CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

Supporting Sobriety

There are many ways in which domestic violence agencies can support individuals who struggle with the issues of alcohol abuse:

• Helping staff deal with their own feelings about substance abuse.
• Minimizing blame for client's use or relapse.
• Helping clients understand how current relationship may be contributing to their alcohol problems (particularly in cases of couples).
• Helping victims find an alternative means to replace the substance-induced sense of power clients may feel.
• Including plans for continued sobriety in the safety planning. Help the victim understand the ways an abuser might try to jeopardize her sobriety before she leaves the shelter or has received all of the advocacy-based services offered.

Encouraging her to find and help her link to alcohol abuse treatment resources and abstinence-based support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.