Basic HTML Version
Systemic thinking is particularly important when substance misuse is an
issue for the victim, the perpetrator, or both. The relationship with drugs or
alcohol will have a significant impact on the relationship between couples and
other family members, as the dynamic can be complicated and the risk to a
victim increased. Apart from the higher levels of violence reported,
opportunities for control and manipulation are increased if a victim is drug or
alcohol dependent. Levels of secrecy and shame can also increase, and these
become powerful barriers to asking for help and support. These issues also
need to be understood in the context of cultural diversity.
Substance use and domestic abuse constitute two of the three major risk
factors for child abuse and neglect, as identified by the Munro review of
child protection in 2011. In acknowledgement of this, the training also
supports practitioners to identify the impact and risks for children who may
be living in the household.
Practitioners have identified that one of the key issues they face when
confronted with substance misuse and domestic abuse is ‘where do I start?’ It is
often the case that drug and alcohol services will not work with clients who are
victims of domestic abuse, and domestic abuse agencies, particularly refuges,
feel they do not have the facilities to support substance misusing victims. The
need for joined-up working has never been greater and this joint initiative will help
practitioners find the best way to support clients in this situation.
The course has been accredited by the University of Bath at Level 4 and
consists of four days of teaching. The training provides practical information
alongside the theoretical approach and includes the most up-to-date
evidence-based learning. Learners to date have reported a decrease in levels
of anxiety following the course and increased confidence in supporting these
vulnerable clients.
For more information or to sign up visit
http://www.caada.org.uk/learning_development/CPD-Substance-Use-about-the-
course.html
Cinzia Altobelli is leader of therapeutic services at Action on Addiction’s
Families Plus service
‘According to research...
substance misuse is a factor
in more than half of high-risk
domestic abuse cases.’
DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS WITH SUBSTANCE
MISUSE ISSUES ARE AMONG THE MOST
VULNERABLE, ISOLATED AND CHALLENGING TO
ENGAGE.
They suffer from severe and frequent
abuse, and receiving the right support from skilled
and experienced professionals can help to make a
real difference to their lives.
According to research by Quigley and Leonard in
2000, and White and Chen in 2002, substance misuse is a factor in more than
half of high-risk domestic abuse cases, with alcohol likely to contribute to
‘intimate partner violence’ in a variety of ways. Levels of consumption affect the
likelihood and severity of violence, and alcohol appears to be ‘particularly
important in escalating conflict’.
This increased level of risk to domestic abuse victims when there is an
underlying drug or alcohol problem – and current lack of services and practitioners
properly equipped to support them – has led to the development of an innovative
new training course for professionals. Families Plus (a division of Action on
Addiction) and Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA), two leading
national charities tackling addiction and domestic abuse, have combined their
expertise to develop and deliver a training course for professionals entitled
Substance use and domestic violence: providing a risk-led response
.
The new joint training looks in depth at key issues faced by practitioners from
both sectors, and encourages learners to explore possible differences in agency
approach. The substance misuse sector traditionally favours a counselling, talking
therapy approach, while the domestic abuse sector supports clients with skills
that are more likely to be based on risk identification and advocacy. Space is
provided for learners to reflect on their practice and consider new ways of
assessing and offering support to their clients, while opportunity to connect with
professionals from both fields adds to the learning environment, with facilitators
encouraging participants to share difficulties and best practice.
Substance use and domestic violence
uses a systemic approach to help
practitioners support clients. This encourages practitioners to realise that
individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another, and that to
effectively engage a client all elements of their situation should be taken into
consideration, and theories and techniques give professionals the skills to see
their clients as interconnected and interdependent individuals who are more
fully understood in the context of their ‘system’.
The course includes time to look at the relationship between the user and
his or her substance misuse, and how the effects of addiction impact the non-
using members of the family. The struggle faced by significant others who are
non-users is often overlooked in the treatment of substance misuse and
Families Plus has long used the phrase, ‘You don’t have to misuse alcohol or
drugs to suffer from alcohol or drug misuse’.
October 2012 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 15
Training |
Domestic abuse
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
New partnership-led training aims to help victims of domestic abuse
incidents where substances are an issue, says
Cinzia Altobelli
JOINING
FORCES