Gender differences in the relationship of alcohol and drug use to criminal behavior in a sample of arrestees

This paper examines differences between men and women in the relationship of alcohol and drug use to criminal offenses, including violent behavior. A probability sample of men (N = 959) and women (N = 188) arrestees were interviewed in a northern California county. No significant differences were found between men and women in patterns of drug use, but more men than women reported heavy drinking. A higher proportion of men than women reported violence in the events related to their arrest (p < or = .02). Logistic regression examined the relationship of heavy drinking and violent offenses, controlling for drug use and demographic variables. Frequent heavy drinking (OR = 1.47), white ethnicity (OR = .51), and being married (OR = 1.93) were significant; gender was not significant. The results have implications for future research on gender and violence.