How Alcohol can Play a Significant Role in Intimate Partner Violence
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Alcohol consumption, especially at harmful and hazardous levels, is a major contributor to the occurrence of intimate partner violence.” Alcohol plays a significant role in many domestic violence cases. According WHO, “evidence suggests that alcohol use increases the occurrence and severity of domestic violence.” The issue is not unique to the United States, countries across the globe face similar dilemmas.
Risk Factors
WHO identified a number of risk factors for alcohol-related domestic violence including:
- Heavier, more frequent drinking
- Fair or poor mental health
- Relationship dissatisfaction
- Differences in alcohol consumption between partners
- Societal beliefs about alcohol consumption, gender roles and violent behavior
Impact
The World Health Organization believes that the impacts of domestic violence or intimate partner violence are far-reaching. Alcohol-related domestic violence can lead to physical injury or even death depending on the severity of the violence. In other cases, the violence may lead to emotional distress including depression and attempted suicide. In some circumstances, the results of intimate partner violence have proven deadly. According to WHO “Intimate partner violence is more severe and more likely to result in physical injury when the perpetrator has consumed alcohol.”
Prevention
There needs to be more focused research on how to prevent alcohol-related domestic violence, but WHO has identified several “generic strategies” that may help reduce excessive drinking and thus help to reduce alcohol-related domestic violence. These strategies include:
- Reducing alcohol availability
- Regulating alcohol prices
- Treatment for alcohol use disorders
- Screening and brief interventions
It is imperative that if you or someone you love has an unhealthy reliance on alcohol you get help as soon as possible. Today, there are more treatment options than ever for people struggling with alcohol use disorder.