File(s) under permanent embargo
Benzodiazepine use of community-based violent offenders: a preliminary investigation
journal contribution
posted on 2017-05-04, 00:00 authored by Bonnie Albrecht, Petra StaigerPetra Staiger, D Best, Kate HallKate Hall, S Nielsen, D I Lubman, Peter MillerPeter MillerObjective: To explore the relationship between benzodiazepine use and violent crime in a sample of community-based offenders. Methods: Participants were recruited via drug diversion and treatment programs in Melbourne, Australia. Data regarding benzodiazepine and other substance use, mental health, personality characteristics, and crime involvement were collected through semistructured interviews conducted in 2011. Participants (n = 82, 79.3% male) were 21–56 years old, predominantly Australian-born (89%), with 14.6% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. Eligibility criteria were having been charged with a criminal offence in the previous six months and at least monthly benzodiazepine use. Group differences between violent (n = 11) and nonviolent offenders were assessed via independent samples t-tests (two-tailed) and nonparametric tests. Results: Individuals charged with violent index offences were significantly more likely to use higher average doses of alprazolam (p = 0.040) and exhibit benzodiazepine dependence (p = 0.037) as well as report high levels of sensation seeking, prior violence, and the diagnoses of depression and personality disorder than individuals charged with nonviolent index offences. Conclusions: The findings suggest the existence of a complex dynamic between mental health and violent offending that may be influenced by benzodiazepine use, in particular alprazolam. A core implication of these preliminary findings includes attending to the interpersonal skills and adaptive coping resources of violent offenders.
History
Journal
Journal of Substance UseVolume
22Issue
3Pagination
295 - 303Publisher DOI
ISSN
1465-9891eISSN
1475-9942Publication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2016, Taylor & Francis GroupUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC