There has been a lot of attention on how COVID-19 has exacerbated situations of intimate partner violence in Philadelphia, but we know that substance use has also increased during the pandemic.
Women In Transition works at the intersection of domestic violence (DV) and substance abuse. Many of our recovery clients are also survivors of DV; they’re dealing with both issues, along with other layers of trauma. When you add COVID-19 to this equation, you get a sense of what our clients are going through.
Amber had been free from substances for almost two years when she contracted COVID-19 in January. She and her three-year-old son had to quarantine for 21 days. As she recovered, the boredom and isolation of this time led her begin drinking a few glasses of wine every night. She felt helpless and ashamed that she had relapsed, and wasn’t sure where to turn. When Amber called Women In Transition, we helped her find an online AA meeting. Luckily, she is fully recovered from COVID-19, and has not had a drink for almost a month. Her relapse changed her outlook on life, and we are helping her to work through her feelings of isolation in individual counseling sessions.
For clients who are facing dynamics of power and control from abusive partners, fears about COVID-19 play into this pattern. Abusive partners have used fear to manipulate survivors to stay home or quit their jobs to avoid catching COVID-19, furthering their isolation. Or, abusive partners might use gaslighting techniques, diminishing the very real risks of contracting COVID and mocking the precautions people are trying to take. In some cases, abusive partners use these fears to manipulate survivors into using drugs or alcohol to relieve anxiety around contracting COVID-19.
For Helen her abuser regularly belittled her and mocked her fear of contracting COVID-19. He continued to go out to bars and get drunk, and when Helen tried to set boundaries to protect herself and their children, he continued to gaslight her. In November 2020, she contracted COVID-19 and was so sick that she was unable to work for two weeks. Her abuser contracted a milder case, and he continues to mock her experience. Thankfully, they are all recovered now. Helen is attending individual counseling sessions via zoom at Women In Transition, and she is learning that her abuser’s drinking isn’t her fault, and isn’t an excuse for his harmful behavior.
Other clients, especially those who have left their abusive partners, are feeling isolated and questioning whether leaving was the right choice. They may use drugs or alcohol to self soothe and help manage the changes in their finances and living situations.
People struggling against domestic violence and substance abuse need support. Here are some steps you can take to educate yourself on this dynamic and support people in your community who might be struggling:
Learn as much as you can about the dynamic between domestic violence and substance abuse.
If you know someone struggling with substance use, don’t be judgmental. When someone feels judged, that makes them more likely to avoid seeking help.
Remember that recovery isn’t linear; validate that sometimes it’s two steps forward, one step back. Sometimes, relapse is a part of recovery. Share our post to get the word out.
Encourage people you know to call the WIT Lifeline. Callers get resources and support to navigate recovery on their own terms. And remember, you can call the LifeLine for support even if you’re not the one struggling with substance abuse. We are here to help.