Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: A Dangerous Connection

Substance abuse and family violence often go hand in hand, creating a harmful cycle which affects individuals and families. You may wonder, “Is intoxication one of the leading causes of domestic violence”? Drugs and alcohol can lower self-control, increase aggression, and make conflicts worse. Many cases of domestic violence involve substance use, with abusers sometimes blaming their actions on being intoxicated. However, addiction is not an excuse for violence. Understanding how these issues are linked is key to finding solutions and offering help to those affected.

This cycle can also trap victims, as some turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their reality, while abusers use their addiction as a reason to continue their behavior. This makes it harder for victims to leave and for those with substance use problems to get help. Breaking this pattern requires support for both survivors and abusers struggling with addiction. By spreading awareness and providing resources, we can help stop the terrible cycle and give hope to those in need.

If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol and spousal abuse, Avenues Recovery is here to help. Reach out to us for the support and guidance you need to break the cycle of alcohol and domestic violence and rebuild a healthier future.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. It can occur in marriages, dating relationships, family settings, or live-in relationships. The abuse can take many forms, including:

• Physical Abuse – Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, choking, or using weapons.
• Emotional and Psychological Abuse – Manipulation, threats, gaslighting, humiliation, or constant criticism.
• Verbal Abuse – Yelling, name-calling, belittling, or making threats.
• Sexual Abuse – Forcing or pressuring someone into sexual acts without consent.
• Financial Abuse – Controlling a partner’s access to money, preventing them from working, or stealing their financial resources.
• Technological Abuse – Using technology to monitor, harass, or control a partner (e.g., tracking their phone, controlling social media).

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, or socioeconomic background. It often escalates over time and can have serious physical and emotional consequences for victims. Help is available through hotlines, shelters, and legal resources.

How Can Addiction Lead to Domestic Abuse?

Addiction can lead to domestic abuse by:

• Intensifying negative emotions
• Impairing judgment
• Increasing aggression

Financial strain from sustaining an addiction can also cause added stress and conflict, escalating tensions within relationships. Additionally, an addicted individual may manipulate or control their loved ones to enable their substance use, using intimidation or coercion to maintain their habits.

How Being Abused Can Lead to Addiction

Experiencing abuse can lead to addiction as victims often turn to substances as a way to cope with emotional pain, trauma, and stress. Abuse—whether physical, emotional, or sexual—can leave deep psychological scars, leading to feelings of shame, anxiety, depression, and low self-worth. To numb these overwhelming emotions, some individuals may seek relief in drugs or alcohol, which provide temporary escape and relief from their suffering. Over time, this coping mechanism can turn into dependence and then addiction, as the body and mind become reliant on substances to manage distress.

Additionally, abuse can destroy healthy coping skills, self-esteem, and support systems, making it harder for victims to seek help or believe they deserve a better life. In some cases, the abuser may even introduce substances to the victim in order to control or manipulate them further. Without proper support and intervention, the cycle of abuse and addiction can become deeply ingrained, making it difficult for survivors to break free from both their trauma and substance dependency.

Shared Characteristics of Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse

Domestic violence and substance abuse share many characteristics, and often feed into one another. Below is a chart which outlines the shared characteristics of substance abuse and domestic violence:

Effects of Addiction and Domestic Violence

Addiction harms both the body and mind, causing health problems, mood swings, and broken relationships. It can lead to job loss, financial struggles, and family neglect. Children of addicted parents often suffer emotionally and may face their own struggles later in life.

Domestic violence causes physical and emotional pain, leading to anxiety, PTSD, and low self-esteem. Victims of domestic violence often turn to substances to cope, only exacerbating matters. When addiction and domestic abuse occur together, the cycle is even more difficult to break. Support like therapy, rehab, and support programs can help people heal and rebuild their lives.

Signs of Domestic Violence Caused by Substance Abuse

Substance abuse often increases the risk of domestic violence, leading to physical, emotional, and psychological harm. One major sign is frequent and unpredictable aggression, where an individual becomes violent or threatening, especially while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Victims may have unexplained bruises, cuts, or other injuries, often making excuses or avoiding questions about them. Emotional abuse is also common, including constant criticism, humiliation, and manipulation, making the victim feel trapped and powerless.

Other signs of substance abuse and domestic violence include:

• Financial control, where the abuser spends money on substances while restricting the victim’s access to funds.
• Isolation is another warning sign, as the abuser may prevent the victim from seeing family and friends to maintain control.
• Substance abuse can also cause mood swings, leading to episodes of extreme anger followed by guilt or apologies.
• Victims may develop anxiety, depression, or signs of trauma, such as fearfulness or withdrawal from social activities.

Recognizing these signs is crucial in seeking help through therapy, support groups, or shelters to break the cycle of abuse.

{Image of hand outstretched for credit card/ cash, while another person holds the money tight}

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Substance Use and Domestic Violence

Dual diagnosis treatment for substance use and domestic violence requires a comprehensive approach, as the two phenomena often overlap. Integrated programs will address both issues through therapy, trauma-informed care, and support groups. Substance use treatment may include detox, medication-assisted treatment, rehab programs, and peer support such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

For partner abuse and SUD, intervention programs focus on accountability and consequences for perpetrators, while survivors may need safety planning, shelters, and counseling. In some cases, couples’ therapy and parenting support can help when it is safe to do so.

Legal and community resources also play a key role. Restraining orders, job training, and housing assistance can all help survivors gain independence, while community programs offer ongoing support. A combination of medical care, counseling, and legal help is often needed to ensure long-term recovery and safety.

If substance use leads you to harm your loved ones, or you are a victim of substance abuse and domestic violence, Avenues Recovery Center is here to help. Our warm and caring admissions team will provide you with a free evaluation and guide you to the program most suited to you. Hope and healing is possible. At Avenues, our professional staff will hold your hand every step of the way. Contact us today to begin your journey toward recovery from addiction, and break the cycle of abuse.