Enormous unmet needs for alcohol treatment exist among individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) since up to 43% recidivate and 67% meet criteria for alcohol dependence. We will test whether delivering a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) as part of a mandated DUI program improves health outcomes, and reduces alcohol use, alcohol-related problems and injuries, and DUI recidivism compared to usual care. The study has the potential to promote the public welfare by providing treatment to individuals with a DUI conviction, while focusing on Latinos, who are disproportionately less likely to access treatment and more likely to be arrested for a DUI, to have higher rates of recidivism, and to die in alcohol- related crashes than their white counterparts. The study is innovative because it would be the first to address effectiveness of treatment for AUDs embedded within a DUI program. We will conduct a randomized trial of a 9-session group-based CBT (n=150) as compared to group-based usual care (UC; n=150) immediately after and 6 months after the end of treatment. Short-term outcomes include alcohol use (rates of heavy drinking, percent days abstinent), alcohol use-related self-efficacy, and intent to drink and drive. We will also examine whether race/ethnicity, gender, acculturation, and alcohol situational norms predict our primary treatment outcomes (rates of heavy drinking, percent days abstinent) and DUI recidivism (alcohol-related violations).
Our study simultaneously addresses a major public health problem (alcohol use disorders; AUDs) and addresses disparities in treatment access and alcohol-related health outcomes for Latinos with AUDs. Our study has the potential to benefit a large population of vulnerable individuals with AUDs who are at high risk of DUI recidivism and develops a new model of care to reduce disparities associated with poor access to treatment.
| Smart, Rosanna; Osilla, Karen Chan; Jonsson, Lisa et al. (2018) Differences in alcohol cognitions, consumption, and consequences among first-time DUI offenders who co-use alcohol and marijuana. Drug Alcohol Depend 191:187-194 |
| Osilla, Karen Chan; Kulesza, Magdalena; Miranda, Jeanne (2017) Bringing alcohol treatment to driving under the influence programs: Perceptions from first-time offenders. Alcohol Treat Q 35:113-129 |
| Chan Osilla, Karen; Watkins, Katherine E; Kulesza, Magdalena et al. (2016) Study design to evaluate cognitive behavioral therapy among a diverse sample of adults with a first-time DUI offense. Addict Sci Clin Pract 11:7 |
