NCJ Number
140904
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The treatment histories of 214 severe drunk driving offenders in Erie County (N.Y.) were studied to determine the type of treatment received, the number of different times in treatment, and how other variables such as alcoholism are related to treatment history.
Abstract
The offenders were all repeat offenders and/or on probation for driving while intoxicated. Data were gathered by means of interviews conducted between September 1991 and June 1992. Standard diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association were used to determine alcohol dependence. Results revealed that about 83 percent had been in some form of treatment, not counting participation in mutual aid groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Ninety- one percent of the participants had taken part in a mutual aid group such as AA. Forty-four percent of the offenders had taken part in inpatient treatment, 77 percent in an outpatient program, 8 percent in a halfway house program, 11 percent in marriage or family counseling, 6 percent in religious counseling, 11 percent in treatment from a private medical doctor, 12 percent with a private therapist, and 8 percent with vocational rehabilitation. More than 60 percent were in treatment more than once. The numbers and breadth of treatments indicated that the current system of referral and treatment is not optimal for these offenders and that many offenders may be attending the least intrusive options to regain their driving privileges rather than self-matching to more appropriate treatments. Results indicate the need for developing, implementing, and evaluating treatment matching programs for drunk diving offenders, with matching focusing on such characteristics as the severity of the alcohol problem rather than the number of arrests for driving while intoxicated. Note and 12 references