ABSTRACT
Rounding off the Central Eight is substance misuse. Subsumed under substance misuse are alcohol use and the use of illegal drugs. The purpose of separating alcohol use from other drug use is twofold. First, the relationship between alcohol use and crime is generally weaker than the relationship between illegal drug use and crime. Second, the criminal justice system is far less tolerant of drug use than alcohol use. For adults, purchasing alcohol is legal, and consuming alcohol is punished only in specified situations (e.g., driving under the influence). The possession and use of illegal drugs, even small amounts, can result in severe criminal justice penalties.
The chapter reviews the prediction literature in order to evaluate the magnitude of the predictive validity for both alcohol and drug misuse. Both are also dynamic risk factors. That is, they change; one can develop a substance use problem and one can leave it behind. The treatment literature clearly shows the changeable quality to substance use and how it can be addressed.
