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Violent Rages Due to Alcohol Abuse

Many people who commit violent acts are under the influence of alcohol, including a majority of those who commit domestic violence. Drinking's effect on brain chemistry makes a person more prone to act violently. This violence might manifest itself as a prolonged rage. It's important to get help before these episodes of violence turn into a physical injury or jail time.

  1. Prevalence

    • According to The Marin Institute, violence and alcohol are closely linked. Two-thirds of violent episodes among intimate partners involved alcohol. Women with partners who abuse alcohol were 3.6 times more likely to be the victim of domestic abuse. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that up to 86 percent of homicide offenders were drinking at the time of their crime.

    Link Between Violence and Alcohol

    • According to a report by the NIAAA, alcohol has effects on the brain's chemistry that might lead to violence. Alcohol weakens the part of the brain that usually controls violent impulses and makes the drinker more prone to engage in violence. The alcohol also impedes the judgment of the drinker, which might cause him to misinterpret social cues and become angry without reason.

    Violent Rages

    • According to Recovery-man.com, a violent rage is an episode of prolonged violence and abuse. This can include screaming, threats of violence, physical manifestations of anger and sulking. Alcohol doesn't just set of these rages, it can prolong them.

    Expectation of Violence

    • The report by the NIAAA also says alcohol is linked to violence but is not necessarily the cause of all violent behavior. An individual who seeks to engage in a violent act might drink to give him the courage he needs to commit the act. Also, people believe that alcohol causes aggression and violence. A drinker might be more aggressive simply because of this belief.

    Get Help

    • If you or someone you know is prone to become violent after the consumption of alcohol, talk to a medical professional or legal authority about getting help. The drinker might have to enter treatment for alcohol abuse to get their violence in check. Be sure to look for help before the combination of alcohol and violence leads to a dangerous situation.

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