Children and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence does not only affect the partner being abused; it can also pose serious effects on any children living in the home. As you already know, exposure to domestic violence poses a serious threat to a child’s psychological and physical well-being. Whether a child is exposed to the act of domestic violence through physical abuse or by observation, they can become emotionally traumatized – and eventually, desensitized to the abuse.

Research has proven that many perpetrators of domestic abuse have either been abused as children or witnessed abuse at home. While domestic violence can affect children in different ways, the exposure is typically traumatic.

Domestic violence can have the following effects on a child:

·         Constant fear and anxiety

·         Nightmares and sleeplessness

·         Aggression

·         Difficulty concentrating

·         Depression

·         PTSD

Both long and short-term effects of domestic violence can be prevented when there is intervention from resources such as social workers and educational programs. However, these resources will be less than helpful if the violence continues. Domestic abuse counseling or anger management courses will be required for the perpetrator. To lead you and your child on the right path to a healthy, fulfilled life, learn more about our online anger management course today at AmericanIntegrityCourses.com.

Recognizing the Signs of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is not always “in your face.” Whenever you hear of a woman who was killed or severely injured by an abusive partner, you probably ask, “Why didn’t she just leave?” The answer isn’t that simple. If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, here are some identifiable characteristics you can use:

Your Behavior

The first question you need to ask is if you are afraid of your partner. No healthy relationship involves fear. If you walk on eggshells to avoid provoking them, then that is a clear sign that your relationship is abusive. If you feel like you can’t do anything right in their eyes, if you feel numb and helpless, or if you are starting to wonder if maybe you’re crazy and making the whole thing up, you are most likely being abused.

Their Behavior

If your partner is abusive, they will fall into a few familiar behavioral patterns. Do they go out of their way to humiliate or criticize you? Do they ignore or belittle your accomplishments or opinions? Do they blame you for the way they treat you? These are all signs of an abusive partner. They may also:

·         Have an unpredictable temper.

·         Hurt you, or threaten to hurt you.

·         Threaten to hurt themselves if you leave.

·         Destroy your belongings.

·         Act excessively jealous or possessive.

·         Control where you go or what you do.

·         Check up on you constantly.

·         Isolate you from your friends and family.

Abuse is not always physical. Some abusers rely on psychological abuse to torment their victims. Know the signs, and know when to get out. If you can talk to a family member or close friend about what is happening, they can arrange to get you out while your partner is not home.

AIC. American Integrity Courses offers a court-ordered domestic violence online course for abusers who need to end their abusive behavior. Contact us today at AmericanIntegrityCourses.com to get started and break the cycle of abuse.

Four Ways to Fight Addiction

Addiction is a dangerous thing, and it is challenging to break free. Here are some things that you can do to help you break the vicious cycle of addiction.

Get Some Friends

One of the worst things you can do as a recovering addict is isolate yourself. Being alone with your thoughts for too long can make fighting addiction almost impossible. Make an effort to spend more time with sober friends or family members. Surround yourself with positive people who care about you. They will remind you every day that things will get better if you keep fighting.

Get a Sponsor

Being held accountable to someone can motivate you to make positive changes in your life. Many twelve-step programs provide addicts with a sponsor who mentors them and helps guide them towards a better life.

Predict Weak Spots

If you pay attention, you can find the things that trigger you to use drugs or alcohol. Are there specific times of day, certain places, or even specific people that trigger you? Try to avoid those places, people, or activities and replace them with something else. If you want to quit smoking and find that you always crave a cigarette when you have your morning coffee, it’s time to find a different morning routine.  Sometimes shifting around your everyday routine is enough to shake off an addiction. Focus on breaking negative patterns in your life.

Put Effort into Your Court Ordered Course

Many people who get into trouble with substance abuse are ordered to take courses by a judge. Take this opportunity to put as much effort into the courses as possible and make a positive change. You can find online substance abuse courses at AmericanIntegrityCourses.com.