Substance Abuse: Drinking Drivers - Essay Example

? "Substance Abuse" Journal Article: Dill, P. L., & Wells-Parker, E. (2006). Court-Man d Treatment for Convicted Drinking Drivers. Alcohol Research & Health, 29(1), 41-48. Abstract Driving under influence is a serious offence, it cannot be taken lightly and therefore law has taken it as a grave adversity. Court-mandated treatment is one such method which directs the offenders of substance abuse including drug abusers and alcoholics to take part in understanding and resolving the problems and to protect themselves from witnessing lawful costs. This is the chief trail of admission into alcoholism management for large number of individuals suffering with drinking predicament. Issues related to the treatment encompasses- screening of the individuals, evaluation and recommendation, efficacy of the treatment, when caught driving under influence, it should be considered as a chance to start the therapeutic interventions. These interventions are directly related to the offender's enthusiasm and motivation to participate in the program. Observation reveals that offenders display resistance for treatment when participation is pressurized. Certain methods are cost effective encompassing motivational augmentation therapy, which encourages the offenders to change their DUI habits. The article aims at reducing the DUI cases with simple and cost-effective methodologies. Introduction Offenders, accused with using drugs or substances encompassing alcohol or drugs such as marijuana, opioid or any other related substances while driving, i.e. individuals who are charged with driving under influence (DUI) or underage are treated with verdict to be a part of alcohol treatment to eradicate their habits forever. The treatment intervention encompasses, formal treatment for alcohol problems or rehabilitative interferences to acquaint individuals with the deleterious consequences of driving under influence. However, when made mandatory by the court, it stays as a chief path through which individuals take up the alcohol treatment. However, the article says that the mandated treatment and coercion can be applied interchangeably. Mandated treatment has the advantage that it generates menaces of lawful penalties in case if the person denies either to take up the treatment by following the rightful way or the recommendation to the treatment is shorn of. Depending upon the severity of condition the offenders could then be treated with lawful methods, they are either sent to imprisonment or kept under house arrest. Therefore, in order to prevent themselves from such consequences, essentially these individuals should take up the treatment procedure. The article is selected to pursue the study as it spotlights on the mandated treatment for DUI offenders, which is a compulsory step to reduce the number of casualties which occur due to DUI. The procedure encompasses- selection, evaluation and recommendation, the efficiency of mandated treatment procedure, together with management corresponding DUI procedures as openings for interference and concise involvement of lawbreakers external to mandated treatment. The article is also selected as it discusses treatment to be gainful, affordable, and accessible as well as it provides the opening for future research needs and challenges. A meticulous dialogue of investigative requirements for enhancing alcohol interventions and treatment is provided in the article. Forms of Mandated Treatment Mandated interventions for DUI offenders diverge in intensity, occurrence and extent, range from comparatively concise. Some individuals may display effect in one or two sittings while others may take longer duration lasting for weeks to months. This divergence is attributed to the kind of alcohol consumption together with the duration of abuse, this is also attributed to the incidence they witnessed in life and to overcome such incidence, they are repeating their behavior. Treatment for DUI offenders under court-mandated procedure involves group treatment such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other approaches such as edification process, interaction with the families of victims who lost their lives in alcohol related crashes. These interventions are carried out under supervision. However, for some it could be eye opening especially for those who are attached to their families while others may not find it encouraging to quit alcohol or to overcome DUI. The program also educate accused of DUI, how alcohol take a toll over the normal body functioning and the situation which leads to collision jeopardy. Screening, Appraisal & Recommendation Screening or evaluation of the DUI offenders is done on the basis of court's recommendation for court-mandated treatment. It evaluates the offender's danger rank for spoiled driving and the degree of predicaments induced by alcohol consumption. On the other hand, appraisal or assessment encompass observing the individual for behavior and performance in front of people. Such approaches enables the officials to take appropriate intervention methodology. It also decides the duration of the intervention. These steps are highly imperative for the persuasion of the treatment. Efficacy of Mandated Treatment Meta-analysis spotlights the fact that assessment of collision and DUI events of past also provide the direction to assess the symptoms are related with alcohol only and not with other agent (or other abuse such as substance abuse). After scrutinizing all the symptoms and analyzing the individual on all the aspects, the offender is matched with the most effective and efficient treatment approach to overcome the predicaments which are induced due to the DUI. Court mandated DUI treatment is an event which opens the ways where modification in conduct and behavior could be implemented for better prospects and safety in life of self and those who are associated with the DUI. In order to gain confidence of the offender it is essential that the offender must share the talk outside the mandated treatment. This enables the offender to speak up what has been bothering him for long and also will reveal the reason(s) of his repetitive DUI behavior. Understanding the situation of the offender, it is required that the offender should be treated on psychological basis to certain extent. Further, this is solely dependent on the intensity of alcohol damage. The treatment is cost-effective for those who really want to relinquish their habit of alcohol consumption but those who display zero tolerance are hard hitting and require intensive treatment. Legal Issues Law of any state is a significant determinant of the health of its inhabitants. However, it is imperative for the officials to deduce and operate as per the federal prerequisites. People have a connection between activities and health preparedness, the degree and range of lawful directives, any variation or leniency in law influence health of people in terms of driving under influence. Ethical Issues Moral values must be inculcated in the minds of people, in terms of generating a congenial environment and enhancing an understanding in the form of threats towards diseases, accidents and consequences. These could be imposed in the form of posters displaying concern towards healthy living for family welfare and self appraisal. Posters must also display repercussions of driving under influence which directly affects the psychology of the individual and augments the chances of adopting means for safe driging. Conclusion Court mandated treatment intervention is a method which enables the DUI offenders to overcome their habits and behavior by performing simple modifications in their lives. These individuals must understand that earlier the step taken in the right direction sooner they are going to accomplish pleasure of safe driving, generating contentment for self and cheerfulness for family and associates. Read More