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Alcohol and drug problems among Australian homicide offenders
Author(s) -
Eriksson Li,
Bryant Sarah,
McPhedran Samara,
Mazerolle Paul,
Wortley Richard
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.15169
Subject(s) - homicide , substance abuse , poison control , psychiatry , psychology , injury prevention , impulsivity , suicide prevention , situational ethics , clinical psychology , medicine , human factors and ergonomics , medical emergency , social psychology
Background and Aims Most homicide studies focus upon ‘acute’ situational intoxication as opposed to ‘chronic’ substance misuse. The aims of the study were to: (1) determine the extent of homicide offenders’ alcohol and drug use in the year preceding the homicide; (2) compare the individual characteristics of homicide offenders across levels of problematic substance use; and (3) compare homicide incident characteristics across levels of problematic substance use. Design and Setting Observational study using data collected through face‐to‐face interviews in custodial and community correctional settings across Australia. Participants were recruited through an opt‐in process. Participants The data consist of 302 individuals convicted of murder or manslaughter. Measurements We used the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Test to determine problematic alcohol or drug use. We also used a range of self‐report measures to ascertain offender characteristics [socio‐demographics, developmental experiences, criminal history, personality] and incident characteristics (who was killed, and situational intoxication). Findings Of the sample, 38.8% displayed high levels of alcohol problems and 30.8% displayed high levels of drug problems. Those displaying high levels of alcohol and/or drug problems were more likely than those without high levels of alcohol and/or drug problems to report adverse developmental experiences, low education, financial difficulties, extensive criminal histories and high levels of trait anger, impulsivity and risk‐seeking. In addition, offenders with problematic substance use were more likely to have killed non‐family and to have used substances at the time of the homicide. Conclusions High proportions of homicide offenders in Australia appear to have problematic substance use in the year preceding the homicide offence, and such use appears to be associated with a range of other challenging factors, including adverse childhoods, criminal involvement, low socio‐economic factors and low self‐regulation.