Female PCP-using jail detainees: proneness to violence and gender differences

Previous studies indicate that PCP users have different characteristics from other drug users and that female PCP use is more common than use among males. Furthermore, there is evidence that those who respond to PCP with violence may differ from those who do not. This study attempted to examine comprehensively the psychological, behavioral, and background factors among female jail inmates that may contribute to a PCP preference and subjects' perception of various behavioral states while using PCP. Female PCP users were further examined relative to male PCP users to differentiate them on the basis of these perceptual factors. A distinction was further made between females and males prone to PCP-induced violence and those who do not become violent with respect to the above psychological and behavioral measures. Our results showed differences between male and female PCP users that are discrepant with the assumption that men and women perceive similar drug-related experiences. In particular, female PCP using subjects reported more dysphoria and aggressiveness when not using PCP, while male subjects were more likely to report aggressive behavior and dysphoria under the influence. Overall, these results suggest that males who prefer PCP may be self-stimulating and females who prefer PCP may be attempting to self-medicate.

Psychological correlates of frequency and type of drug use among jail inmates

The comorbidity of drug abuse and various forms of psychopathology is pervasive and well documented. In particular, the incidence of depression, anxiety, and antisocial personality disorder is high among substance abusers relative to non-drug abusers. Offender populations have a high rate of substance abuse, and some studies suggest that the incidence of psychopathology may be even greater than in other drug using groups. In order to identify specific types of psychopathology as they relate to drug preferences and frequency of use among drug-using offenders, arrestees at the Baltimore City Detention Center were examined. During extensive interviews, drug-abusing arrestees provided information pertaining to their backgrounds, childhood histories, biological relatives, present behaviors, and criminal and drug histories. Additionally, several psychological inventories were administered to evaluate the presence of depression, anxiety, psychopathy, and impulsivity. Results indicate that the frequency with which subjects reported using specific drugs and drug of choice were significantly associated with particular measures of psychopathology. A composite measure of psychopathy was especially related to the frequency of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use. Subjects who reported using cocaine on a frequent basis scored high on measures of hostility and reported committing more property crimes, while violent crimes were more likely to be reported by subjects scoring high on the measure of psychopathy. Other noteworthy findings will be discussed along with the limitations of this study.

Drug users' self-reports of behaviors and affective states under the influence of alcohol

This study tested a modified version of the Alcohol-Related Behavior Questionnaire (ARBQ) to investigate the influence of alcohol on negative mood states. The ARBQ asked subjects (substance users and those not misusing drugs or alcohol) to recall various moods and behaviors under three drug conditions: sober, drinking, and drunk. Tests of the ARBQ subscales provided support for its reliability and validity. Scale scores measuring negative affect increased as levels of recalled alcohol intake increased, suggesting that larger amounts of alcohol produced more negative and aggressive feelings. Alcohol-dependent subjects reported more anger and aggression with increasing levels of alcohol intake than nonproblem drinkers. These data further indicated that, among those with alcohol dependence, a history of childhood aggression is an important predictor of negative behaviors and feelings associated with alcohol intake. Among other groups of drug users, a diagnosis of antisocial personality was relatively more important.

Neuroendocrine responses to a glucose challenge in substance users with high and low levels of aggression, impulsivity, and antisocial personality

Plasma glucose concentrations, and plasma prolactin and cortisol responses to a 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 37 substance abusers, were examined to assess the relationship between varying degrees of antisocial personality, impulsivity, and aggressiveness and measures of endocrine function. Childhood and presenting aggression, impulsivity and antisocial personality features were evaluated by several self-report questionnaires. Those with high scores for psychopathic deviance (MMPI) differed in glucose levels following OGTT from those with low scores. Lower cortisol nadir levels were associated with higher scores on measures of antisocial personality and aggressiveness. Also, prolactin response to glucose was attenuated relative to baseline levels in the more antisocial and aggressive subjects. The results indicate that substance abusers with high levels of self-reported antisocial personality and aggressive behavior have altered neuroendocrine responses to glucose challenge, although there was no evidence of hypoglycemia. No one personality or behavioral trait, as measured by our test battery, more strongly predicted neuroendocrine responses to glucose administration. Thus, our data partially support other reports of altered neuroendocrine responses to stressful challenges in aggressive/antisocial individuals.

Medicalizing the drug war

Recent findings in the field of psychopharmacology pertain to the abuse of drugs and alcohol among criminal offenders and have implications for new management techniques. Drugs of abuse exert their effects on areas of the brain responsible for pleasure, providing a powerful reinforcement for drug usage. Furthermore, there is a prevalence of psychological, psychiatric and social dysfunctions that antedate drug use which are identifiable at an early age. It is suggested that drugs of abuse differentially influence users via these biological, psychological and social mechanisms, reinforcing the development of serious and chronic abuse in a vulnerable subgroup. Studies of drug abuse specially indicate that within this subgroup, antisocial behavior precedes and exacerbates drug abuse, and multiple risk factors contribute to the concomitant development of criminality and drug abuse. Early detection and comprehensive treatment of underlying disorders that may both precipitate and result from drug abuse promise to improve possibilities for prevention and reducing relapse rates. Furthermore, the inclusion of pharmacologic treatments may further enhance the success of conventional drug treatments. This article proposes that incorporating scientific data and medicalizing our approach to drug abuse is essential to win the war against drugs.

