The ADVANCE Programme : Advancing theory and treatment for men in substance use treatment who perpetrate intimate partner violence

Objectives / Purpose / Background
To describe the development and proposed evaluation of an integrated substance use and intimate partner violence intervention for male perpetrators.
Design / Background / Key Points
Intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV-P) is any behaviour causing physical, sexual or psychological harm. Substance use is one risk factor for IPV-P. Distinct perpetrators types have been distinguished, but have not sufficiently taken the role of substance use into account. Men in substance use treatment are more likely than men in general to perpetrate IPV but few are referred to treatment for IPV. There is a need to re-conceptualize patterns of IPV-P and approaches to address IPV-P among male substance users.
Methods / Conclusions
Findings will be presented from three studies which have informed the development of the ADVANCE intervention programme: 1) A meta-ethnography of qualitative studies describing the role that substance use plays in IPV-P; 2) Qualitative interviews with substance using perpetrators and their ex/current-partners about what contributes to IPV; and 3) A systematic review of effective interventions to reduce IPV-P among male substance users. The design of the integrated intervention will be described, along with the evaluation plan and progress so far with a randomised controlled trial feasibility study.
Conclusions
The work indicates that men and women view the role of substance use in IPV differently.Contextual factors, as well as intoxication and withdrawal, should be taken into account in programme development. Accessing perpetrators for intervention should be widened from criminal justice settings to substance use treatment settings. Integrated programmes have promise, but evaluation is needed. ADVANCE aims to fill this gap.