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= __Conduct Disorder/Antisocial Personality Disorder and Alcohol Use__ = = __What is the Relationship?__ = By: Jillian Polson, Stephanie Hutchinson and Whitney Ricard



Research suggests that alcohol dependency and conduct/antisocial personality disorder commonly occur together. Conduct disorder is a disorder that begins in childhood, and often involves a variety of problematic behaviours. If donduct disorder is not properly treated at a young age, it can lead to antisocial personality disorder. Studies show that these two disorders have been linked to different forms of substance abuse, a common one being alcohol.
 * __Conduct Disorder/Antisocial Personality Disorder and Drug Dependency__**

Conduct disorder is a psychiatric category marked by a pattern of repetitive behaviour where in the rights of others or social norms are violated. Symptoms include verbal and physical aggression, cruel behaviour toward people and pets, destructive behaviour, lying, truancy, vandalism, and stealing. Persons diagnosed with conduct disorder not only inflict serious physical and psychological harm on others, but they are at a great risk of incarceration, injury, depression, substance abuse and death by homicide and suicide. Research suggests that approximately 6-16% of boys and 2-9% of girls meet the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder (Searight, Rottnek, & Abby, 2001). After the age of 18, a conduct disorder may develop into antisocial personality disorder.
 * __What is Conduct Disorder?__**



Antisocial personality disorder is often thought of as an extension of onduct disorder that develops in early adulthood. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder cannot be diagnosed until at least, the age of 18. These individuals often display patterns of rule/law violation, and a disregard for the rights of others. Behaviours may include violations of the law, lying and deception, aggressiveness, irresponsibility in everyday life (including social and work settings), lack of remorse, lack of empathy, carelessness, and a lack of concern for the safety of self, or others. Antisocial personality disorder is more common in men than women. Prevalence studies indicate that 3% of men in the general population, and 1% of women in the general population are living with antisocial personality disorder.
 * __What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?__**

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