Royal College of Psychiatrists: Significantly higher rates of delinquency in childhood among adult drug users than non-user siblings
Friday, 04 Jul 2008 09:03
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.
Reference:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College London 1 - 4 July 2008
For further information contact Dr Prabha Sethi, Rochford Hospital South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Tel: 01702 538 015 or 07813 334 303. E-mail: prabhasethi@hotmail.com
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Press Office: 020 7235 2351 exts. 298 or 127.
From 1-4 July, please call the Annual Meeting Press Office on 020 7594 8636 or 020 7594 1847.
Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.