Facts About Family Violence & Substance Abuse
There are many forms of abusive behavior:
- emotional abuse
- psychological abuse
- neglect
- physical assault
- sexual assault
- homicide
The primary victims are women, children, and seniors including people with disabilities. Women are more frequently victimized than males and in most cases the perpetrators are male.
Substance abuse refers to the inappropriate use of any drug or mood-altering substance. It can result in personal, family, health, social, legal and financial problems. Substance abuse is use that occurs:
- too frequently
- in excessive amounts
- over a long period of time
- in the wrong combination with other drugs
Both legal and illegal drugs can be involved including alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medications, illicit drugs and solvents. Alcohol and other drugs may be used to cope with physical, emotional or psychological pain of family violence.