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

General Guidelines for Identifying Clients Who May Be Affected by Alcohol or Other Drug Use

• Look for change in behavior, attitude, or appearance.
• Identify behavior that doesn't seem right.
  • Client cannot stay awake.
  • Client is unable to sit still.
  • Client is disoriented or confused for no apparent reason.
  • Client laughs or cries at inappropriate times.
  • Client displays rapid shift in mood.
  • Client's speech is slurred.
  • Client's speech is rapid and loud, and it is difficult to follow his/her train of thought.
• Do not automatically assume behavior is caused by alcohol or other drug use. Rule out other causes first.
  • Client is physically ill (e.g., flu).
  • Client is upset about some obvious problem (e.g., has been victimized by sexual partner or other person; client is concerned about his/her son's gang involvement).
  • Client's physician has recently prescribed new medication, particularly for psychiatric reasons.
• Do not argue with the client concerning his/her use of alcohol or other drugs.

Source:

Domestic Violence/Substance Abuse Interdisciplinary Task Force, Illinois Department of Human Services. (2000, July). Safety and sobriety: Best practices in domestic violence and substance abuse. Springfield, IL. Bureau of Domestic Violence Prevention, Illinois Department of Human Services.