NCJ Number
11259
Date Published
1964
Length
55 pages
Annotation
DISTRIBUTION AND NATURE OF DRINKING AND DRUNKEN BEHAVIOR, ALCOHOLISM AS A DISEASE, AND THE CORRECTIONAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLISM.
Abstract
THE CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR WHICH FOLLOW THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ARE A FUNCTION OF PERSONALITY, SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS, RATHER THAN PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ALONE. STANDARD PERSONALITY TESTS FAIL TO DIFFERENTIATE ALCOHOLICS FROM NON-ALCOHOLICS. TESTS SHOW THAT A MAJORITY OF PERSONS ARRESTED FOR FELONIES HAVE BEEN DRINKING, ESPECIALLY IN CASES OF ARMED ASSAULT AND WEAPON POSSESSION. ALCOHOLISM IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH 'NATIVE' OFFENSES, SUCH AS PETTY FORGERIES TO FINANCE DRINKING HABITS. THESE ALCOHOLIC FORGERS ARE GENERALLY OLDER AND MORE EDUCATED THAN MOST CRIMINALS. CHRONIC POLICE CASE INEBRIATES, THE LARGEST ARREST CATEGORY IN THE UNITED STATES, ARE INVOLVED IN DISORDERLY CONDUCT, DRUNKEN DRIVING AND VAGRANCY OFFENSES. THESE CASES ARE A HEAVY BURDEN TO PAROLE BOARDS BECAUSE OF RECURRENT DRUNKENNESS ARRESTS IN MIDDLE AND OLD AGE. THE AUTHORS DISCUSS THE ROLE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IN THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLICS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE PRISON.