The association between substance abuse and violent interactions has traditionally been explained as a cause-effect sequence. The commonly held viewpoint that intoxication causes violence has dominated research on the subject as well as treatment methodology. This interpretation may lead treatment providers to believe that once abstinence from alcohol and other drugs is achieved, violence will also disappear. Researchers in the field of domestic violence dispute that violence occurs both when substance abuse is present and absent. This article provides assessment and treatment guidelines, and describes the scope of the problem, etiological issues, and factors that may serve as barriers to treatment providers in identifying violence as a problem in chemically-dependent relationships. 1 figure, 54 references. (Author abstract modified)