Alcohol Addiction, Mental Health and Violence against Women and Children: Evidence from an Experiment in Assam, India

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pressing public health crisis in India. This study evaluates an innovative approach to preventing gender-based violence by directly addressing a key but under-examined driver of intimate partner violence (IPV) and violence against children (VAC): harmful alcohol use among men. We assess the Counseling for Alcohol Problems (CAP) intervention—a structured, evidence-based behavioral therapy previously validated in urban clinical settings in India—in a rural, low-resource environment with high prevalence of alcohol misuse and household violence. Guided by a clear theory of change, we hypothesize that reducing alcohol consumption will improve men’s cognitive functioning, impulse control,
and conflict-resolution skills, thereby lowering IPV and VAC, strengthening mental health for both men and women, and improving overall household well-being.  The study advances the IPV literature by shifting attention toward men as primary perpetrators and targeting harmful drinking as a central risk factor. Its strengths include a theory-driven design; delivery through trained lay counselors in settings with limited access to mental-health services; rigorous measurement of IPV, alcohol use, and mental health; and strong implementation partnerships with Assam tea estates and SEWA. Findings will inform scalable strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and promote safer, healthier households.