Citation

Palmer RS, Ball SA, Rounsaville BJ, O'Malley SS. Alcohol Clin. Exp. Res. 2007; 31(4): 619-624.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Abuse, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA. rebekka.palmer@yale.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1530-0277.2007.00346.x

PMID

17374041

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders report high rates of substance dependence and other psychiatric disorders. METHOD: The current study evaluated the prevalence, clinical correlates at program admission, and prognostic significance over a 1-year follow-up of 2 diagnostic subgroup variables (drug abuse or dependence; mood or anxiety disorder) among 290 first-time DWI offenders receiving group counseling interventions. RESULTS: A lifetime diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence (42% of sample) was associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption, lower coping confidence, greater readiness to change, increased alcohol, drug, and legal problems, and more alcohol-related negative consequences at the initiation of DWI intervention. Significant decreases in drinking were noted at intervention termination for the drug diagnoses subgroup, but were not sustained at 1-year follow-up. The presence of a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety or mood disorder (30% of sample) was associated with lower coping confidence, greater readiness to change, and with greater and more enduring negative consequences of drinking during the DWI intervention and 1-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a psychiatric diagnosis might guide the intervention and aftercare planning for DWI offenders to reduce recidivism and drinking.

Language: en