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Multiple and Single Location Drinking Among DWI Offenders Referred for Alcoholism Evaluation

NCJ Number
140823
Journal
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 103-116
Author(s)
W F Wieczorek; B A Miller; T H Nochajski
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on a study that examined the behaviors of problem-drinker drivers as a function of the number of places at which they drank prior to their arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Abstract
Data from 461 persons arrested for drunk driving were grouped into multilocation and single-location drinking categories and analyzed. Data on each subject were obtained through a face-to-face interview prior to evaluation by the clinical staff. The results of a complete Mortimer-Filkins test were also part of the data on each subject. The study found that problem-drinker drivers who drank at multiple locations differed substantially from those who drank at only one location. Persons who drank at more than one location prior to their drunk-driving arrest exhibited the most severe alcohol problems. Multilocation drinkers consumed significantly greater amounts of alcohol than single-location drinkers. The multilocation group experienced more alcohol problems in their lives, had higher Mortimer-Filkins test scores, were intoxicated more often, and had a greater probability of a DSM-III-R alcohol- dependence diagnosis. Compared to the single-location drinker, the multilocation group had more bad driving incidents, often drive while drunk (once a week), and expressed the attitude that the drunk driving had less of an impact on their lives. The findings suggest that multilocation drinkers require intensive interventions. 5 tables, 3 notes, and 36 references