Substance dependence is one of the mental disorders that arise as a result of the use of such substances, whether it is alcohol, nicotine or so-called hard drugs.
A person addicted to a substance repeatedly continues to use it even when it has already a clearly harmful effect on his/her health. Such a person’s behaviour affects his/her relationships as well.
An addicted person loses the ability to lead a normal life – to take care of himself/herself, his/her loved ones, to study or work, and he/she often limits the relationships only to other users of the addictive substance.
From the medical point of view, addiction can be considered a disease. However, even this is not a reason to explain, trivialize or justify violence that happens, for example, after drinking alcohol.
Research on violence provides information on the combination of a number of power and control tactics that form a pattern of abusive behaviour in couple relationships. They are rooted in broader structures of gender inequality and sexism. Many people understand violence only as physical violence. Abuse of women can take the form of various severe forms of physical, psychological or sexual violence that lead to intimidation, control or dominance (mostly) over women. Any form of harm, but also psychological, sexual or economic coercion, can be understood as violence.
Gender-based violence against women is the result of social relations with an unequal distribution of power, where women occupy a subordinate position – a position of gender inequality.
Violence is an accompanying phenomenon to addictions, which can be the cause or consequence of the problematic behaviour of a person or a partner. It is not possible to tolerate any kind of violence, even that which is committed as a cause or consequence of addiction.
Possible assistance
Most people addicted to substances cannot do without professional help. A person usually seeks it when life with addiction significantly outweighs the positive effects of drugs, while others seek help only after the pressure from their environment.
Violent behavior occurring in people’s lives cannot be resolved without addressing addictions in the first place. Both topics – violence and addiction – are equal and need to be addressed simultaneously, or it is necessary to start by addressing addiction to a substance or substances, including alcohol, and risky activities. Without coping with addiction, it is difficult to deal with violence.
In our organization BUDÚCNOSŤ, n.o. we work with people experiencing violence in the context of addiction based on the principles and rules of work in favour of victims of violence and also people suffering from addiction to substances. We work with clients individually and also through therapeutic communities. We also work with children who are part of abusive relationships or families.
For more information, read our texts or contact us through the website: https://buducnost.eu/kontakt/
