Citation

Nochajski TH, Stasiewicz PR, Gonzalez S. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 2000; 2000: -p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A motivational interviewing (MI) approach focused on harm reduction of substance use may provide a way for therapists to better engage and retain DWI (driving while intoxicated) clients in the treatment process. This study involved 25 individuals who were assessed using an MI approach. Of the 25 individuals, eight met qualifications for a substance use disorder and were referred for treatment. All eight individuals completed the treatment program. The other 17 initially did not meet criteria for a substance use disorder and were not officially mandated to treatment. However, 14 of these individuals (82%) came back for follow-up harm reduction sessions. Furthermore, within a 24-month follow-up period, none of the eight treated or 14 harm reduction session attendees were subsequently arrested for a DWI following discharge from the program. In contrast, one of the three individuals that chose not to participate in further harm reduction sessions was subsequently arrested for a DWI in the follow-up period. The findings suggest that an MI approach can be effective with DWI offenders.