Seeking and Obtaining Help for Alcohol Dependence by Women with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a History of Intimate Partner Violence

Deanna L Mulvihill*, Marilyn F

Abstract

Women who have experienced violence are at a greater risk for physical and mental health problems. Researchers report that women with these experiences are more difficult to treat and many do not seek treatment and those that do are more difficult to treat and have difficulty maintaining helping relationships. However these women's perspectives have not been previously studied. This study describes the experience of seeking help for alcohol dependence by women with PTSD and a history of intimate partner violence in the context in which it occurs.