The Correlation Between Substance Abuse and Violence is Evident in a Variety of Behaviors

However, Research on Substance Abuse and Violence Has Not Demonstrated Causation

Substance Abuse and Violence are Correlated in Various Ways

aggressive behavior (general)

research studies show that alcohol is present in a significant proportion of aggressive and violent events.^[1] The same is not true of illegal drugs^[2]some research suggests that alcohol has physiological effects that increase aggressive behavior; however, this research is elementary, and for now, inconclusive^[3]other theories of alcohol and aggression suggest that alcohol reduces inhibitions, and weakens brain mechanisms that normally restrain impulsive behavior; alcohol may also lead a person to misinterpret social clues, resulting in inappropriate behavior, including violence^[4]research on the physiological effects of illicit drugs have not demonstrated increased levels of aggressive behavior; to the contrary, in the case of heroin and marijuana, aggressive behavior appears to decrease. Violent behavior under the influence of LSD, PCP, cocaine, and amphetamines is also rare, though it is quite prevalent among individuals with psychopathology that predates the drug use^[5]

violent crime

50% of violent offenders in state prisons reported being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their offense; 30% reported that their victim was under the influence; (61% reported either or both)^[6]12% of violent offenders in state prisons reported committing their offense for money to buy drugs (27% of robbers)^[7]violence has been linked to the illicit drug market as a means for settling business disputes, in lieu of legal mechanisms for doing so^[8]

child abuse

a variety of studies of adults who abuse substances show a higher incidence of childhood abuse among that group than among randomly assigned control groups^[9]various studies have shown a higher percentage of substance abusers (mostly alcohol) among parents of abused children than among a random sample of parents^[10]

rape

the vast majority of victims and perpetrators of acquaintance rape are under the influence, particularly in college settings^[11]several studies also demonstrate a high level of alcohol and/or drug abuse among victims and perpetrators of stranger rape^[12]

domestic violence

studies show that there is a higher incidence of alcohol abuse among battering than among non-battering husbands^[13]batterers and victims often report that the batterer was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the abusive incident^[14]studies show a higher incidence of alcohol and drug abuse among abused women than among non-victimized women; some researchers attribute this to victims seeking to dull the pain of abuse, while others suggest that the behavior of substance-abusing women is seen as a reason for abuse by their batterer^[15]

Causal Relationships Between Substance Abuse and Violence Have Not Been Conclusively Proven, for a Variety of Reasons

new field of research

the psychopharmocologic study of the effects of drugs and alcohol as they pertain to violence is a relatively new field. Many small studies have been conducted, of varying levels of scientific integrity, but there is much more work to be done before any conclusions can be drawn^[16]

integrity of survey research

survey research has been a primary source of information on the relationship between substance abuse and violence. While extremely useful in identifying relationships, surveys are less accurate in determining causation, surveys allow for a large degree of human error, such as inaccurate memory, personal interpretation or judgment, and other situational factors^[17]

difficulty with identification of substance use

breathalyzer and other blood alcohol content tests only detect use within a short time-frame; other drug tests can detect use for months, but cannot accurately determine time of use, making it difficult to accurately ascertain whether an act was committed under the influence in cases where the subject was not tested immediately^[18]on the other hand, perpetrator self-reporting may be subject to denial or misreporting; victim or police perception surveys may be subject to cultural and environmental biases^[19]

definition of substance abuse and violence

there has yet to be any uniform definition of "violence" or "influence"^[20]'consecutive days of use' is a measure frequently used, but it does not take into account the quantity of substance ingested^[21]. Moreover, even if quantities were measured, this would fail to take into account effects on intoxication such as individual metabolism and body weight^[22]another measure used to assess problem drinkers is number of days of drunkenness in a year^[23]; "drunk," within some parameters, is subject to the personal definition of the interviewee, and the quantity is subject to his or her memory definitions of violence also encounter individual subjectivity. One may define as child abuse what another defines as discipline. Moreover, in the cases of unreported incidents, recollections are subject to individual interpretation, distortions, inaccurate memories, and other situational factors. In the case of child abuse, researchers have attempted to avoid this subjectivity by using as subjects children who have had official interactions with the state youth protection system (e.g. foster care, family courts) but this presents other issues of selection bias, given that the state is more likely to monitor cases from certain demographic categories^[24]

