CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Getting The Basics
2. Substance Abuse
3. Violence Against Women
4. Violent Men
5. Alcohol and Violence
6. Alcohol, Drugs and Sexual Assault (Date Rape)
7. Preventing Sexual Assault
8. After a Rape or Sexual Assault
9. Assistance - Women
10. Assistance - Men
11. Legal Options

Supplements
Resources
Glossary
Fact Sheets

It Won't Happen to Me:
Substance Abuse-Related Violence Against Women for Anyone Concerned About The Issues

Module Content Introduction What Is a Drink? Alcoholism Behavior Associated with Substance Abuse How To Tell If Someone Has a Drinking Problem Risk Factors for Substance Abuse Effects of Substance Abuse on Children Summary References

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is defined as having four major symptoms:

• Craving: A strong need to drink;
• Impaired control: The inability to limit the amount one drinks on any given occasion;
• Physical dependence: Having withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, sweating, shakiness) when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking; and
• Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel its effects.³

These symptoms also occur in individuals who abuse cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and other drugs. The definition of alcoholism has little to do with what kind of alcohol one drinks, how long one has been drinking, or even how much alcohol one consumes. It is based mainly on a person's uncontrollable need for alcohol.

Many alcoholics cannot just use willpower to stop drinking. They frequently feel a powerful craving for alcohol. This need can be as strong as the need for food or water.

Although some people are able to recover alone, most alcoholics need outside help. People may wonder why some people can drink and have no problem with alcohol whereas others cannot. Many people have a genetic predisposition to alcohol addiction because of a family history. A person's surroundings, such as peer influences and the availability of alcohol, also make a difference.

Inherited and environmental influences are both risk factors. A child of an alcoholic parent will not automatically develop alcoholism. However, he or she has a higher likelihood of developing problems with alcohol than a child with no alcoholism in his or her family.