Antisocial personality disorder (ASP) is particularly germane to alcohol and drug abuse because it co-occurs in a large proportion of those who abuse alcohol or drugs, and it confounds the diagnosis of, influences the course of, and is an independent risk factor for the development of alcohol or drug abuse disorder. Additionally, scientific evidence suggests that alcohol and drug abuse complicated by ASP is more heritable than is substance abuse without ASP.

In the latest diagnostic classification system DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL-4th edition (DSM-IV), ASP is defined as a disorder that begins in childhood orearly adolescence and continues into adulthood; it is characterized by a general disregard for and violation of the rights of others. At least three of the following behaviors must have occurred in any twelve-month period of time before the age of 15, with two before age 13: running away from home overnight twice...