Citation

Kraanen FL, Scholing A, Emmelkamp PM. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2012; 56(8): 1201-1219.

Affiliation

University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Forensic outpatient clinic De Waag, the Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X11420252

PMID

21865224

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.

Language: en