controlling for other contributing factors

substance abuse and violent behavior share many common antecedents. Given all of the factors that could possibly have an effect on substance abuse or violence (e.g., socioeconomic background, family size) it would be nearly impossible to control for all other factors, which, while less important to establish correlation, would be necessary to determine a causal relationship^[25]it is particularly hard to control for a variety of factors among a finite population, such as children in the state's custody, or violent offenders in state prisons^[26]in the case of survey research, control groups generally consist of voluntary participants; it is possible in these cases that those choosing not to participate have higher rates of one of the negative behaviors^[27]

Endnotes

^[1] Collins, J.J. "Drinking and violence: an individual offender focus." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 221-236; Lipsey, M.W., D.B. Wilson, M.A. Cohen, and J.H. Derzon. "Is there a causal relationship between alcohol use and violence? a synthesis of evidence." Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol. 13: Alcohol and Violence. M. Galanter (ed.) New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 245-282; Miczek, K.A., J.F. DeBold, M. Haney, J. Tidey, J. Vivian, and E.M. Weerts. "Alcohol, drugs of abuse, aggression, and violence." Understanding and Preventing Violence, Volume 3: Social Influences. A.J. Reiss, Jr., and J.A. Roth (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1994: 377-570.

^[2] Fagan, J. "Intoxication and aggression." Drugs and Crime. M. Tonry and J.Q. Wilson (Eds.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990: 241-320; Miczek, K.A., E.M. Weerts, and J.F. DeBold. "Alcohol, aggression, and violence: biobehavioral determinants." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 83-120; Miczek, K.A., J.F. DeBold, M. Haney, J. Tidey, J. Vivian, and E.M. Weerts. "Alcohol, drugs of abuse, aggression, and violence." Understanding and Preventing Violence, Volume 3: Social Influences. A.J. Reiss, Jr., and J.A. Roth (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1994: 377-570.

^[3] Gustafson, R. "Alcohol and Aggression." Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 21(3/4), 1994: 41-80; Miczek, K.A., J.F. DeBold, M. Haney, J. Tidey, J. Vivian, and E.M. Weerts. "Alcohol, drugs of abuse, aggression, and violence." Understanding and Preventing Violence, Volume 3: Social Influences. A.J. Reiss, Jr., and J.A. Roth (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1994: 377-570; Miczek, K.A., J.F. DeBold, A.M. Van Erp, and W. Tornatzky. "Alcohol, GABAA,-benzodiazepine receptor complex, and aggression." Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol 13: Alcohol and Violence. M. Galanter (ed.) New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 139-172; National Research Council. Understanding and Preventing Violence. A.J. Reiss, Jr., and J.A. Roth (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1993.

^[4] Miczek, K.A., J.F. DeBold, M. Haney, J. Tidey, J. Vivian, and E.M. Weerts. "Alcohol, drugs of abuse, aggression, and violence." Understanding and Preventing Violence, Volume 3: Social Influences. A.J. Reiss, Jr., and J.A. Roth (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1994: 377-570

^[5] Miczek, K.A., J.F. DeBold, M. Haney, J. Tidey, J. Vivian, and E.M. Weerts. "Alcohol, drugs of abuse, aggression, and violence." Understanding and Preventing Violence, Volume 3: Social Influences. A.J. Reiss, Jr., and J.A. Roth (Eds.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1994: 377-570

^[6] U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Drugs and Crime Facts, 1994

^[7] U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Drugs and Crime Facts, 1994

^[8] Fagan, J. "Interactions among drugs, alcohol, and violence." Health Affairs, Winter 1993: 66-79; (Eds.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990: 241-320; Fagan, J., and K. Chin. "Violence as regulation and social control in the distribution of crack." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 8-43; Goldstein, P.J. "The drugs-violence nexus: A tri-partite conceptual framework." Journal of Drug Issues, 15, 1985: 493-506.