Ingestion of carbohydrates varying in complexity produce differential brain responses

Variations in the complexity of carbohydrate substances were studied with respect to their differential effects on brain function. Glucose, sucrose, fructose and corn starch were each administered as part of an oral carbohydrate tolerance test during 17 test trials. Brain EEG changes and blood glucose levels were monitored concurrently throughout a 5 hour period. The glucose solution produced more substantial EEG effects than the other three carbohydrate solutions. Absolute blood glucose level was the primary determinant of electrocortical changes found predominantly in the left parietal-occipital and left temporal cortical regions. Implications for the study and evaluation of cognitive function were discussed.

EEG and brainstem auditory evoked response potentials in adult male drug abusers with self-reported histories of aggressive behavior

Auditory brainstem evoked response (BAER) and spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) were measured in 124 adult male drug abusers. We examined the relationships among psychiatric diagnoses, paper and pencil measures of aggression and hostility, and electrophysiological features. Subjects meeting criteria for antisocial personality disorder (ASP), as defined by DSM-III, were not significantly different from non-ASP subjects for either BAER or spontaneous EEG measures. The more overtly aggressive subjects had significant delays in BAER latency. Aggressive subjects also had more delta activity and less alpha activity in the spontaneous EEG, as have been observed in "psychopaths" and "criminals." Although ASP and aggression are related, these data indicate that aggressiveness may be a separate, albeit overlapping, trait. As both early aggression and a diagnosis of ASP are predictors of later drug use, the findings that only aggression was associated with EEG slowing and brainstem delays may indicate that ASP and aggression make independent contributions to vulnerability to the development of drug abuse.

Impulsivity, aggression, and neuroendocrine responses to serotonergic stimulation in substance abusers

Alterations in the activity of central serotonergic systems have been implicated in impulsive and aggressive behavior. We examined the neuroendocrine and psychological responses of 24 substance users with differing levels of aggressiveness and impulsivity to the oral administration of an indirect serotonin agonist fenfluramine (60 mg) or placebo given in a double-blind crossover design. All subjects were volunteers on a closed research ward and were abstinent from drugs for a minimum of 5 days. Baseline plasma prolactin (PRL) levels were greater in the groups with higher levels of self-reported aggressiveness and impulsivity. When adjusted for the baseline, PRL and cortisol responses 180 min after fenfluramine administration were significantly elevated in subjects with higher levels of aggressiveness and impulsivity. Peak cortisol levels were correlated with impulsivity. PRL and cortisol responses to fenfluramine were more strongly correlated with impulsivity than aggressiveness. Also, the more impulsive subjects reported a decrease in subjective states of depression, hostility and anxiety after drug treatment. These data further support the hypothesis of altered serotonergic activity in aggressive and impulsive behaviors.

The self-reported effects of PCP on human aggression

The elicitation of violent of psychotic behavior by phencyclidine (PCP) administration is well documented. There are indications, however, that behavioral responses to PCP may differ among PCP users as a function of background or personality characteristics. The present study examined 35 male jail inmates with histories of PCP use. Estimates of the nature and extent of drug use and self-reports of previous psychiatric hospitalizations were obtained in these subjects. The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory was modified to reflect behaviors under the two simulated conditions of "No PCP" and "PCP" use. Results showed that PCP use was related to increased levels of hostility in our subjects when present age, age of first use, the frequency of use and suspicion and assaultive behavior when not using PCP was considered. Also, subjects with a history of psychiatric hospitalizations reported higher levels of assault when using PCP than those without psychiatric histories. These data suggest that the self-reported behavioral results of PCP use are associated with certain personality traits and background features.

Alcoholics, aggression and antisocial personality

This study investigated relationships among antisocial personality (ASP) disorder, a childhood history of aggressive behavior and violent behavior in a sample of 77 hospitalized alcoholics. Patients classified according to childhood aggression (high, low) and ASP (present, absent) were compared using self-report measures of anger, aggression, depression, well-being and sociability. Items measuring these variables were rated in terms of the patients' typical behavior while drinking and while sober. Alcoholics reported more anger and aggression when drinking than when sober and this effect was greatest among individuals with a history of childhood aggression. ASP accounted for negligible amounts of the variance when the effects of childhood aggression were considered independently. Results indicate that both alcohol consumption and childhood antecedents contribute to the manifestation of violent behavior by alcoholics.