Alcoholism, Other Drug Misuse, and Violence: An Overview (From Violent Behavior: Assessment and Intervention, V 1, P 201-225, 1990, Leonard J Hertzberg, Gene F Astrum, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-123057)

• NCJ Number: 123068
• Author(s): C L Whitfield
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: PMA Publishing Corp
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After documenting the correlation between alcohol and other drug abuse and violent behavior, this chapter discusses the etiology of alcoholism and other chemical dependence, followed by descriptions of how to recognize, diagnose, treat, and counsel people with alcoholism and chemical dependency.

Abstract

The chapter concludes that "drinking alcohol is a major cause of violent, aggressive, and antisocial behavior." Among 15 empirical studies of family violence, nearly all reported the involvement of alcohol, with percentages of alcoholism and heavy drinking by the subjects ranging from 10 percent to 93 percent (Hamilton and Collins 1981). Consequently, in a violent situation, after the emergency problems have been treated, the most helpful treatment and prevention for violent or other aggressive behavior is to treat the alcoholism as a primary illness. A discussion of the etiology and genesis of alcoholism is followed by a review of the pathogenesis of alcoholism as a family illness. The chapter then notes the similarities between alcoholism and violence, as both are tolerated in the home to such an extent that the family members commonly deny that any problems exist in these areas. After presenting complaints and histories that suggest a diagnosis of alcoholism, an overview of treatment addresses outpatient treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous and group therapy, inpatient treatment, and screening and referral. Suggestions cover special additional treatment for the violent alcoholic. Appended screening tests, 17 references.