IJCM_353A: Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use : A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Exposure to intimate partner violence can have lasting mental and physical health consequences and often goes unreported because lack of accessibility or awareness about assured care points for the victims of the same. Substance use can be a risk factor for both perpetrating IPV and being a victim of IPV. Community health-care facilities can prove to be a valuable care point for identifying victims of IPV if the available literature supports the hypothesis that substance use disorders are an important associated factor for IPV. Objective: To identify the substance use correlates of Intimate Partner Violence against women Methodology: A review of the available literature was done covering a period from 2000-2020 in English language across Google Scholar and PubMed. Primary studies and secondary analysis studies about association of IPV against females with substance use disorders were included. The review included both quantitative (cross-sectional, longitudinal) and qualitative articles. Results: After full text reading, 27 articles met screening criteria. The prevalence of intimate partner violence among females when their partner had a history of substance use ranged from 20.9 %to 90%. Substance use which included alcohol, tobacco, heroin, khat and other recreational drugs were consistently related to intimate partner violence. IPV involved emotional, physical and sexual violence. It was found that many victims of IPV turn to substance use or have a history of the same. Conclusion: There is a relation between substance use and intimate partner violence. This can prove to be beneficial in directing future efforts towards the development of policies and awareness regarding identification and integrated treatments for co-occurring partner violence and substance use disorders.