcohol abuse on families and the substance abuse treatment programs in their area. << Previous Article Return to Articles page Next Article>> IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT! Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a computer at your local library or other location. Or call our local hotline at 1-800-767-9470, and/or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
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