Citation

Stephan E. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1993; 1993: 229-236.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper formulates seven hypotheses about the scientific psychological prognosis of future driving problems, which are based on empirical information and clinical experience. Several detailed comments are made and a conclusion is drawn, for each of the following hypotheses: (1) the relationship between alcohol misuse, alcohol dependence, and drinking and driving problems is very important in the expert assessment of a convicted drinking driver; (2) the negative effects of chronic alcohol misuse, that result in misuse tolerance, are not equivalent to dependence on alcohol; (3) in expert examinations, it is impossible to demonstrate physical signs of withdrawal to determine the presence of physical dependence; (4) biological aspects of alcohol tolerance and biochemical effects of alcohol consumption are eventually more important for predicting behaviour than the relationship between genetic disposition and the risk of becoming alcohol-dependent; (5) a 'contented abstinence' from alcohol is evidenced by 'controlled dealings' with alcohol, rather than by a pause in drinking or a forced abandonment of alcohol consumption; (6) an acceptable positive traffic prognosis is more likely from evidence of 'contented abstinence' than by determining alcohol dependence; (7) absence of past or future alcohol problems should not be deduced from current absence of abnormal organic and chemical findings.