It can’t be understated how deeply intertwined alcohol consumption is in our society. All sporting events have their stadium-sized overpriced beers. Imagine a wedding without its champagne toasts and sips mitigating pre-wedding jitters. Holidays are an especially abundant time for consumption due to many factors including: using alcohol to relax or deal with stress, making the most out of having days off-work including alcohol integrated-activities, and/or drinking a particular beverage that is family tradition or culturally specific as a way to bond with family and friends. Even in recognition of how popular the sober-curious movement has become: alcohol. is. everywhere.
According to American Addiction Centers:
In 2016, alcohol caused approximately 90,000 domestic violence deaths worldwide.
Alcohol or drug use is involved in 40-60% of domestic abuse situations.
More than half of individuals who abuse their elder parents (age 60 or older) are dependent on alcohol or drugs.
Each year, about 300,000 victims of violent assaults report that their attackers were under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol plays a role in 32% of all murders in the United States.
There are plenty of theories that ponder ‘why domestic violence happens’. A common one is that use of drugs and alcohol causes domestic violence, which is clearly justified though the aforementioned statistics. However, the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights challenges this traditional school of thought that directionally holds alcohol intoxication as the reason, or excuse, for an uptick in abuse. “Some abusers rely on substance use as an excuse for becoming violence. Alcohol allows the abuser to justify *their* abusive behavior as a result of the alcohol”. Often, abusers will avoid accountability through minimizing their behavior and blaming the substances as the reason for their erratic or abusive behavior. This theory affirms that responsibility for the abuse should fall on the perpetrator, not the substances themself. Instead of alcohol representing a loss of control that exacerbates domestic violence, alcohol is seen as a tool weaponized to exert power and control.
This holiday season, we want our community to think about safety planning around alcohol consumption to be prepared before a conflict arises:
Pre-plan a safe ride home through using rideshare, taxi, or having a designated sober driver.
Prioritize self care by eating well, staying hydrated, practicing positivity.
Remove yourself from places or situations that arise with tension.
Manage consumption by using tricks such as counting your alcoholic drinks or swapping every/other drink with a non-alcoholic one.
From everyone at La Casa, we wish everyone a Safe & Fun holiday season <3
-Jaya Drohan, Community Education & Volunteer Manager