Polysubstance use among male juvenile offenders increased levels of anger, aggression

Male juvenile offenders are more likely to have increased levels of anger and aggression when they engage in polysubstance use, according to a paper presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine.

The secondary analysis surveyed 373 male adolescents (82% minority; mean age, 16.4 years; average prior arrests, 6.2).

Almost half (45.6%) of the participants admitted using mood-altering substances before aged 12 years; 71% abused drugs daily or more; 88.2% tried two or more drugs; 6.7% experimented with a single substance; and 5.1% never used drugs.

Researchers found that the use of alcohol (P=.004), marijuana (P=.03) and any other substance before aged 12 years was associated with increased aggression but not anger.

Inhalants and “other” drug (stimulants, opiates and hallucinogens) use before aged 12 years did not reveal a relationship to anger or aggression, according to researchers.

However, males participating in polysubstance use showed an increase in anger (P=.01) and aggression (P=.001).

Researchers also found that polysubstance users with a history of drug use before aged 12 years, on average, scored 3.5 points higher on the aggression scale compared with those who used no more than one drug (P=.04).

“Age of onset is a critical factor in the relationship between substance use and aggressive behaviors,” researchers wrote. “Interventions targeting this vulnerable group should start early and integrate anger management and substance abuse education and counseling.”

For more information:

Saha S. Abstract #10. Presented at: Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine 2013; March 13-16, 2013; Atlanta.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.