Substance Use as a Correlate of Violence in Intimate Lesbian Relationships

Abstract

This article examines the problem of domestic violence as related to substance abuse in lesbian relationships. One hundred and four self-identified lesbians responded to a 70-item mail survey. Thirty-nine reported a past or present abusive relationship. Sixty-four percent reported alcohol or drugs were involved prior to or during incidents of battering. Respondents' frequency of drinking significantly correlated with committing abusive acts as well as with being the victim of abusive acts. Efforts must be initiated to improve the delivery of human services to lesbian batterers and victims and to encourage cooperation and cross-fertilization between practitioners from the domestic violence and substance abuse fields.

The Intersection of Mutual Partner Violence and Substance Use Among Urban Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals

“…Based on previous research indicating that victims and perpetrators of partner violence report higher rates of substance use than those not experiencing partner violence (e.g., Schilit and Lie 1990;Harms 1995), we postulate that stressors that produce both substance use and partner violence will lead to the intersection of substance use and mutual partner violence. In other words, we posit that since substance use may be either a causal factor for intimate partner violence or a means of coping with partner violence, those experiencing mutual partner violence leading will have elevated levels of substance use since there are more pathways to this intersection.…”

“…A number of studies indicate that alcohol consumption often accompanies partner abuse in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships (Field and Caetano 2005;Peterman and Dixon 2003;Schilit and Lie 1990). This association remains complicated as substance use may not be a simple cause of partner abuse per se, for there are many individuals who experience problems with various substances yet remain nonviolent (Bennett 1995;Walker 1984), yet clearly intoxication plays a role in enabling aggressive behaviors.…”

“…Beyond the broader trend, this connection has been specifically found in GLB samples. In a study of lesbians (n ¼ 104), Schilit and Lie (1990) indicated that 37% of their respondents were in abusive relationships, and ''64% of both batterers and victims reported using alcohol or drugs prior to or during the incidents of battering'' (p. 59). Similarly, in a study of 393 gay men, Harms (1995) reported 39% of the respondents were intoxicated during a conflict and 26% used violence during the domestic dispute.…”

The substance user at risk of harm to self or others: Assessment and treatment issues

“…These include persons with psychiatric illness, domestic-violence perpetrators, and sexually assaultive individuals (Cuffel et al, 1994;Irons & Schneider, 1997;Roizen, 1997;Schilit, Lie, & Montagne, 1990;Teets, 1997). Unfortunately, the prevalence rates reported in these studies are acknowledged even by their authors to be open to challenge.…”

“…In the case of violent patients, consideration of Tarasoff concerns (duty to warn potential victims of violence) also must be addressed. Long-term treatment should include psychotherapy for both substance abuse and violence; too often, one of these two issues is ignored in aftercare treatment plans after the initial crisis situation has been addressed and the patient has been stabilized (Schilit et al, 1990).…”