Violence, Delinquent Behaviors, and Drug Use Disorders Among Adolescents From an Addiction-Treatment Sample

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is a vulnerable period for the development of problem behaviors. Few studies have explored how violent and nonviolent delinquent behaviors relate to adolescent drug abuse. The present study investigates the relationships among violence, delinquency, and drug use disorders among adolescent outpatients. Participants were 260 adolescent patients presenting for treatment at an addiction treatment center service in Singapore. Results showed that adolescents with a history of violent delinquency were 2.49 times more likely to be diagnosed with drug use disorders, while those with a history of violent delinquency were 6.88 times more likely to be diagnosed with drug use disorders, with adjustments for demographic variables and history of childhood adversity. Moreover, drug use was most severe in adolescents with a history of violent delinquency, followed by adolescents with nonviolent delinquency, and those without a history of delinquency. Understanding the social and developmental histories of adolescents with drug use contributes to more informed treatment practices, and provides opportunities for early intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescent
• delinquency
• substance use disorders
• violence

Acknowledgments

The Treatment Outcome Monitoring Program, from which this article has derived its findings, is funded by the Ministry of Health, Singapore. The authors would like to thank the research staff and clinicians at the National Addictions Management Service for their support in treatment outcome monitoring.