Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence
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Alcohol or drug use is present in an estimated 65 to 80 percent of all domestic violence incidents. Families affected by domestic violence typically experience a higher rate of alcohol and or drug use than families not affected by battering.

While the batterer may blame substance use for the battering, it is important to know that alcohol and drugs do not cause violence; however, the violence and abuse may be more severe during use. Domestic violence and substance abuse are two different problems and each requires specialized intervention.
(Source: Domestic Violence Information and Referral Handbook*)

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