Psychology Today | 20.12.2025 02:44
Violence associated with psychoactive substance use has long been recognized as a contributing factor in assaults and homicides. Although doctors can’t diagnose a person whom they haven’t personally evaluated, psychiatrists can identify substances that have been used to promote violence and also those that individuals with volatile or violent behavior histories should avoid. The strongest and most reproducible association with partner or interpersonal violence is alcohol. In addition, stimulants like cocaine (often with alcohol) and methamphetamine have been attributed to violent crimes. Experts have also linked other drugs to violence, as in the Manson Murders and other high-profile cases.
