Is intimate partner violence associated with the use of alcohol treatment services? Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the prevalence of alcohol treatment use by intimate partner violence (IPV) type (any IPV, victimization, and perpetration) among problem drinkers and (2) the relationship between alcohol treatment use and IPV, by IPV type, in the general population.


METHODS
The sample was drawn from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white cohabiting respondents 18-49 years of age and who reported one or more alcohol problems in the past year are included in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between alcohol treatment use and IPV.


RESULTS
The prevalence of alcohol treatment use was significantly greater among individuals exposed to IPV, regardless of IPV type (7.4%, 7.8%, and 6.9% among those with any IPV, victimization, and perpetration, respectively) compared with those without reported IPV (2.8%, 2.8%, and 3.0%, respectively). Any IPV (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-3.65) and IPV victimization (AOR = 1.93, CI: 1.00-3.73), but not perpetration, were associated with alcohol treatment use. Male gender, alcohol abuse/dependence, illicit drug abuse/dependence, and serious mental illness were positively and significantly associated with alcohol treatment in all three models.


CONCLUSIONS
IPV, especially victimization, may have a substantial impact on alcohol treatment services. Findings highlight the potential to identify IPV in alcohol treatment settings and provide referral and intervention services.
Lipsky
Sherry
S
University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Dallas Regional Campus, Dallas, Texas, USA. lipsky@u.washington.edu
Caetano
Raul
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003710:Demography; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States