Substance Abuse, Self-Control and Crime

This chapter reviews whether substance abuse can reduce capacity for compliance. It examines scientific findings on the links among substance abuse, self-control and (criminal) behaviour. Research findings indicate that substance abuse may negatively affect levels of self-control and cause increases in impulsive behaviour. These increases in impulsivity can in turn be linked to criminal behaviour. Moreover, substance abuse is associated with increases in violent behaviour. However, there is variability among substance abusers, and situational factors such as social environment or criminal opportunity play a major role. Rather than merely focusing on people’s personal guilt in substance abuse-related misconduct and crimes, the chapter advocates focusing on correcting future behaviour and recommends the implementation of treatment programmes aimed at improving self-control of substance-abusing offenders.