CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol abuse is a type of drinking that is accompanied by one or more of the following behaviors within a 12-month period:⁶

• Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities;
• Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery;
• Recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested while under the influence of alcohol or physically hurting someone while drunk; and
• Continuing to drink despite ongoing relationship problems caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.

Alcohol dependence can include all of the signs of alcohol abuse but is more serious. The person may be unable to stop or control his or her drinking, even after trying. There may be tolerance or withdrawal.⁷ This person is said to be addicted to alcohol.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th Edition (DSM-IV) is the manual that most professionals who work in addiction use to help diagnose anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

In the DSM-IV, substance abuse is defined as "a maladaptive pattern of substance use characterized by hazardous or compulsive use or the presence of role impairment or recurrent legal problems, but without evidence of tolerance or withdrawal." Most people who meet the criteria for substance abuse eventually will meet the criteria for alcohol dependence if they continue to use.⁸