The development and implementation of the ADVANCE intervention to reduce intimate partner violence perpetration by men in substance use treatment

Intimate partner violence (IPV) includes any psychological, physical, sexual, economic and emotional forms of abuse including controlling behaviours. No single factor explains why some people are more likely to perpetrate IPV. There is strong and consistent evidence that alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamine are associated with IPV perpetration. The complex interplay between substance use and IPV perpetration occurs in the context of intoxication, withdrawal and addiction, impact on the relationship and the wider dynamics of power and control and psychological vulnerabilities. The prevalence of IPV perpetration is around four times higher among men in substance use treatment than men in the general population. Despite this, males who use substances are rarely referred to perpetrator programmes. When they are, treatment completion is low and attendance and uptake poor. Perpetrator programmes do not address substance use. IPV is not routinely addressed in substance use treatment, thus missing a large proportion of perpetrators who might benefit from treatment. The 2019 UK Draft Domestic Abuse Bill proposes attendance at substance use treatment or behaviour change programmes for perpetrators with substance use problems. There is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of perpetrator programmes, especially where the perpetrator uses substances. Therefore, there remains a need to develop and test perpetrator interventions tailored to meet the needs of this population.

This symposium will present findings from the National Institute of Health Research funded 5-year ADVANCE programme of research that informed the development of an evidence-informed integrated intervention to reduce IPV by males receiving substance use treatment, and results from a randomised controlled trial of the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention delivered in substance use treatment.