Substance use pattern, self‐control and social network are associated with crime in a substance‐using population

Introduction and Aims: Crime rates are high in substance‐using populations; therefore, investigation of factors associated with crime in these populations is highly relevant. We describe crime prevalence and associations between crime, pattern of substance use and psychosocial factors, such as self‐control and social network. Design and Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study including substance users (n = 549; mean age 34 years; 27% women) entering treatment at 21 treatment centres across Norway (December 2012 to April 2015). Data on demographics, substance use, psychosocial variables and crime in the 6 months prior to treatment were obtained through interviews. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated through logistic regression. Results: Sixty‐four percent of participants had committed crime in the 6 months prior to treatment. Of these, 93% committed income‐generating crime. Several factors were associated with increased likelihood of having committed crime: use of stimulants (aOR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.04–3.17), use of a higher number of different substances (aOR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.04–1.31) and spending most of their time with family or friends using addictive substances (aOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.10–5.16 and aOR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.32–3.73). Protective factors associated with decreased likelihood of committing crime were being older (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.97) and having higher self‐control (aOR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.97). Discussion and Conclusions: Stimulant use, higher number of different substances used, lower self‐control, primarily a substance‐using social network and being younger were associated with crime in this substance‐using population. Treatment clinics should consider these risk factors for crime, and suitable interventions should be implemented and evaluated. This research has been published in Drug and Alcohol Review. © 2016 Wile