The problem of co-occurring disorders among jail detainees - Antisocial disorder, alcoholism, drug abuse, and depression

Karen M. Abram*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper documents the degree and pattern of overlap of antisocial disorder. alcoholism. drug use disorders, and major depression among 688 randomly selected male jail detainees. Diagnostic assessments were made using the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Data indicate that multiple disorders are a serious problem among male detainees. Detainees were more likely to have two or three disorders than to have a single disorder. Of detainees, 44% had a lifetime prevalence of two or more of these syndromes. Few subjects with multiple disorders were found to have primary, or initial onset of, substance abuse disorders or primary depression. Rather, antisocial disorder predominated as the primary syndrome in diagnostic profiles. The preponderance of antisocial disorder among codisordered detainees is disturbing because it is a poor prognostic indicator. Implications for substance abuse intervention, treatment of depression, and intervention with antisocial personality disorder among detainees are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)333-345
Number of pages13
JournalLaw and Human Behavior
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Law

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