Introduction Those who study family violence disagree as to whether or not a correlation exists between substance abuse and domestic violence. According to Wallace and Roberson (2014), the Substance Abuse Theory establishes the idea that drugs and alcohol either contribute to or cause family violence. These same experts seem to disregard the relationship between family violence and substance abuse. They note the lack of evidence that substances directly cause family violence, pointing to the fact that the theory fails to explain why family violence does not occur in every case that involves substance abuse (Wallace & Roberson, 2004).
Although there is not a proven cause and effect relationship between substance abuse and family violence, …show more content…
Theories that attempt to explain causes of family violence are discussed, establishing a foundation for the relevance of substance abuse. Statistics are evaluated, further pinpointing substance use and abuse as contributing to instances of domestic violence. The facts reviewed support considering substance abuse a form of abuse in and of itself, as well as the physiological effects of substance use and abuse. The position of the victim is also weighed, establishing an extended presence of substance abuse in households suffering with family violence. Finally, the importance of acknowledging the relationship between substances and domestic violence is discussed, noting the difference in approaches used to treat these problems. Relevant literature is cited in order to establish factual information, elaborate on ideas, and support conclusions that are …show more content…
These theories can be grouped into three classifications, including: the psychiatric model, social-psychological model, and sociocultural model (Wallace & Roberson, 2014). The substance abuse theory lies within the psychiatric model of family violence, but substance abuse is an underlying characteristic of other theories and models.
The psychopathology theory considers mental illness as a contributing factor to family violence. Various groups maintain that alcoholism is a disease that impacts the addict in many different ways. Substance addiction and alcoholism has been called a “tripartite disease, [including a] physical allergy, a mental obsession, and a spiritual malady…from a contemporary scientific point of view” (Segal, 2013; p.297). The American Medical Association (AMA) has called alcoholism a chronic and primary disease that is often progressive and fatal (Segal, 2013). The AMA also notes that environmental, psychosocial, and genetic factors influence the development and manifestation of alcoholism. Various characterizations of alcohol include: impaired control over drinking, a preoccupation with substance use, the use of alcohol despite the negative consequences, and a distortion of thinking concerning those consequences, i.e. denial. These symptoms may be continuous or periodic (Segal, 2013). When weighing the inclusion of substance abuse, notably alcoholism,
Although there is not a proven cause and effect relationship between substance abuse and family violence, …show more content…
Theories that attempt to explain causes of family violence are discussed, establishing a foundation for the relevance of substance abuse. Statistics are evaluated, further pinpointing substance use and abuse as contributing to instances of domestic violence. The facts reviewed support considering substance abuse a form of abuse in and of itself, as well as the physiological effects of substance use and abuse. The position of the victim is also weighed, establishing an extended presence of substance abuse in households suffering with family violence. Finally, the importance of acknowledging the relationship between substances and domestic violence is discussed, noting the difference in approaches used to treat these problems. Relevant literature is cited in order to establish factual information, elaborate on ideas, and support conclusions that are …show more content…
These theories can be grouped into three classifications, including: the psychiatric model, social-psychological model, and sociocultural model (Wallace & Roberson, 2014). The substance abuse theory lies within the psychiatric model of family violence, but substance abuse is an underlying characteristic of other theories and models.
The psychopathology theory considers mental illness as a contributing factor to family violence. Various groups maintain that alcoholism is a disease that impacts the addict in many different ways. Substance addiction and alcoholism has been called a “tripartite disease, [including a] physical allergy, a mental obsession, and a spiritual malady…from a contemporary scientific point of view” (Segal, 2013; p.297). The American Medical Association (AMA) has called alcoholism a chronic and primary disease that is often progressive and fatal (Segal, 2013). The AMA also notes that environmental, psychosocial, and genetic factors influence the development and manifestation of alcoholism. Various characterizations of alcohol include: impaired control over drinking, a preoccupation with substance use, the use of alcohol despite the negative consequences, and a distortion of thinking concerning those consequences, i.e. denial. These symptoms may be continuous or periodic (Segal, 2013). When weighing the inclusion of substance abuse, notably alcoholism,