Domestic Violence, Mental Health and Substance Abuse
by Rebecca Hieronymi
Domestic violence can have devastating effects on a person’s mental health and those effects can be amplified when the victim also struggles with substance use. When an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use disorder, they are at greater risk of being controlled by an abusive partner. Abusive partners may try to undermine a victim’s mental health or substance use disorder treatment and recovery by preventing or discouraging them from getting help or taking prescriptions. These abuse tactics can increase a victim’s depression, PTSD symptoms, substance use, and suicidality.