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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
09:26
Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
Alcoholism and female criminality
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|October 1, 1982
Summary
Female felons show high rates of alcoholism, similar to male criminals. Many alcoholic women achieved remission, but alcohol abuse correlated with medical issues.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Alcoholism rates in female offenders are understudied.
- Previous research indicates higher rates of male alcoholics in the general population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of alcoholism in female felons.
- To explore associations between alcoholism and other psychiatric conditions.
- To examine the long-term outcomes of alcoholism in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 66 unselected female felons was assessed for alcoholism.
- Diagnoses were based on established criteria.
- Follow-up occurred 6 years later to assess remission and health outcomes.
Main Results:
- 47% of female felons were diagnosed with alcoholism, a rate comparable to male criminals.
- Alcoholism was associated with antisocial personality and homosexuality, but not affective disorder.
- 52% of alcoholic women achieved remission after 6 years.
- Alcohol abuse was linked to increased medical problems, psychiatric hospitalizations, and mortality.
- Criminal recidivism was not significantly associated with alcoholism.
Conclusions:
- Female felons represent a high-risk group for alcoholism.
- Alcoholism in this population has significant medical comorbidities.
- Remission is achievable, and substance use patterns may not shift between alcohol and drugs.
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