ALCOHOL-ABUSE, WIFE ASSAULT, AND POWER NEEDS

The high association between alcohol and violence suggests that alcoho l instigates violence. The relationship, however, is complex, with dis inhibition, disavowal, or interaction interpretations of the alcohol-v iolence association. Evidence from both the alcohol abuse and the wife assault fields suggests that ''power theory'' offers a viable alterna tive interpretation. Power theory suggests that alcohol abuse and wife assault are manifestations of an underlying need for power and contro l related to gender-based distortions and insecurities. Alcohol treatm ent and wife assault programs often conflict in terms of assumptions a nd approaches. Power theory implies that alcohol abuse and wife assaul t be treated conjointly as weapons of power assertion and control, and , in the process, treatment effectiveness will be enhanced.