Approximately one half of men who enter treatment programs for battering also have substance abuse problems. These problems range from misuse to abuse to a dependency on drugs and alcohol. Alcohol problems are the most prevalent with clients also reporting drug abuse. The drug issues range from abuse of prescription drugs to the use of illegal substances such as cannabis to an increase in the number of men using crack cocaine.
Men who are violent towards their partners and have a parallel problem with substance abuse are more likely to inflict more serious injuries and have a higher risk of re-offending. These men also have a tendency to blame their violence on the substances or excuse their violent behaviors, claiming they were in an alcohol or drug-induced 'blackout'. While the consumption of substances does not cause a batterer to become violent, it may lower an already diminished ability to control his own actions.
There is considerable evidence of a relationship between drugs and economic compulsive violence. Robbery typifies economic compulsive violence. The strong correlation between the frequent use of expensive and addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine and involvement in crimes to generate cash is well known (Johnson et al. 1985). Costly drug use is clearly an important correlate of the threatened or actual violence associated with robbery-an offense that generates quick cash that can be spent to purchase drugs.
This violence has been prominently featured in the media in recent years. The death and bloodshed associated with the drug distribution system take a heavy toll on the market participants themselves. Moreover, this violence often spills beyond those involved in illegal drug transactions and affects non participants directly through injury or death and indirectly by disrupting community life. As discussed later, however, systemic drug violence ought not be viewed.....
