| People often say my partner is abusive when he/she | | | | domestic abuse is more of a psychosocial addiction |
| drinks. And from here, they deduce that they are | | | | to control. Knowing this distinction makes it possible |
| dealing with partner or spousal abuse. However, that | | | | to select the appropriate intervention for one's |
| may or may not necessarily be so. | | | | condition/situation. You wouldn't want treatment for |
| How do you distinguish between abuse associated | | | | one condition if you indeed suffered from another |
| with alcohol and/or drug abuse from abuse | | | | condition, would you? |
| associated with "intimate partner violence" (also | | | | Yet more often then not, couples in abusive |
| known as partner / spousal abuse, domestic abuse, | | | | relationships quickly cling to one type of intervention |
| domestic violence), as it's defined in the professional | | | | without recognizing the importance of this differential |
| literature? Here's how. | | | | diagnosis. Even if the couple is experiencing both |
| Key Distinction: | | | | domestic violence and substance abuse, each of |
| Violence is actually the by-product of domestic abuse | | | | these conditions must be treated for what it is, not |
| and it can be a by-product of alcohol and/or drug | | | | for what it may look like at first glance. |
| abuse. As a by-product of substance abuse, it may | | | | I have seen numerous cases in which a substance |
| present as: a) reckless conduct and loss of inhibitions | | | | abuse treatment protocol has been used for couples |
| or b) drug-seeking behavior. | | | | suffering from partner or spousal abuse solely, or in |
| With respect to violence that is a manifestation | | | | combination with substance abuse. Unfortunately, the |
| by-product of control: the alcoholic and the drug | | | | net result can increase the risk factors for the |
| addict may use violence to control his/her access to | | | | battered partner. |
| their substance. Whereas, the partner or spousal | | | | If you are in an abusive relationship, seek to clarify |
| abuser uses violence to control his/her victim. | | | | for yourself if what you're dealing with is intimate |
| It is common knowledge that substance abuse is an | | | | partner violence and/or substance abuse before you |
| addiction to one's substance of choice; however | | | | begin a regimen of intervention. |