Individual Characteristics Associated with Crime and Substance Misuse

Abstract

This chapter focuses primarily on people who are habitual drug users. In other words, their use of mind-altering substances is a regular and ongoing aspect of their lives. Clearly, the extent of use of any mind-altering substance, legal or not, varies along a continuum from a person who refuses to take even an aspirin to the individual who uses mind-altering substances whenever he can obtain them. To gain an understanding of the personality of the frequent or habitual drug user is fraught with difficulty. This is because, when asked about behavior that one is trying to hide, the user’s self-report is likely to be unreliable. The user scopes out whoever is asking for information, seeking to avoid incriminating himself and feed his questioner only what he thinks will satisfy him. Even in requesting a response to a confidential research protocol with no legal ramifications, one encounters a variety of tactics from drug users who may minimize or, in some instances, exaggerate their drug use.