Substance use disorders in forensic psychiatry: differences among different types of offenders

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2012 Dec;56(8):1201-19. doi: 10.1177/0306624X11420252. Epub 2011 Aug 23.

Abstract

This is the first study that compared different types of offenders in forensic outpatient treatment (i.e., offenders of general violence [GV], intimate partner violence [IPV], sex crimes, and "other offenses" such as drug smuggling and property crimes) regarding the prevalence of substance use disorders at the time of the offense. In total, 35.8% of participants (n = 187) were diagnosed with any substance use disorder. Specifically, 61.5% of GV perpetrators, 30.9% of IPV perpetrators, 9.1% of sex offenders, and 26.7% of "other offenders" were diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence. More GV offenders and less sex offenders fulfilled diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder. Furthermore, 29.9% of the offenders were intoxicated by substances at the moment they committed the offense (48.5% of GV perpetrators, 25.0% of IPV perpetrators, 17.4% of sex offenders, and 21.0% of other offenders). More GV perpetrators were intoxicated during the offense. As there is a clear association between substance abuse and criminal behavior, substance abuse in offenders should be assessed and, if present, be treated.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / epidemiology
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / psychology
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology*
  • Alcoholism / psychology*
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Commitment of Mentally Ill*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Prisoners / psychology*
  • Prisoners / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use
  • Sex Offenses / psychology
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Violence / psychology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs