A Cognitive Therapy Treatment Program for Repeat DUI Offenders
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2008
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2008.09.004
Abstract
Driving under the influence is a devastating problem in the United States, killing almost 17,000 people in 2005. The present article describes a cognitive treatment program aimed at repeat drinking and driving offenders. Sixty-three participants were court mandated to the four-month outpatient treatment program. Before entering and after completing treatment, participants were administered self-report instruments measuring alcohol problems, readiness to change, self-esteem/efficacy, and criminal thinking patterns. Additionally, arrest histories were examined. Findings suggested that participants were characterized not only by repeated arrests, but elevated blood alcohol content and high levels of self-reported alcohol dependency and problem-drinking behaviors. The majority of clients expressed a readiness to change their drinking and driving behaviors with 87 percent graduating from the program. A DUI recidivism rate of 13 percent was found for graduates of the program at a twenty-one month follow-up. The results demonstrate that the treatment program is a valuable tool in the battle to reduce criminal recidivism.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Criminal Justice, v. 36, issue 6, p. 539-545
Scholar Commons Citation
Moore, Kathleen A.; Harrison, Melissa; Young, M. Scott; and Ochshorn, Ezra, "A Cognitive Therapy Treatment Program for Repeat DUI Offenders" (2008). Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications. 847.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/mhlp_facpub/847
