safety alert

If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call 911 or your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233 voice), 1-800-787-3224 (tty). There is always a computer trail, but you can click ESCAPE to leave the site quickly.

Information and Referral

Providing advocacy-based counseling for battered women impacted by substance abuse is enhanced when advocates are:

Informed about treatment options and community resources.
Participating in cross-training with substance abuse programs to increase awareness of safety and sobriety issues.
Willing to provide service options for victims wh are substance dependent whether they are in treatment or not.

Advocates must be able to provide accurate information about substance use, abuse and addiction and know what their local resources are. The Alcohol/Drug Help Line web-site: adhl.org is available 24 hours a day to provide information about substances, including use, abuse and addiction. They can answer specific questions for battered women addressing substance abuse issues as well as help advocates develop options. The ADHL phone number is 1-800-562-1240 (WA & AK only) or 206-722-37000.

Ideally, advocates will become familiar with their local resources. Developing a relationship with your local chemical dependency prevention service providers can enhance safety and improve advocacy. Additionally, this relationship can lead to developing collaborative partnerships that could include exchanging staff for support groups, as well as information and educational opportunities addressing both domestic violence and substance abuse issues.

Getting Safe and Sober: Real Tools You Can Use
©Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 2005

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