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

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Some signs of alcohol abuse may signal other health-related problems and do not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of alcohol problems. Any client may present with one or more signs or symptoms.

General signs of alcohol abuse include:

• Odor on the breath, obvious intoxication
• Difficulty focusing, glazed appearance of the eyes
• Unusually passive or combative behavior or irritability
• Unexplained bruises and accidents
• Flushed skin
• Loss of memory (blackouts)
• Unusual focus on availability and consumption of alcohol at social or professional activities
• Gradual change in work, school attendance, quality of work, grades, or discipline;
• Absenteeism (especially on Mondays)
• Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper;
• Withdrawal from responsibility;
• General changes and deterioration in overall appearance (sudden in adolescents), attitude and personal hygiene;
• Association with known substance abusers;
• Unusual borrowing of money from friends, coworkers, or parents; and
• Secretive behavior regarding actions and possessions and poorly hidden attempts to avoid detection or attention.¹⁵
• Impaired interpersonal relationships, alienation from close family¹⁶