More than half of the patients entering treatment had been criminally active in the last 6 months. Primarily, they had committed income-generating crime. Dealing, smuggling and manufacturing of illicit substances was also common. Violent crime and traffic-violations was more common in this treatment-seeking population, compared to the general population.
Those who had committed crime used more amphetamines, and were more likely to use a number of different substances. This pattern of substance use could be part of an explanation for increased criminal behaviour, perhaps through more uncontrolled behaviour in general, or through a need for financing the substance use. Some of the study participants may also have used these substances as a means to desensitize themselves before or after committing crime.
Recent crime was also associated with having a mainly substance using social network, and lower self-control. This means that focus on sober social networks and self-control training (in particular impulse-control and planning) may be important in preventing crime. These factors are already integrated in some form in most substance use treatment; however the methods could be more systemized and should be evaluated to ensure they are effective.
Additionally, in-patient treatment centres may have a particular challenge when it comes to criminal behaviour. The patients entering in-patient treatment were more likely to report criminal acts compared to the OMT patients. The in-patients also reported more use of amphetamines.
Read the full-length paper here:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12406/abstract