Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women
Addressing Alcohol Abuse With Men in Treatment For Violence
The incidence of alcohol abuse among men in batterers' programs is between 50 percent and 100 percent, depending on the proportion of the men who were referred by the criminal justice system.20 Batterers referred by the courts are more likely to be substance abusers than those who are self-referred. Men who are violent outside their families are also more likely to abuse alcohol than those men who are only violent at home.21
Module 3 briefly addressed risk factors for family violence and general characteristics of men who batter. It is important to remember that alcohol does not cause battering. However, for most batterers, alcohol abuse may:
- Increase the risk that he will misinterpret his partner's behavior.
- Heighten his belief that violent behavior is due to alcohol or drugs.
- Make him think less clearly about the repercussions of his actions.
- Impair his ability to tell when a victim is injured.
- Lessen the likelihood that he will benefit from punishment, education, or treatment.
Home | Courses | How to Use | Contact Us
For questions or comments, please visit our Contact Us page.
Last Updated: 6/14/04
SAMHSA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
