[A behavioral scientific model of the drunk driver]

With the introduction of modifying programs (driver improvement) the ability to drive can no longer be taken as an invariant character trait, but as a competence that can be mediated by courses. The consequences of this development are shown in the case of drinking driving offender. Typical actional settings, which have proved their importance in the diagnostic and especially in the rehabilitative work of the author, are discussed. Case histories show how persons deal with these settings. The chosen conceptual representation seems to be appropriate to communicate with the afflicted person. It provides identification patterns that facilitate the organization and verbalization of experiences. Reflection of the actional setting and the coping behavior starts a process that aims at the normalization of existencial references. It appears, that the most dangerous effect of the misuse of alcohol is to make actual conditions permanent. The hindrance of development and change becomes the real problem. For the expert this approach offers a heuristic, which helps to discern omissions, shortenings and contradictions in the utterances of the subject and, above all, can point out ways, which lead out of the problematic situation.