^[9] Burgess, A., C. Hartman, and A. McCormick. "Abused to abuser: antecedents of socially deviant behaviors." American Journal of Psychiatry. 144(11), 1987: 1431-1436; Dembo, R., L. Williams, L. La Voie, E. Berry, et. al. "Physical abuse, sexual victimization, and illicit drug use: replication of a structural analysis among a new sample of high-risk youths." Violence and Victims, 4(2), 1989: 121-138; Dembo, R., M. Dertke, S. Borders, M. Washburn, and J. Schmeidler. "Relationship between physical and sexual abuse and tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use among youths in a juvenile detention center." International Journal of the Addictions, 23(4), 1988: 351-378; Dembo, R., M. Dertke, L. La Voie, S. Borders, M. Washburn, and J. Schmeidler. "Physical abuse, sexual victimization and illicit drug use: a structural analysis among high risk adolescents." Journal of Adolescence, vol. 10, 1987: 13-33; Downs, W.R., A.B. Miller, and D.M. Gondoli. "Childhood experiences of parental physical violence for alcoholic women as compared with a randomly selected household sample of women." Violence and Victims, Vol. 2, 1987: 225-240; Ireland, T., and C.S. Widom. "Childhood victimization and risk for alcohol and drug arrests." The International Journal of the Addictions. 29(2), 1994: 235-274; Kelley, B.T., T.P. Thornberry, and C.A. Smith. "In the wake of child maltreatment." OJJDP Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1997; Ladwig, G.B., and M.D, Anderson. "Substance abuse in women: relationship between chemical dependency of women and past reports of physical and/or sexual abuse." International Journal of the Addictions, 24(8), 1989: 739-754; Miller, B.A. "The interrelationships between alcohol and drugs and family violence." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences. NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 177-207; Miller, B.A., W.R. Downs, D.M. Gondoli, and A. Keil. "Role of childhood sexual abuse in the development of alcoholism in women." Violence and Victims, 2(3), 1987: 157-172; Parker, R.N. "The effects of context on alcohol and violence." Alcohol, Health & Research World, 17:2, 1993: 117-122; Rohsenow, D., R. Corbett, and D. Devine. "Molested as children: a hidden contribution to substance abuse?" Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 5(1), 1988: 13-18; Schaffer, M. S, K. Sobierja, and R. Hollyfield. "Prevalence of childhood physical abuse in adult male veteran alcoholics." Child Abuse and Neglect. 12(2), 1988: 141-149.

^[10] Brown, J.R. "Common bonds of family tragedy. Alcoholism and child sexual abuse." Focus on Chemically Dependent Families, 11(1), 1988: 41-42; Miller, B.A. "The interrelationships between alcohol and drugs and family violence." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 177-207; Miller, B.A., E. Maguin, and W.R. Downs. "Alcohol, drugs, and violence in children's lives." Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol 13: Alcohol and Violence. Mark Galanter (ed.) New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 357-385; Murphy, J.M., M. Jellinek, D. Quinn, G. Smith, F.G. Poitrast, and M. Goshko. "Substance abuse and serious child maltreatment: prevalence, risk, and outcome in a court sample." Child Abuse and Neglect, 15(3), 1991: 197-211; Press, S. "Crack and Fatal Child Abuse." Journal of the American Medical Association. 260(21), 1988: 3132; Regan, D.O., S.M. Ehrlich, and L.P. Finnegan. "Infants of drug addicts: at risk for child abuse, neglect, and placement in foster care." Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 9(4), 1987: 315-319; Widom, C.S. "Child abuse and alcohol use and abuse." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 291-314.

^[11] Sanday, Peggy Reeves. Fraternity Gang Rape: Sex, Brotherhood, and Privilege on Campus. New York: NYU Press, 1990; Abbey, A. "Acquaintance Rape and Alcohol Consumption on College Campuses: How Are They Linked?" Journal of American College Health. 39(4), 1991: 165-169.

^[12] Roizen, J. "Epidemiological issues in alcohol-related violence." Recent Developments In Alcoholism, Vol. 13: Alcoholism and Violence. Mark Galanter (ed.). New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 7-40.

^[13] Kantor, G.K. and M.A.Straus. "Substance abuse as a precipitant of family violence victimization." American Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 15(2), 1989: 173-189; Miller, B.A. "The interrelationships between alcohol and drugs and family violence." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 177-207.

