Assessment of Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol‐Related Offending Behaviour

Abstract

This chapter summarizes research on the prevalence of substance use disorders - particularly alcohol use disorder (AUD) - amongst individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in a forensic context and its relationship to offending behaviour. It provides suggestions for the assessment of substance use in individuals with IDD in a forensic context. Similar to prevalence rates in the wider IDD population, the prevalence rates of substance use disorders (SUD) amongst individuals with IDD in forensic settings differ across studies. Substance use and offending behaviour are closely related and this relationship can be explained in several ways European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Despite the relationship between alcohol use and offending behaviour, several studies report low levels of substance use involvement in index offences. Systematic screening and assessment of alcohol use and AUD in individuals with IDD in forensic contexts is relevant for both the offender and society in general.