Intimate partner violence often drives individuals toward substance use as a way to cope with the trauma they endure. For many, the emotional, physical, and psychological scars left by an abusive partner can feel unbearable, leading them to seek temporary relief through drugs or alcohol. In treatment environments designed specifically for women, survivors of intimate partner violence can begin to heal from their trauma, regain their sense of self, and find hope for a future free from both abuse and addiction.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence affects 12 million people every year. The pattern of behavior is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship. This abuse can take many forms, including:
- Physical violence: Any form of physical harm.
- Emotional abuse: Manipulating, belittling, or controlling a partner’s emotions.
- Psychological intimidation: Threats, isolation, or making the victim feel unsafe or scared.
- Sexual abuse: Forcing sexual acts without consent or using sex as a form of control.
- Financial control: Restricting access to money, employment, or financial independence.
Women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence, often finding themselves trapped in relationships where they face multiple forms of abuse. In fact, between 1994 and 2010, about 4 in 5 victims of intimate partner violence were female. This pattern of power and control can leave lasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars.Â
The Overlap Between Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use
Intimate partner violence is often closely connected to substance use. In fact, survivors of intimate partner violence are 6 times more likely to have a substance use disorder. Substance use can provide a temporary escape but often exacerbates the trauma, leading to deeper cycles of addiction and continued abuse.
Intimate partner violence is often closely connected to substance use in several ways, including:
- Coping mechanism: Substance use may be used to numb the emotional pain of abuse.
- Abuser control: Abusers may introduce or encourage substance use to further manipulate their victims.
- Shame and stigma: Victims may feel too ashamed or judged to seek help for both the abuse and the addiction.
- Increased vulnerability: Substance use can make it harder to leave an abusive relationship, as victims may become more dependent on their abusers.
The connection between intimate partner violence and substance use creates a challenging environment for victims to break free from the cycle of abuse and addiction. Effective recovery for these individuals must address both their trauma and their substance use in a safe, supportive environment.
The Importance of Gender-Specific Substance Use Care
Women who have experienced intimate partner violence deserve a safe, understanding, and compassionate environment to heal from both their trauma and substance use disorder. Gender-specific care for women is not just about providing treatment in a single-gender space; it’s about addressing the unique challenges that women face, particularly those related to trauma and safety.
Women who have been victims of intimate partner violence need a space where they can feel secure and supported as they begin to process their trauma. Gender-specific treatment programs provide a nurturing environment where women can connect with others who have shared similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and trust. These programs allow women to explore their trauma and recovery without the added stress of co-ed dynamics, which can sometimes trigger feelings of vulnerability or fear.
Gender-Specific Treatment and Trauma-Informed Care For Women in Park City
At Wasatch Crest, we offer specialized care for women struggling with substance use. Our mountainside residential treatment center in Park City, provides a tranquil and therapeutic setting where women can heal at their own pace. In our gender-specific programs, women are encouraged to reclaim their voices, rediscover their sense of self-worth, develop healthy relationships, and build the skills necessary to maintain long-term recovery.
Our approach to healing integrates trauma-informed care as well as grief and loss therapy, which acknowledges the deep emotional scars left by intimate partner violence. We address both the physical aspects of addiction and the underlying emotional and psychological wounds that often drive substance use. By creating a safe, understanding space for women, we help them begin the process of healing from their trauma while simultaneously working toward recovery from addiction.
At our women’s Jupiter residential treatment center, women can begin to recover from the dual challenges of abuse and addiction in a safe and welcoming environment. Through compassionate guidance, trauma-informed care, and a supportive community, we aim to empower women to heal from the inside out, creating healthy, uplifting relationships along the way. Reach out to us to learn more.
