The Link Between Opioids and Interpersonal Violence.

• Author: Patrick, Wendy L.

RESEARCH REVEALS THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE TO BOTH SELF AND OTHERS

TEASER: We have heard about the connection between alcohol and violence, what about opioids? Research has some interesting answers.

The connection between alcohol and domestic violence has long been established, but what about other drugs? Many people might guess there will be a link between drugs like methamphetamine or cocaine, and domestic abuse--and they would be right. But what about opioids? Some might be surprised to hear about the link between opioid addiction and interpersonal violence. Victims who live with a partner who is addicted are not. Research corroborates this link.

OPIOIDS AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

R. Stone and E.F. Rothman (2019) studied the link between opioid use and intimate partner violence (IPV).1 They sought to understand how common opioid use was for both perpetrators and victims of IPV, and the prevalence of IPV among people who have used opioids. They found that IPV is frequent among people who use opioids, as compared to the general population.

Regarding victimization, they explain that empirical research provides at least two explanations for the co-occurrence of IPV victimization and actual substance abuse disorders (SUDs). First, they note that victims may use substances to cope with the physical pain of IPV, which can include back pain, headaches, abdominal problems, gynecological problems, and even chronic disease. Stone and Rothman also note that IPV victimization is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), recognizing that depression and anxiety each elevates risk for SUD. In addition, they note that other possible explanations for the link between SUDs and IPV include the fact that the pharmacological effects of some types of substances may increase irritability and aggression, SUDs may create or worsen problems with impulse control, intoxication may create cognitive distortions and misperceptions about a partner's behavior, and couples with one partner suffering from a SUD might be susceptible to higher levels of conflict about substance use, money, or related topics.

Stone and Rothman note that studying the link between opioids and IPV is challenging for several reasons, one of which is the small number of studies on opioid use among IPV perpetrators or survivors. They also note that the majority of studies of IPV among people who have used opioids consist of individuals receiving methadone treatment, which might not...