Safety plan
Step 6:
Safety and Drug/Alcohol Consumption
Click here for a printable version.
Most people in our culture consume alcohol. Some use mood-altering drugs. Much of this activity is legal and some is not.
The legal outcomes of using illegal drugs can be very hard on a victim of abuse, may hurt relationships with the victim’s children and put the victim at a disadvantage in other legal actions with the abuser. Therefore, victims should carefully consider the potential risks associated with the use of illegal drugs. But beyond this, use of alcohol and/or drugs can reduce a victim’s awareness and the ability to act quickly to protect both the victim and the victim’s children from the abuser. Furthermore, the use of alcohol or drugs by the abuser may give the abuser an excuse to use violence. Therefore, in the context of drug or alcohol use, a victim needs to make specific plans.
If drug or alcohol consumption has occurred in my relationship with my partner, I can improve my safety by some or all of the following.
A. If I am going to use alcohol or drugs, I can do so in a safe place and with people who understand the risk of violence and are committed to my safety.
B. I can also (call a friend, AA sponsor, etc) ____________________________________________.
C. If my partner is using alcohol or drugs, I can (leave with the children, call a friend)
D. To safeguard my children, I can (remove them from the scene where my partner is using alcohol or drugs) _______________________________.
E. I can carry extra money for taxi/public transit.
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