Differences Among Different Types of Offenders

This is the first study that compared different types of offenders in forensic outpatient treatment (i.e., offenders of general violence [GV], intimate partner violence [IPV], sex crimes, and “other offenses ” such as drug smuggling and property crimes) regarding the prevalence of substance use disorders at the time of the offense. In total, 35.8% of participants (n = 187) were diagnosed with any substance use disorder. Specifically, 61.5 % of GV perpetrators, 30.9 % of IPV perpetrators, 9.1 % of sex offenders, and 26.7 % of “other offenders ” were diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence. More GV offenders and less sex offenders fulfilled diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder. Furthermore, 29.9 % of the offenders were intoxicated by substances at the moment they committed the offense (48.5 % of GV perpetrators, 25.0 % of IPV perpetrators, 17.4 % of sex offenders, and 21.0 % of other offenders). More GV perpetrators were intoxicated during the offense. As there is a clear association between substance abuse and criminal behavior, substance abuse in offenders should be assessed and, if present, be treated