Assessment of alcohol dependence and other psychiatric disorders: implications for rehabilitation programs of the DUI offender.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the psychological make-up or profile of the first time "apprehended" Driving Under the Influence offenders from the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The profiles are compiled using a variety of psychological tests assessing issues of: Alcohol Dependence, Major Depression, Personality deviance, alcohol induced Organicity and severe Psychiatric impairment (symptoms of schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorders). 91% of the alcohol impaired drivers complained of at least some acute symptoms of depression. However, in total 38% of the sample showed significant signs of a clinical psychiatric syndrome (one requiring intervention or treatment) in addition to alcohol dependence. The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test and the MacAndrews Alcoholism Test proved to be a useful combination in defining alcohol dependence.