Road traffic accidents among alcohol-dependent patients: The effect of treatment

Abstract

It is well known that driving under the influence of alcohol increases the risk of traffic accidents. Alcohol-dependent patients are responsible for two-thirds of motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol. Studies carried out on the general population have shown a relation between alcohol dependence and traffic accidents.The aim of the study is to analyse the effect on traffic accidents of treatment of patients with alcohol-related problems. To do so, the prevalence of traffic problems in a sample of patients with a diagnosed dependence on alcohol was assessed for three periods: during their lifetime, in the year preceding the start of treatment and over the year of treatment.A prospective study was carried out of 176 patients (147 males, 29 females; mean age 42.9 years) diagnosed as alcohol dependent according to the DSM-IV criteria in three alcoholic treatment centres in Castilla y León, Spain.36.9% of the alcohol-dependent patients had had some kind of traffic problem during their life and 8.5% in the year prior to starting treatment. The most frequent problem was positive breath tests, followed by accidents with damage to the vehicle. Sixty-nine of the 176 patients were still receiving treatment after a year. The prevalence of traffic problems among those patients who followed treatment for 1 year (4.3%) was lower than in the year before treatment (15.9%).The study showed that the treatment is also effective in reducing traffic problems.

Study of the Pattern and Frequency of Road Traffic Injuries in Car Occupants in the Eastern Part of Iran

“…Based on the findings of the present study, traumatic injuries in men were more than women, although this difference was not statistically significant. The results are consistent with other studies [12][13][14][15] because men are more likely to work outside and, therefore, more at risk of accidents. The results of our study also showed that in both sexes, the age group of 30-40 years had the highest rate of traumatic injuries, which are consistent with the findings of the other studies [16][17][18].…”

Gender Differences in DUI Offenders in Treatment in Texas

“…There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that treatment can reduce recidivism and produce beneficial client outcomes (Eibner et al, 2006;Finkbiner & Wisdom, 2004;Gomez-Talegon & Alvarez, 2006;Nochajski & Stasiewicz, 2002;Pratt et al, 2000;Wells-Parker et al, 1995).…”

Alcohol use disorder history moderates the relationship between avoidance coping and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

“…It was hypothesized that AVC would be associated with greater subsequent PTSS and that AVC and AUD history would interact such that the relationship between AVC and PTSS would be stronger for those with versus without an AUD history. In addition, individuals with BACs ≥ 0.08 during the MVA were examined in separate analyses, given that a high proportion of individuals with AUDs were anticipated to belong to this subset (Gómez-Talegón & Alvarez, 2006; Lapham et. al., 2001).…”