This paper presents the results of a project to examine the treatment histories of severe DWI offenders (people convicted of any drinking and driving offence). The sample consisted of 214 severe DWI offenders (repeat offenders and/or offenders on probation for DWI) in Erie County, NY, USA. The project aimed to determine (1) the types of treatment received; (2) the number of different times in treatment (not the number of treatment sessions); (3) possible relations to treatment history of other variables such as alcohol dependence. During the interview of each offender, demographic data, the history of alcohol-related treatments, the total number of DWI arrests, and diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence were obtained. Subjects were also asked if they had participated in mutual aid groups. The sample was 90% male, 81% white, and 83% had received some form of treatment. Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and correlation analysis were used to examine the relationships between treatment history and other variables in an exploratory statistical assessment. An unexpected finding was the complexity of the treatment histories, suggesting strongly the need to improve the current system of referral and treatment for DWI offenders.
Abstract