Gender-Based Violence and Substance Use Disorder in Greece: Biographical Narratives, Social Exclusion, and Intervention Prospects

• In Event: Crime, alcohol, and other drugs

Abstract

Introduction: Female substance use disorder and gender-based violence are multidimensional social phenomena with significant implications for women's physical and mental health, as well as their social integration. Although international research examines the gendered dimensions of substance use disorder, qualitative studies discussing this relation in Greece remain limited. This study explores gender disparities, victimization, and the structural barriers faced by addicted women.
Aim: This ongoing research study aims to analyze the connection between gender-based violence and substance use disorder within the Greek context. It focuses on how victimization from childhood leads to substance use and how, during the course of addiction, women experience further forms of abuse and social exclusion.
Methodology: This is a qualitative study utilizing biographical narratives of women with a history of abuse who have participated in treatment programs, as well as an exploration of therapists' experiences through in-depth interviews.
Preliminary Findings: The initial findings indicate that most women had a history of physical and sexual abuse from childhood, primarily by family members. Substance use serves as a coping mechanism for trauma, while victimization persists on the streets through experiences of sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, and physical violence. The lack of specialized personnel in trauma-informed care for gender-based violence, combined with limited access to treatment services and the absence of specialized shelters, exacerbates the social isolation of women with substance use disorder and hinders the recovery process.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the complex relation between gender-based violence and substance use disorder, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and policies addressing trauma, social stigma, marginalization, and the specific needs of women with substance use disorder.

Key-Words: Gender-based violence, substance use disorder, social exclusion, victimization.

Author

• Efpraxia Nteli, PhD Candidate, University of West Attica