Abstract
The authors review the scientific literature linking the use of specific psychoactive substances with aggressive and violent behavior. In general, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on aggression and violence are influenced through the complex interaction of 1) the particular pharmacological effects and dose of the specific drug, 2) the psychological and biological characteristics of substance-using individuals, and 3) the situational context in which the drug use occurs. Furthermore, a model is advanced that delineates the relationship between individual dispositional factors promoting aggression and the resultant occurrence of violent behavior. The authors conclude that the multifactorial nature of this problem emphasizes the need for multimodal strategies of intervention and prevention to reduce the societal impact of violence involving alcohol and other drugs.