Citation

Lapham SC, de Baca J, McMillan G, Hunt WC. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2004; 76(2): 135-141.

Affiliation

Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, 612 Encino Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.04.020

PMID

15488337

Abstract

Background: Most US courts use screening programs to evaluate substance-abuse problems of convicted driving while impaired (DWI) offenders. Typically self-report information determines need for treatment. However, little is known about the accuracy of self-reports of alcohol-use problems in this population. Methods: DSM-III-R alcohol abuse and dependence diagnoses from an initial, court-ordered screening evaluation of 583 female and 495 male convicted DWI offenders were compared with diagnoses and other self-reported information from a voluntary, noncoerced interview 5 years after the screening referral. Results: At initial screening, 16.8% of offenders were diagnosed with alcohol abuse and 20.1% with alcohol dependence. At the 5-year interview, 19.9 and 60.1% received a retrospective diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence at the age at which they were screened. Significantly fewer of those with a retrospective alcohol diagnosis reported that their alcohol use self-reports at screening were "very accurate" compared to those with no retrospective diagnosis. Conclusions: Although many DWI offenders undergoing screening have diagnosable alcohol-related problems, underreporting is common, leading to inaccurate diagnosis and, therefore, a missed treatment opportunity. The research community and policymakers should review and reform the current screening system for alcohol-impaired drivers to better address this serious public health problem.