Citation

Winkler W. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1993; 1993: 263-283.

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 briefly reviews approaches to rehabilitation of drunk drivers in various European countries, and discusses common trends in rehabilitation measures, successful course programmes, and future prospects for rehabilitation programmes. Rehabilitation programmes have been most comprehensive in Germany, where there are currently three different forms of rehabilitation, and they have also been adopted in Great Britain, The Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland and Hungary. Their possible introduction is being discussed in some other countries, such as France and Finland. Rehabilitation programmes arose after several behavioural and psychological predictors of drink and driving re-offending had been discovered. Drunk drivers range from 'careless drinkers' to addicted alcoholics; thus measures for their rehabilitation must be adapted to their shortcomings and their abilities. It is essential for these individuals to examine within themselves the causes of their offence and to take responsibility for correcting it. Group therapy methods dominate, but various forms of individual psycotherapy are also used. The characteristics of successful rehabilitation programmes, which are effective in the long term, are outlined. Some comments are made on the future development and improvement of rehabilitation measures.