J Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry.  2021 Oct;27(3):163-172.

A Comparison of Drinking, Emotional Characteristics and Their Correlations between Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder with and without Criminal Record

• Jeong HS
• Byun WT
• Park YM
• Kim SH
• Park HW
• Jeong JW
• Kim WG
• Joo SH

Abstract

Objectives
：In this study, socio-demographic, drinking and emotional characteristics, and their correlations were compared among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) according to the presence or absence of any type of criminal record.
Methods
：Among patients admitted to the hospital with AUD, 27 with and 31 without criminal records were included. Socio-demographic data and drinking characteristics such as first drinking age, average daily alcohol consumption were collected. In addition, the severity of alcohol problems, the degree of change readiness for drinking alcohol, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and impulsivity were evaluated using scales and statistically analyzed. Pearson’s correlation test was applied to reveal the differences in correlation of the characteristics according to the presence or absence of criminal records.
Results
：The first drinking age was significantly earlier in the AUD group with criminal records. Interestingly, the degree of change readiness regarding alcohol problem as shown in SOCRATES-K was significantly higher in the AUD group with criminal records. Anxiety symptoms were statistically significantly higher in the AUD group with criminal records. In AUD with criminal records, first drinking age negatively correlated with the degree of change readiness. In AUD without criminal records, first drinking age correlated negatively with the severity of alcohol problem, and the degree of change readiness, and the degree of change readiness negatively with age, and the degree of change readiness positively with the severity of alcohol problem. In Both groups, anxiety symptoms positively correlated with depressive symptoms.
Conclusions
：This study showed that AUD patients with criminal record had a faster first drinking age and the higher degree of change readiness regarding alcohol problem. Significantly higher symptoms of anxiety were also presented in AUD patients with criminal record than AUD patients who have no criminal records. Some differences were identified in correlations among characteristics between the two groups.

Keyword

Criminals; Alcoholism; Depression; Anxiety; Motivation