First-Time DWI Offenders Often Have Multiple Problems

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Her team followed the study participants for one year after they finished the 10-week group counseling program.

"Those with mood and anxiety disorders continue to have more enduring alcohol-related problems, compared to those without mood and anxiety disorders," O'Malley said. Those with drug dependence decreased their drinking, but the decreases weren't sustained at the one-year follow-up mark.

For both groups -- those with mood or anxiety disorders or those with drug dependence -- O'Malley found a greater readiness to change their use of alcohol compared to the DWI offenders who didn't have the additional problems.

That's the good news in the study, the researcher said. However, she believes that current intervention programs often fall short in helping people sort through their problems. These efforts need to be improved to ensure permanent results.

The study "demonstrates the importance of thorough intervention at the first arrest for DWI,'' said Rosenbloom. "The first time someone is arrested is unlikely to be the first time they drove while intoxicated. People arrested for drunk driving have serious problems. The results of this study again demonstrate you really have to treat alcohol, drug and psychiatric conditions together."

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