A new survey has found significantly higher
rates of delinquent behaviour and social dysfunction in childhood
among those adults who are drug dependent, compared with their
siblings who do not use drugs. The delinquent behaviour usually
predated serious substance misuse.
Research has suggested that people who develop
serious substance use disorders showed delinquent traits as
children, before they begin using any illegal drugs.
This retrospective survey was conducted of 50
pairs of adult siblings, one of whom was currently opiate dependent
and seeking treatment, whilst the other was not using illegal
drugs.
Each completed a self-report on early
delinquency to assess delinquent traits in childhood and
adolescence. It was found that 40% of adult drug users were
expelled from school, compared to 12% of non-user siblings.
96% of adult drug users reported problems with
the police as adolescents, compared to 48% of non-user siblings.
Police problems among drug users predated their first use of
illegal drugs by 5.5 years.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College, London, 1 - 4 July 2008