Doctor's certificate with approval or disapproval of driver's licence ownership has been systematically utilized in a continuous study during ten years for 398 individuals with drunkenness or drunken driving offences. These individuals have been obliged to present a doctor's certificate to prove to the traffic authority their reliability and competence as drivers. All men (n.374) and women (n.24) have been assessed and accurately investigated, including repeated liver tests and continuous controls at 6-12 months intervals. The majority had been registered at the Department of Alcohol Diseases 12 months before the investigation and many of the younger males had a history of disorderly behaviour in addition to alcohol problems. After investigation including three laboratory tests at a three weeks' interval and in some cases medical treatment for a few months, 76 per cent received an approving doctor's certificate and a recommendation of further control. At the check-ups the same procedure was performed. Of the individuals followed up more than 24 months 131/303 individuals (43 per cent) had a good outcome; none or few had short relapses in heavy drinking and minimal need for hospitalization. These individuals had a mean of 2 hospital days during three and a half years of observation in comparison with those who had a bad outcome and drop-outs, who had 8 and 17 days respectively. Rearrests for alcohol related offences or considerable need for hospitalization because of complications to drinking during follow-up caused licence revocation for at least 6 months. Drunkenness and out-patient treatment for alcoholism without connection to traffic was assessed and usually led to closer controls but no sanction. Licence suspension in conjunction with a long-term medical control seems to be feasible in the rehabilitation of drunken drivers as 64 per cent of the treatment group retained driving licence ownership over a mean of 5 years. (A)
Abstract