Domestic Violence and Chemical Dependency Co-Morbidity: Promoting Eclectic Responses to Concomitant Mental Health Concerns

Abstract

Chemical dependency and a history of physical or sexual violence are problems commonly experienced concomitantly among women, yet barriers persist to implementing programs that deal with them together. This article describes an eclectic, cross-problem group intervention designed to acknowledge the specific needs of women who have experienced problems of both chemical dependency and domestic violence. Program evaluation data suggest a positive effect for the proposed intervention, providing support for creating and maintaining policies among mental health provider organizations to recognize and address common co-morbidity.

Keywords:

• domestic violence
• chemical dependency
• comorbidity