10027: The Criminal Personality: volume III: The Drug User

About the Course:

This third volume on the criminal mind is about criminals who are also alcohol or drug users. It summarizes observations, interpretations, and conclusions derived from a study of 121 criminal men who used drugs and/or alcohol to excess. Systematic, probing, and repeated interviews were used as the vehicle for gathering information on common mental themes among men apprehended and sentenced for criminal acts.

Yochelson and Samenow attribute crime to a series of early irresponsible choices that predate drug use among drug-using criminals. In what is called an indiscriminate serach for excitement, drug-using criminals are characterized as expanding their criminal repertoire while excusing their actions by rationalizations. You will find an intriguing presentation of drug-user thinking. You will also find helpful information regarding how those with a criminal life-style can correct irresponsible thoughts and behaviors through application of a cognitive-behavioral framework.

Author

Samuel Yochelson, M.D., Ph.D., & Staton e. Samenow, Ph.D.

About the Authors:

Dr. Yochelson was Director of the Program for the Investigation of Criminal Behavior at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, DC and Research Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Samenow graduated from Yale University and earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan. He is the author of “Straight Talk About Criminals” and collaborator with Dr. Samuel Yochelson on the landmark three-volume work “The Criminal Personality.” He has served on three presidential task forces on crime and drug issues.

Course Objectives:

1. To understand common mental themes of criminal drug-users

2. To understand how personality and personal choice are critical in initiating and maintaining the criminal life-style

3. To understand principles for encouraging behavior change