October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, remember those lost to abuse and educate others about the tactics abusers use to maintain control. Beyond physical harm, domestic abuse can also include emotional manipulation, financial dependency and psychological coercion.
What Constitutes Abuse?
Abuse is any behavior used to gain power over another person. While physical violence is the most visible form, abuse can also be subtle, calculated and psychological. Common types include:
- Emotional, such as constant criticism, gaslighting, humiliation or isolation.
- Financial, where someone controls your money or prevents you from getting a job.
- Sexual, including coercion or forcing intimacy without your consent.
- Verbal, using threats, insults or intimidation to instill fear.
- Spiritual, where an abuser manipulates your faith or beliefs to justify control.
Abuse often begins with small acts that escalate over time. Many survivors describe feeling trapped, ashamed or fearful of retaliation – especially in cases involving children, financial constraints or emotional dependency.
How Abuse Leaves a Lasting Mark
The impact of domestic violence can linger long after the abuse ends. Survivors frequently experience trauma-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, hypervigilance and trust issues. You may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that affects your emotional and physical well-being.
Abuse changes how your brain perceives safety and threats. Even after leaving a relationship, you may feel guilt or self-blame – emotions that can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance use. For many survivors, drugs or alcohol temporarily numb the pain but ultimately worsen the trauma, perpetuating a cycle that requires compassionate, professional intervention.
The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse
There is a close relationship between domestic violence and addiction. Survivors may turn to substances to cope with trauma, while abusers may use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for their behavior or a tool for control. Some abusers actively encourage substance use to weaken their partner’s autonomy and make them easier to manipulate.
Since this overlap can complicate recovery, survivors struggling with trauma and substance use need dual-diagnosis treatment to address both conditions simultaneously.
Recovering From Abuse
Overcoming the harms caused by abuse is a gradual process that involves rebuilding your trust, safety and self-worth. You may benefit from:
- Trauma-informed therapy to process painful experiences.
- Group counseling, offering community and validation from others with similar stories.
- Holistic approaches, such as mindfulness, yoga or art therapy, to reconnect with your body and feelings.
- Dual-diagnosis treatment, if substance use has become your go-to coping mechanism.
Hope by the Sea specializes in helping our clients heal from addiction and emotional trauma. Our treatment philosophy emphasizes compassion, empowerment and personalized care – giving survivors the tools to regain control of their lives and rediscover hope.
You Deserve to Heal
Abuse thrives in silence, but recovery begins with speaking out and seeking help. Whether you’re currently in an abusive relationship or healing from one, it’s never too late to reclaim your life.
If you struggle with the lasting effects of abuse and addiction, Hope by the Sea offers safe, trauma-informed treatment designed to restore balance, peace and purpose. Contact us today to learn more about our dual-diagnosis programs.