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

Brief Advice

Brief advice can be used to keep low-risk drinkers from developing problems. These are individuals who drink within recommended guidelines or who do not currently have problems. However, they may face problems in the future if current consumption patterns continue, or if they begin taking medications or drinking to escape painful situations. The following brief advice can be offered to such low-risk drinkers:

• Invite people who drink no more than the recommended level (one drink per day or seven drinks per week) to cut down. Advising the low-risk drinker education about the effects of excess alcohol, pregnancy, and safety may prevent adverse health consequences or violence.
• Offer the drinker a contract for abstention or reduction. If a person's alcohol problem is not longstanding, but the person is not willing to acknowledge that there is a problem, suggest that he or she refrain or cut back on drinking for 30 days. Check to see whether this improves the person's quality of life.