ABSTRACT
Criminal offending and substance use disorder are closely related (Nurco, Hanlon, Kinlock, & Slaught, 1990). However, little research exists around the subject of the possibility of core social motives (Fiske, 2004) that may drive a social identity that is linked with criminal activity, with addiction or with a lifestyle that involves both. Being a member of the criminal fraternity may furnish individuals with social motives that have been previously absent and with a social status and a sense of belonging that are valued and valuable. Alternatively, being an addict may be a response (albeit not an intentional one) to a deficit in core social needs and addressing this need may necessitate criminal activity to fund this lifestyle and the substance use linked to it. However, single motives are unlikely and there is likely to be a complex interplay between motives and identities that evolve over the course of substance using and offending careers.
