Crime and Alcohol

Many factors have been found to contribute to delinquent behaviors and crime. In addition to environmental factors such as socioeconomic status and the cultures or values accepted within a community, additional factors such as genetics and individual lifestyle choices have found to contribute to delinquent behaviors and crime. One individual lifestyle choice that researchers have found to contribute to increased risk of delinquent behaviors and crime is alcohol abuse and consumption.

There are several ways in which alcohol abuse and consumption contribute to the increased risk of crime and delinquent behaviors. One way is through alcohol related accidents. Simply, if an individual abuses alcohol or is under the influence of alcohol when driving, he or she is at high risk for causing a fatal or non-fatal motor vehicle accident. Another way that alcohol abuse and consumption contribute to the increased risk of crime and delinquent behaviors is irrational thinking. Research studies have revealed that individuals that are intoxicated are more likely to commit crimes of passion and domestic abuse than counterparts because they are not able to control his or her emotions and think in a rational manner. At the same time, individuals are more likely to participate in petty crimes such as traffic offenses and vandalism as well as violent crimes such as armed robbery and rape because they are not able to control their emotions and think in a rational manner.