A violent mix? The association between concurrent alcohol and cocaine use and violence amongst young people in England and Wales



Lightowlers, Carly ORCID: 0000-0002-0608-8141 and Sumnall, Harry
(2014) A violent mix? The association between concurrent alcohol and cocaine use and violence amongst young people in England and Wales. DRUGS-EDUCATION PREVENTION AND POLICY, 21 (2). pp. 131-139.

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Abstract

Aim: This study explored the association between concurrent alcohol and cocaine use and its predictive probability of self-reported violent behaviour. Methods: A series of logistic regression models were run on a sample of 3098 young people (aged 16-25) from a national self-report study. Findings: Current cocaine use was identified as predictive of violent offending (Exp B=2.363, p≤0.01). Cocaine use was also more likely in those reporting heavy episodic drinking. Whilst findings suggested an additive risk for both heavy episodic drinking and cocaine consumption, there was no evidence of a multiplicative risk associated with concurrent use on the probability of assault outcomes. Results also suggest that heavy episodic alcohol drinking was mediated by experience of violent victimization and having been involved in anti-social behaviour. Conclusions: Findings suggest that whilst interventions aimed at reducing drinking or cocaine consumption are likely to have some effect in reducing offending behaviour, attention should also be given to other individual level factors such as prior violent victimization and wider involvement in anti-social behaviour as these may be confounded as part of a wider substance misusing lifestyle or associated with violence as part as a wider repertoire of anti-social behaviour. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Substance Misuse, Violence Research, Violence Against Women, Alcoholism, Alcohol Use and Health, 2 Aetiology, 2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors, Oral and gastrointestinal, Stroke, Mental health, Cancer, Cardiovascular, 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 20 Sep 2017 08:25
Last Modified: 15 Mar 2024 13:39
DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2013.861799
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3009533

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