ANALYSIS OF CHRONIC DRUNKENESS OFFENDERS WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION

• NCJ Number: 29519
• Author(s): P M MILLER
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Mississippi State Board of Health
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL SURVEY DATA ON A RANDOM SAMPLE OF 34 SUCH OFFENDERS IN JACKSON (MS) IS PRESENTED AS A BASIS FOR A BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION INTERVENTION PROGRAM USING POSITIVE INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE LONG TERM PARTICIPATION.

Abstract

ALL SUBJECTS SURVEYED HAD BEEN ARRESTED WITHIN THE PAST 24 HOURS AND CHARGED WITH PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS. THE SURVEY COVERED THE FOLLOWING FIFTEEN MAJOR AREAS: EDUCATION, MILITARY SERVICE, MARITAL STATUS, HEALTH, ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, FAMILY BACKGROUND, EMPLOYMENT, RELIGION, FINANCIAL STATUS, LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, CURRENT NEEDS, POLICE RECORD, CIVIC PARTICIPATION, SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT, AND FREE TIME ACTIVITIES. SURVEY RESULTS ARE DISCUSSED FOR EACH AREA SEPARATELY. FINDINGS REVEALED THAT ALCOHOLICS WERE MORE DEPENDENT ON EXTERNALLY IMPOSED REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS (PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRINKING BUDDIES) IN REGARD TO THE INITIATION AND TERMINATION OF DRINKING THAN ON INTERNAL PRECIPITANTS (ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION). THEREFORE, RESEARCHERS SUGGEST A HALFWAY HOUSE OR COMMUNITY ALCOHOLISM BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM IN WHICH THE BASIC NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC INEBRIATE COULD BE MET (EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT, FOOD, SHELTER, ETC.) IN EXCHANGE FOR DECREASES IN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. LOW BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATIONS WOULD EARN POINTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEEDED GOODS AND SERVICES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.