Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use Disorders in the Veteran Population: Screening Gaps, Risk Profiles, and Lethality

MedXY Editorial Team•May 12, 2026•Clinical Updates

Veterans with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) face significantly higher risks of positive IPV screening and high-lethality violence exposure.
Female veterans with dual SUD diagnoses are particularly vulnerable to lethal IPV subtypes, including strangulation and escalation of violence.
Despite high prevalence, screening rates for IPV in VHA clinics remain around 22%, with extremely low referral rates to specialized family or relationship services.
Neurobiological evidence suggests structural alterations in the limbic system, specifically the amygdala-hippocampus complex, are associated with IPV perpetration in veterans with PTSD and TBI.

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This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

Veterans with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) face significantly higher risks of positive IPV screening and high-lethality violence exposure.
Female veterans with dual SUD diagnoses are particularly vulnerable to lethal IPV subtypes, including strangulation and escalation of violence.
Despite high prevalence, screening rates for IPV in VHA clinics remain around 22%, with extremely low referral rates to specialized family or relationship services.
Neurobiological evidence suggests structural alterations in the limbic system, specifically the amygdala-hippocampus complex, are associated with IPV perpetration in veterans with PTSD and TBI.