Bringing Alcohol Treatment to Driving Under the Influence Programs: Perceptions from First-Time Offenders

ABSTRACT

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are common among persons with a first-time driving under the influence (DUI) arrest. Individuals with a DUI arrest may attend a DUI alcohol education program for license reinstatement. The authors evaluated the acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for AUDs adapted for DUI programs. Participants (N = 35) were enrolled in one of two DUI programs in Los Angeles and were an average of age 34.5 (SD = 11.9) years, 66% male, 37.1% African American, 34.2% Hispanic/Latino(a), and 20% non-Hispanic White. The authors analyzed data from 10 focus groups and 35 self-report surveys that evaluated the nine-session CBT group protocol. Overall, participants stated that the CBT philosophy was acceptable and helpful in thinking about how to prevent future DUIs. They also found the coping skills in the sessions relevant to other life events and decisions. Participants valued the personal disclosure and interactive role-play and group exercises embedded within each session, stating that these exercises helped with group cohesion and self-disclosure. Data from satisfaction surveys showed that participants reported high satisfaction ratings on the overall session, session content, and session facilitator. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether evidence-based treatment within DUI programs may increase access to evidence-based care among individuals who are at risk and who may not otherwise seek treatment for their AUDs.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• alcohol use disorders
• driving under the influence

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank James Gilmore for his consultation and guidance in securing the DUI programs in this study, and Rosie Velasquez for her assistance editing this article.

Funding

The current study was funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD; R01MD007762, Principal Investigator: Karen Chan Osilla). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities or the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

The current study was funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD; R01MD007762, Principal Investigator: Karen Chan Osilla). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities or the National Institutes of Health.