A Return to Where It All Began: Reflections on AOD Use and Family Violence

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Erratum: July’s newsletter was incorrectly sent out with the title: The Crucial Role of Touch Points in Supporting (or Discouraging) Change. This blog post will appear in a future newsletter as part of Ken’s conversations around Touch Points. July’s blog post is actually A Return to Where It All Began: Reflections on AOD Use and Family Violence. Please enjoy Ken’s reflections below, and we apologise for the confusion.

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself back in familiar territory: running a two-hour workshop at the Tasmanian Alcohol & Other Drug Conference. The topic? Engaging users of domestic, family, and sexualised violence (DFSV) who also struggle with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. It felt like coming full circle.

The session took me all the way back to 1983, when I facilitated my very first group of men who were using violence in their relationships. That group was based in an AOD clinic, and every single one of those men was attending because of their substance use. Looking back now, it’s clear how intertwined these issues are and how complex the relationship really is.

So let’s talk about it. What’s really going on between substance use and family violence?

1. It’s Not the Drink That Hits

There’s a well-established correlation between AOD use and family violence, but we need to be crystal clear: correlation is not causation. Alcohol and drugs don’t cause violence, but they certainly fuel it. They lower inhibitions, impair judgment, and amplify what’s already there. A major Australian review found alcohol present in 23–65% of family violence incidents. That’s not a coincidence. But it’s not the whole story either. anrows.org.au aic.gov.au

2. When Things Escalate

We’ve seen it time and time again: substance use intensifies violence. Heavy drinking, especially binge drinking, doubles the likelihood of violence between partners. Globally, alcohol is implicated in around 75% of violent incidents. It doesn’t just flick the switch; it pours petrol on the fire. deakin.edu.au

3. Minds Clouded, Control Lost

Alcohol and other drugs affect more than just behaviour—they affect the brain. Judgment is clouded. Impulse control goes out the window. Conflict resolution? That’s the last thing on someone’s mind when they’re high or intoxicated. Many victims report increased frequency and intensity of abuse when substances are involved. That should concern all of us.

4. “It Was the Booze, Not Me”

One of the most common refrains we hear from men who use violence is this: “I was wasted—I didn’t know what I was doing.” Substance use becomes the excuse, a way to dodge accountability. But if we want real change, we have to hold people responsible for their choices, drunk or sober.

5. When Victims Are Also Using

Let’s not forget the other side of the coin. Victims who are also struggling with substance use face additional barriers. They may be less able to leave, seek help, or even recognise the danger they’re in. And sadly, users of DFSV can use this to their advantage – controlling, manipulating, and coercing under the guise of “helping.” noviolence.org.au

6. The Long Shadow of Childhood

Many of the men (and women) we work with have grown up surrounded by violence and substance use. It gets passed down. Children exposed to both are more likely to struggle with substance use later in life, and are more likely to use or experience violence themselves. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s why early intervention matters.

7. Why We Can’t Work in Silos

Treating substance use alone doesn’t stop the violence. And vice versa. The research is clear – integrated, joined-up approaches are the way forward. Programs that tackle both substance use and abusive behaviour at the same time have far better outcomes than those that treat one and ignore the other.

8. Bigger Picture, Bigger Problems

We can’t talk about AOD and violence without acknowledging the broader structural stuff, such as poverty, mental health, housing, trauma, and social isolation. These things all play a role. And in low-resource settings, the capacity to respond effectively is even more strained. This is about systems, not just individuals.

So, What Do We Do About It?

• Screening matters. We need to routinely check for both substance use and violence.
• Work holistically. Integrated, wraparound services are the gold standard.
• Keep the focus on responsibility. Being intoxicated doesn’t excuse abuse.

After all these years, it’s sobering (no pun intended) to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we still need to go. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned since that first group in 1983, it’s this: people can change. But only when we stop making excuses, start joining the dots, and work together across systems.

Let’s continue to push for integrated, accountable, and compassionate practice.

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