Predictors of completion status in a remedial program for male convicted drinking drivers

Rates of attrition in alcohol and drug treatment programs are often greater than 50%, and completion of treatment has been shown to be a potent predictor of posttreatment outcome. The current study examined both rates and predictors of completion among male participants in a remedial measures program for convicted drinking drivers.

Male individuals (n = 5,409) convicted of a drinking driving offense in Ontario between October 2000 and December 2002 who did and did not complete a mandatory rehabilitation program were described in terms of demographic, drug use and legal variables collected at time of assessment.

The program completion rate was extremely high (97.3%). In multivariate analyses, noncompleters-relative to completers-were younger; drank more frequently; were less likely to own a home; and were more likely to live in urban centers, have two or more lifetime impaired driving convictions and have experienced more than one adverse consequence of substance use.

Ontario's remedial measures program for convicted drinking drivers, in which the return of a suspended license after the period of mandatory suspension is contingent on the completion of the program, demonstrates a very low level of client attrition. Individuals who do not complete the program bear many similarities to those at high risk for persistent drink-drive behavior and its associated negative health consequences.