Aggression and Violence Associated With Substance Abuse (From Aggression, Family Violence, and Chemical Dependency, P 1-36, 1990, Ronald T. Potter-Efron and Patricia S. Potter-Efron, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 157375
• Author(s): M M Miller; R T Potter-Efron
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 36 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This chapter discusses how drugs of abuse induce states that modify emotional and behavioral responses such that anger or violence can be elicited or aggravated.

Abstract

The paper examines various drugs -- alcohol, sedative hypnotics, stimulants, hallucinogens, opioids, phencyclidine, cannabis, and inhalants -- and the states of intoxication induced by them, as well as ways in which anger and violence are modulated in such states. These drugs can affect brain function in different ways, through intoxication, withdrawal, organic mental disorders, and psychotic states. The chapter explores drug effects on each type of clinical syndrome, and examines how anger and violence are relevant dimensions of these syndromes. 2 tables and 78 references