Abstract
Introduction Substance use disorder and criminal behaviors are increasing
all over the world day by day. Factors that affect the involvement in crime
among people with substance use disorders need to be examined more. This
research aims to investigate the protective factors of substance users’
involvement in crime and clarify the importance of telling parents about their
substance use.
Method A total of 190 patients with substance use disorders were included.
Patients were divided into two groups: those who told their families about their
substance use (TP+) and those who did not tell (TP-). A sociodemographic
data form, the short form of My Memories of Upbringing Scale for perceived
parental attitudes, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised, and
Emotional Autonomy Scale were used.
Results Our study found that people in the TP+group were less
involved in crime than TP-. Telling rates increased proportionally when
individuals' anxious attachment and individuation levels rose. In the
TP+group, criminal history was correlated positively with substance use
duration.
Conclusion Telling their families that they are using substances can be a
protective factor in itself against crime among drug users, especially in the
early stages of addiction. Professionals in addiction psychiatry should
encourage their patients to tell their substance use. Teaching and encouraging
them to communicate with their relatives might play a key role for policymakers
while dealing with substance use disorders and related outcomes.
Key words
substance use disorder - family relations - crime - individuation
Schlüsselwörter
Substanzgebrauchsstörung - Familienbeziehungen - Verbrechen - Individualisierung
