When women are under the influence. Does drinking or drug use by women provoke beatings by men?

This chapter examines theoretical and empirical evidence for the existence of "intoxication-victimization" effects. Theories of victimization and theories of alcohol-induced aggression are examined for their relevance to the phenomenon of concern. The results of our examination of theory and research indicates theoretical support for an integrated theory of intoxication-victimization effects. However, we found that the temporal precedence of women's drinking related to their victimizations has not been established by prior investigations. Supporting evidence for intoxication-victimization effects is strongest among studies of rape, homicide, and studies of alcoholic women. Despite the strength of alcohol's association with wife assaults, intoxication's centrality and temporal relationship to specific wife-assault episodes is highly variable. Our review indicates that women's intoxication might be spuriously associated with victimization through its association with husband's intoxication and via the indirect effects of victimization histories in the family of origin of both partners.