Addiction and Domestic Violence Against Women

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Domestic violence against women may come in many form. It just doesn’t always constitute physical violence. Find out what it is and how addiction can feed into domestic aggression.

Domestic violence against women is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior against a woman. This abuse can come in many forms and is used by an intimate partner to gain power and control over the woman. While domestic violence can occur without addiction, substances can often quickly escalate an already heightened situation. This can then turn to forms of violence and abuse that women can often find themselves trapped in.

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On the other hand, the pain and trauma of violence can make women turn to substance abuse and other forms of addiction. In fact, studies have shown that women who have been abused are 15 times more likely to turn to dysfunctional behavior and substance abuse. They are also 9 times more likely to abuse drugs and other substances as compared to women who have no history of abuse or violence against women.

So what constitutes domestic abuse or domestic violence?

Domestic violence comes not just in the form of physical violence. They may come in the form of the following:

  • Emotional abuse and manipulation. This is a way to control a person by using emotions to control, criticize, illicit a desired response, blame, shame, and manipulate.
  • Physical abuse and violence. This occurs when a domestic partner hurts or harms the other on purpose. This can involve hitting with hands or objects, slapping, punching, and using force to get their way.
  • Verbal abuse. This is a form of emotional abuse wherein a partner uses words to shame, manipulate, intimidate, dominate, or control the other. This can also include giving them the silent treatment as well as scaring or insulting the person.
  • Psychological abuse. This encompasses verbal and emotional abuse, wherein a person, in this case a domestic partner, inflicts mental anguish, fear, worry, trauma, alienation, or isolation on a person as a way to control or dominate them.
  • Sexual abuse and exploitation. This is a form of abuse in which sexual behavior or sexual acts are forced upon a person or domestic partner. It is basically unwanted sexual activity with the perpetrating partner using threats, violence, force, humiliation, and manipulation to take advantage of the victim.
  • Financial or economic abuse. This involves controlling the person’s ability to acquire, use, make decisions on, and maintain financial or economic resources. They may be prevented form working so they have to rely to the partner for their needs.
  • Social abuse. This is behavior that aims to control a partner by cutting them off from their social circle, especially their friends, family, and community. This may also involve the perpetrator doing things to damage their partner’s relationships with other people.
  • Image-based abuse. This is when a person’s intimate or private photo or video is shared without the consent of the other. This may also involve taking their photo or video without their knowledge in order to coerce or control them.

Sometimes, domestic abuse or to be more specific, violence against women, can be hard to spot. For the victim, it may be because they’re used to it. However, it’s important to note that this can also include the following in a dysfunctional, distressing pattern:

  • Telling the victim that they’re worthless
  • Telling them they can’t do anything right, whether explicitly or through subtle means by undermining them
  • Dictating how they dress or wear their hair
  • Making a scene when meeting their friends or family
  • Pressuring the victim to do things against their will
  • Blackmailing them with intimate details or photos
  • Constant put-downs and insults to make the person feel embarrassed, ashamed, or inferior

The Link Between Addiction and Domestic Violence

All kinds of domestic violence steps from the perpetrator’s desire for control and power over their partner. Addiction is strongly linked to this. It’s because when someone is under the influence, they will lose control. This increases the chances of situations escalating and turning into abuse. Their addiction also compels them to manipulate the other person just so that they can continue using.

Both addiction and domestic violence can be similar in such a way that they are both:

  • exhibiting a struggle for control
  • continued behavior despite negative consequences
  • a dysfunctional pattern
  • worsen overtime
  • involve shame, denial, and manipulation

Treatment for Addiction and Violence Against Women

Both can be overcome by breaking free from the destructive, unhealthy pattern. While both can be deadly combinations, both can also be overcome with the right treatment.

At Bridges of Hope, we help both the abuser and the abused to overcome substance or behavioral addictions, repair their relationships, and improve the quality of their life.

Talk to us today: 09175098826

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