Alcohol Abuse Leads to Crime

In addition to the health problems it causes, alcohol abuse has also been associated with car and other motor vehicle accidents, plus a rise in abuse such as child and domestic violence.  Some have believed for years that alcohol addiction leads to crime and recent studies continue to support this claim.

In the United States, studies have revealed that in more than 40% of the cases of violent crimes alcohol abuse was involved.   This is a jaw-dropping statistic, which definitely proves that alcohol abuse is happening in epidemic proportions and something needs to be done.

Because alcohol is legal and many people drink socially, the stigma associated with alcohol abuse tends to be much different than that of drug abuse.  It seems to be accepted more, and many aren’t aware that such alcohol related crimes are being committed.

The statistics in this study cover a range of violent crimes such as simple assaults, which more than 2/3 of all reported involved some form of alcohol abuse by the offender.   In addition, cases of violence reported by those who are in a relationship (spouse, both current and former, girlfriend or boyfriend) a staggering three out of every four incidents involved at least one of the people involved having consumed alcohol.

Other studies also show that the odds of aggression between male and females can be as much as eight times higher when the men drink as compared to days when they don’t drink.  These studies also show that the chances of extreme violent behavior between men and women is as much as eleven times higher on days that the male is drinking compared to days that he isn’t.

Clearly alcohol abuse can lead to more than just physical problems within our bodies.  As more studies are conducted, more information is uncovered about just how closely intertwined alcohol abuse and crime are.

Claims that alcohol abuse and crime are closely related has been dated as far back as the prohibition days, and even though for years some of the research on the link between the two declined.  In recent years the studies have been brought to the forefront, which the claims are conclusive, alcohol abuse does lead to crime.

If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol, there is help available. Beginning the road to recovery is as simple as making a phone call to a reputable treatment facility that is there to help.