Addiction and Crime

The Role of Substance Abuse In Criminal Behavior

The term “substance abuse” is a broad term that encompasses the use of drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, a chronic, often relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences. Substance abuse can also lead to other risky behaviors like crime.

In 2022, an estimated 46.3 million people in the U.S. (about 16.5% of the population) had a substance use disorder. Among these, more than 8 million struggled with an opioid use disorder. These numbers have grown steadily over the past several years.

Substance abuse and crime are closely intertwined. Historical data has shown that people who engage in substance abuse are more likely to commit crimes. For example, alcohol is often used as a social lubricant and can lead to violent behavior.

Drug Crimes and Public Safety

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that drug abuse is involved in a significant portion of crimes committed in the United States. Many people with substance use disorders commit crimes to fund their drug use or acquire more substances. In other cases, crimes are committed while under the influence or during withdrawal, when judgment may be impaired, leading to reckless or dangerous behavior.

Addiction changes how the brain functions, affecting decision-making, impulse control, and behavior. This can drive individuals to take risks they would not otherwise consider, including theft, fraud, or other illegal activities.

Incarceration for Drug Crimes

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 1.23 million people were incarcerated in state and federal prisons in 2021. A large percentage of these individuals are serving time for non-violent offenses, including drug-related crimes.

In recent years, there has been a growing effort to provide effective drug treatment programs to incarcerated individuals. These programs aim to reduce recidivism and support successful reentry into society.

Though prison-based treatment options are not perfect, they have improved significantly over the past few decades. Programs focused on rehabilitation provide individuals with access to education, job training, and support services to help them rebuild their lives after release.

Violent Crime and Substance Abuse Disorder

Violent crime is one of the most pressing issues in the United States. In 2022, there were approximately 1.3 million reported violent crimes, with aggravated assault and robbery among the most common offenses. Additionally, the United States has a higher rate of violence than any other developed country.

The relationship between drugs and crime is a complicated one. Most of the time, drug abuse is related to property crimes such as burglary and theft. However, there are also cases where drugs have been linked to violent crimes.

In addition to violence, substance abuse disorder is also a problem in America. In 2016, there were an estimated 2 million people with substance abuse disorder in the US. Alcohol was the most abused drug (15% of adults), followed by marijuana (9%), cocaine (1%), methamphetamine (1%), and heroin (.3%).

A study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences found that a person who has used cocaine within the past year is five times more likely to commit a violent crime than someone who has not used cocaine in that same period.

Violent crime and substance abuse disorder are closely related. Substance abuse disorder is a risk factor for violence. Alcohol and drug use can lead to aggressive behavior and violence.

How Addiction Treatment Can Help Prevent Repeat Offenses

Over 60% of inmates are addicted to drugs or alcohol in the US, a staggering number reflecting the need for better addiction treatment. Access to addiction treatment can reduce the recidivism rate. Treatment success rates are improved when rehabilitation options are more accessible and affordable.

A study done by the University of Texas at Austin looked at the recidivism rates of inmates who participated in drug treatment programs and found an 11% lower recidivism rate than those who did not participate in these programs.

Comprehensive programs—including counseling, education, job assistance, and long-term recovery support—are especially effective at helping people transition successfully back into their communities.

Addiction and Youth Crime Prevention

Addiction is a topic that needs to be addressed to solve the problem of youth crime. The statistics show that about 70% of juvenile offenders have substance abuse problems, which means that addiction is one of the most significant causes of youth criminality.

The first step to solving this problem is to identify the root cause. Studying how addiction and crime are linked will uncover the root causes of youth crime. Access to diversionary paths for juvenile criminals is one way to keep youth criminal behavior from becoming adult criminal behavior.

Crime and Addiction Statistics

The U.S. continues to experience high rates of crime connected to substance misuse. In addition to over 1.3 million reported violent crimes annually, millions of property crimes are committed each year, many tied to drug or alcohol use.

A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that many people who misuse drugs have histories of being both perpetrators and victims of violence. Additionally, about 60% of those incarcerated for drug-related crimes are serving time for possession, rather than trafficking or production, highlighting the need for continued reform in how drug crimes are addressed.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

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Chris Carberg

Co-Founder & Mental Health Advocate

Chris Carberg is the founder of AddictionHelp.com, and a long-time recovering addict from prescription opioids, sedatives, and alcohol.  Over the past 15 years, Chris has worked as a tireless advocate for addicts and their loved ones while becoming a sought-after digital entrepreneur. Chris is a storyteller and aims to share his story with others in the hopes of helping them achieve their own recovery.