Are Polydrug Users More Physically and Verbally Aggressive? An Assessment of Aggression Among Mono- Versus Polydrug Users in a University Sample

Abstract

Early research has revealed that patterns of aggression and antisocial behavior are present among polydrug users. Often missing from this discourse is the examination of whether polydrug users are quantitatively different from monodrug users in their use of aggression. Theoretical perspectives are often centered on the psychopharmacological effects of substance use on behavior. Consideration of possible poly- versus monodrug use differences and their impact on aggression has not been investigated. Data from this study were derived from a sample of Midwestern university students ( N = 793). The relationship between violence, aggression, and concurrent polydrug use in the last year is assessed with a series of multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models. Results demonstrate that higher incidents of physical and verbal aggression are reported among polydrug users compared to monodrug users and abstainers. When analyses were broken down by polydrug users (those who engaged in alcohol/marijuana and alcohol/NMUPD [nonmedical use of prescription drugs] stimulants), polydrug users reported higher levels of physical aggression compared to monodrug users. Similarly, monodrug users reported higher levels of physical aggression compared to nonusers. This research extends our understanding of aggression among users from two different subcategories: polydrug users in comparison to those who only engage in one form of substance use. Scholars and practitioners who work with violent offenders should consider patterns of drug use behavior when addressing substance use-related aggression.

Substance-Use Disorders and Violence

“…Cases of drug-related aggressiveness mostly involve a number of molecules, such as ethanol, stimulants, cannabinoids, opiates, benzodiazepines and a range of NPS (Anderson and Bokor, 2012;Ferner, 1996;Moore et al, 2010;Schifano et al, 2015). Conversely, polydrug consumption has been associated with higher number of physical and verbal aggressions compared with single drug abuse (Steele and Peralta, 2017). Overall, however, individuals who engage in substance use are more likely to be involved in several types of deviant behaviours (Osgood et al, 1988) Substances of abuse intake and related neurobiological issues The evidence of a relationship between violence and the use of a range of recreational drugs' ingestion has been suggested to be related to their association with increased dopamine levels (Schifano et al, 2015).…”

Polysubstance Use Patterns among Outpatients Undergoing Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Latent Class Analysis

“…Polydrug use is also associated with worse outcomes and has a high risk of relapse [ 27 , 28 ] and premature mortality due to drug overdose [ 29 ], exhibiting aggressive behavior, suicidal ideation and attempts [ 30 , 31 ]. Yang and colleagues have recently reported an association between polydrug use and major depression, dysthymia, in a study evaluating polydrug use among Chinese heroin users [ 32 ].…”

Problematic online gambling among adolescents: A systematic review about prevalence and related measurement issues

“…In line with this issue, Blaszczynski, Russell, Gainsbury, and Hing (2016) conclude that exclusive online gamblers represent a different subpopulation at lower risk of harm (problem gambling, gambling involvement and consumption of alcohol) compared to gamblers engaging in multiple forms of gambling. This discussion could be compared to that described in the scientific literature on substance abuse about "polydrugs users", that is those who use multiple substances at the same time, who have more negative and severe social and health consequences compared to monosubstance users (Steele & Peralta, 2020).…”