NCJ Number
74869
Date Published
1979
Length
89 pages
Annotation
A study was conducted of drunken driving offenders in the portion of Los Angeles County designated as the Mini-Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) area to compare the effectiveness of three major rehabilitation programs: Disulfiram, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Court School programs.
Abstract
Samples of drivers were used who were referred by the courts to various types of treatments. In addition to the four experimental treatment modalities of 'Disulfiram Only,' 'Disulfiram Plus,' Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and a court school group, a fifth 'no treatment' group was selected. These latter subjects, arrested for alcohol-related offenses, were given only jail and/or a fine as a sentence. Multiple regression analysis of clinic files and driving records for each group to determine treatment effectiveness revealed that at the end of 18 months, 'Disulfiram Plus,' Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Court School were effective in reducing recidivism. 'Disulfiram Plus,' compared with 'Disulfiram Only' treatment, was effective in reducing recidivism for clients who had been in treatment for 18 months. In addition, the more alcohol-related prior offenses a subject had and the younger his age, the more likely he would be to have a higher incidence of recidivism. A study of recidivism rates at 6-month intervals showed no consistent pattern in recidivism rates, as well as no significant differences among the overall 1973 treatment groups studied. However, significant variances were found for alcohol-related offenses and crashes among the 1974 groups studied. The 'no-treatment' comparison group's rates maintained a midway position among the various treatment groups. In comparison to the 'no-treatment' group, both the 1973 and 1974 treatment groups either had the same or higher rates of accidents and other alcohol-related recidivism offenses in the 30-month period after the criterion date. However, persons who completed treatment had significantly fewer alcohol-related offenses than persons who dropped treatment. Recidivists were predominantly younger, unmarried males, with a lower percentage in professional and managerial positions. Twenty-nine tables, eight figures, and five appendices are provided.