Drugs, Alcohol and Domestic Abuse
Drugs and alcohol do not cause domestic abuse. Some people use drugs and alcohol when they abuse. Some victims may use drugs and alcohol to cope with the effects of abuse. Injuries may be greater when drugs and alcohol are involved in abuse.
Abuse may happen whether or not drugs or alcohol are involved.
This may be:
- Physical abuse.
- Emotional abuse.
- Keeping a person from having or making money.
- Keeping a person from seeing friends and family.
- Keeping the person from seeing a doctor.
An abusive person may try to say that they hurt the victim, because he or she was drunk or high. When alcohol and drugs are involved an abusive person may:
- Get a victim to use or become or addicted to drugs or alcohol.
- Buy drugs or alcohol for the victim.
- Force the victim to sell drugs.
- Force the victim to use drugs or alcohol.
- Keep the victim from recovery options.
- Blame the victim for the abuse because of alcohol or drug use.
- Force the victim into prostitution for drugs or money.
Drug and alcohol abuse are separate from domestic abuse. However, each problem can make the other worse.
To find the domestic abuse program nearest you, visit Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and click on Find Help or use the Find Help map on the home page.
To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-SAFE (TTY 1-800-787-3224).
To reach the National Substance Abuse Hotline, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit SAMHSA.