According to a report by the Ahimsa House, “In 2013, Georgia had 116 confirmed homicides resulting from domestic violence. Georgia ranks 12th in the nation for its rate of men killing women.”Ahimsa House is Georgia’s first and only organization working to aid human and animal victims of domestic violence in reaching safety together. Though there are many factors that lead to domestic violence, statistically, substance abuse may be one related factor. “Approximately half of partnered men entering substance abuse treatment have battered in the past year (Chermack, Fuller & Blow, 2000; Fals-Stewart & Kennedy, 2005) and are 11 times as likely to batter on a day in which they have been drinking (Fals-Stewart, 2003).” Additionally, “Between 55 and 99 percent of women who have SA[substance abuse] issues have been victimized at some point in their life (Moses, et al., 2003) and between 67 and 80 percent of women in SA [substance abuse] treatment are IPV [intimate partner violence] victims (Cohen, et al., 2003; Downs, 2001).”
On Saturday, August 22nd, 2015, as a sponsor of Ahimsa House, North Fulton Treatment Center was able to reach out to the community and support the cause at the “Walk, Wag n’ Run 2015” 5k and 1 mile Fun Run at Lenox Park in Brookhaven. Trish Monahan, LPC, participated in the 5K run with her family and friends before joining Diane Johnson, LCSW and Ashley White, M.S., at the sponsor tent to provide brochures, information and promotional items to attendees of the event. Staff of North Fulton Treatment Center were able to network with other sponsors and inform many interested individuals of opiate addiction, medication assisted treatment and the full services we provide at our facility. The event was a great success, if than for no other reason than the ability to support the amazing cause the Ahimsa House organization runs and spread knowledge of opiate addiction and treatment. “Both research and experience suggests that SA [substance abuse] is one of several important factors that increase the risk of IPV [intimate partner violence]. IPV [intimate partner violence] also increases the risk for SA [substance abuse] (Bennett & Bland, 2008).” This event was a great stepping stone in reaching out to a specific population, who can help educate the general population of these serious and related issues that Ahimsa House and North Fulton Treatment Center address in our society, with hope for change.
References:
Ahimsa House. http://ahimsahouse.org/
Bennett, L. & Bland, P. (2008, May). Substance Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence.
Harrisburg, PA: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic
Violence/Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Retrieved month/day/year,
from: http://www.vawnet.org.
About the Author: North Fulton Treatment Center
North Fulton Treatment Center’s main goal is to help eliminate the destructive behaviors that lead to your dependency. Our therapists work one-on-one with you to find the root of your dependency and help you transition to a healthier life. Although the medication helps with the physical withdrawals of opiate dependency, counseling is part of program that helps you with the psychological aspects. This program takes time and patience, but the results are worth the healthy lifestyle you will live during and after the completion of the program.
