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Addiction and Domestic Violence

Course on domestic violence and substance abuse. Earn 6 CE credits.

This is a useful course to cross train professionals on issues relevant to domestic violence and addictions.  Content is based on research and best practices. The study discusses the complexities including false assumptions, variant terminology, victim-specific information such as causes for substance misuse, and barriers to successful completion of treatment. Appropriate course selection for those seeking to meet addiction certification education requirements.

Developed by: Karen Albig Smith, LMFT, LCAS, MAC, CAP, SAP, SAE

Last revision:  2024

Description: This study provides information relevant to the treatment and case management of domestic violence victims and perpetrators who are involved with substance or alcohol abuse.  The intersection of these two fields complicates intervention services for both problems.  The study discusses the complexities including false assumptions, variant terminology, victim-specific information such as causes for substance misuse, and barriers to successful completion of treatment.  Participants will learn how to implement a safety plan and learn conflicts that emerge for women victims in substance abuse treatment and in 12-step recovery. 

An overview of Lenore Walker’s cycle of violence opens the perpetrator segment of the course, which also includes, explanations of abuse, signs that a perpetrator is or is not changing.  A matrix for organizing risk factors is discussed and information pertinent to relevant federal laws is covered.  Recommended guidelines for intervention services for substance-involved domestic violence victims and perpetrators conclude the program.  Finally, the second section is the Wingspread conference report containing a candid discussion of the difficulties in the system that works with the domestic violence population.  The report offers the best thinking for understanding the complexity of the populations involved, concerns for assessment and triage, and intervention.

Objectives:
1. Learners will be able to identify patterns of domestic violence and substance abuse to enhance patient assessment and education.
2. Learners will be able to describe the progression of violence and its role in early intervention.
3. Learners will be able to utilize assessment of barriers, safety planning, and lethality assessment to facilitate safety for victims.
4. Learners will be able to discuss how federal laws, the justice system, and societal tensions impact work with families affected by domestic violence.
5. Learners will be able to list available federal and community resources for victim advocacy and perpetrator intervention.
Learning Assessment: Learners will be able to:
List four false assumptions concerning domestic violence and substance abuse.
Compare and contrast terminology variances across chemical dependency, batterers, and victims.
Identify two causes of substance misuse.
Describe five barriers specific to substance abusing partners.
Implement a safety plan for victims of domestic violence.
Discuss four conflicts between 12-step programs and recovery for victims.
Describe the Self-in-Relation Model.
List and describe the three stages of Lenore Walker’s Cycle of Violence. Identify six perspectives to explain woman abuse.
Identify signs that a batterer is and is not changing.
Describe Reiss and Roth’s matrix for organizing risk factors for violent behavior.
Identify three federal laws that affect domestic violence situations. 
Explain the guidelines for substance abuse and domestic violence intervention efforts re victim safety, self- determination, abuser accountability and systems responsibility.
Discuss the conceptual and practical tensions hampering effective work with families affected by domestic violence.
List five central sets of issues impacting the justice system and the provider community.
Identify five different violence patterns.
Describe the complexities regarding appropriate outcomes for children.

CE Credits:  6 (NBCC Hours - 6)

Training Agenda:  
Hour One: Introduction:   Four false assumptions, Terminology: compare and contrast,  Two causes of substance misuse.
Hour Two: Barriers specific to victims of substance abusing partners.
Hour Three: Safety plan for victims,  Four conflicts between 12-step programs and recovery for victims.
Hour Four: Self-in-relation model,  Three stage cycle of violence, Six perspectives to explain the abuse of women.
Hour Five:  Is he changing or is he not? Matrix for organizing risk factors,  It’s the law.
Hour Six:  Best practice guidelines for substance abuse and domestic violence, The Wingspread Conference report.

CE Broker#:  20-10070

Methods: Pre-test, study guide, posttest and evaluation, internet sources via URLs, Q&A by email.

Content Areas: Domestic violence, Understanding addiction, Clinical evaluation and assessment, Abuse and trauma, Special populations/problems, Behavior disorders, Social and cultural foundations, Treatment knowledge, Helping relationship.

Purpose:  Practitioners completing this course will be better prepared to intervene with substance abuse/domestic violence populations, and aware of the difficulties they may encounter and further equip the practitioner to intervene and improve outcomes and client retention.

Target Audience:  Social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, mental health counselors, nurses, employee assistance professionals, addiction professionals, behavioral health technicians, and other allied professionals who may work with these populations.

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Online Course

CE Broker#:
20-10070
CE Credits:
6 (NBCC Hours - 6)
Price:
$60.00

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