^[14] Kantor, G.K., and M.A. Straus. "The 'drunken bum' theory of wife beating." Social Problems, 34(3), 1987: 213-228; Leonard, K.E. "Drinking patterns and intoxication in marital violence: review, critique, and future directions for research. Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. 1993: 253-280; Miller, B.A. "The interrelationships between alcohol and drugs and family violence." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 177-207.

^[15] Kantor, G.K., and N. Asdigian. "When women are under the influence: does drinking or drug use by women provoke beatings by men?" Recent Developments In Alcoholism, Vol. 13: Alcoholism and Violence. Mark Galanter (ed.). New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 315-336; Miller, B.A. "The interrelationships between alcohol and drugs and family violence." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 177-207; Miller, B.A., and W.R. Downs. "The impact of family violence on the use of alcohol by women." Alcohol Health and Research World, 17(2), 1993: 137-143; Richardson, D.C., and J.L. Campbell. "Alcohol and wife abuse: the effect of alcohol on attributions of blame for wife abuse." Personality and Social Psychiatry Bulletin, 6(1), 1980: 51-56.

^[16] Roizen, J. "Issues in the epidemiology of alcohol and violence." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 3-36.

^[17] Leonard, K.E., and T. Jacob. "Alcohol, alcoholism, and family violence." Handbook of Family Violence. V.B. Van Hasselt, R.L. Morrison, A.S. Bellack, and M. Hersen (Eds.). New York: Plenum Press, 1988: 383-406; Miller, B.A., E. Maguin, and W.R. Downs. "Alcohol, drugs, and violence in children's lives." Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol. 13: Alcohol and Violence. M. Galanter (ed.) New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 357-385; Roizen, J. "Issues in the epidemiology of alcohol and violence." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 3-36; Widom, C.S. "Child abuse and alcohol use and abuse." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993.

^[18] Fagan, J. "Interactions among drugs, alcohol, and violence." Health Affairs, Winter 1993: 66-79.

^[19] Roizen, J. "Epidemiological issues in alcohol-related violence." Recent Developments In Alcoholism, Vol. 13: Alcoholism and Violence. Mark Galanter (ed.). New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 7-40.

^[20] Fagan, J. "Interactions among drugs, alcohol, and violence." Health Affairs, Winter 1993: 66-79; Miller, B.A., E. Maguin, and W.R. Downs. "Alcohol, drugs, and violence in children's lives." Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol 13: Alcohol and Violence. M. Galanter (ed.) New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 357-385; Roizen, J. "Issues in the epidemiology of alcohol and violence." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 3-36.

^[21] Fagan, J. "Interactions among drugs, alcohol, and violence." Health Affairs, Winter 1993: 66-79; Roizen, J. "Issues in the epidemiology of alcohol and violence." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 3-36.

^[22] Fagan, J. "Intoxication and aggression." Drugs and Crime. M. Tonry and J.Q. Wilson (Eds.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990: 241-320

^[23] Miller, B.A. "The interrelationships between alcohol and drugs and family violence." Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences. NIDA Monograph 103. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993: 177-207.

^[24] Miller, B.A., E. Maguin, and W.R. Downs. "Alcohol, drugs, and violence in children's lives." Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol 13: Alcohol and Violence. M. Galanter (ed.) New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 357-385; Widom, C.S. "Child abuse and alcohol use and abuse." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993.

^[25] Fagan, J. "Intoxication and aggression." Drugs and Crime. M. Tonry and J.Q. Wilson (Eds.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990: 241-320; Leonard, K.E., and T. Jacob. "Alcohol, alcoholism, and family violence." Handbook of Family Violence. V.B. Van Hasselt, R.L. Morrison, A.S. Bellack, and M. Hersen (Eds.). New York: Plenum Press, 1988: 383-406; Widom, C.S. "Child abuse and alcohol use and abuse." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993.

^[26] Widom, C.S. "Child abuse and alcohol use and abuse." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993.

^[27] Roizen, J. "Epidemiological issues in alcohol-related violence." Recent Developments In Alcoholism, Vol. 13: Alcoholism and Violence. Mark Galanter (ed.). New York: Plenum Press, 1997: 7-40; Roizen, J. "Issues in the epidemiology of alcohol and violence." Alcohol and Interpersonal Violence: Fostering Multidisciplinary Perspectives. NIAAA Research Monograph 24. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1993: 3-36.