Authors: BROWN, THOMAS G.; GIANOULAKIS, CHRISTINA; TREMBLAY, JACQUES; NADEAU, LOUISE; DONGIER, MAURICE; NG YING KIN, N. M. K.; SERAGANIAN, PETER; OUIMET, MARIE CLAUDE

Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 40, Number 5, September 2005 , pp. 474-481(8)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

Aims: To examine the relationship between salivary cortisol and frequency of past driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) convictions. Methods: A total of 104 males with previous DUI convictions (from one to eight) and mean age of 44.7 years were assessed on measures characterizing repeat DUI offenders, including sociodemographic information, alcohol use behaviours, biological indices of the organic consequences of chronic abuse, negative consequences of excessive drinking, past DUI conviction history, impulse control, and antisocial behaviour tendencies. Saliva samples were taken approximately every 30 min over a 6 h period during an exhaustive multidimensional assessment protocol, and were then assayed to obtain cortisol responses. Results: Blunted cortisol response, typically observed in alcoholics and in high-risk non-alcoholics, was associated with increased number of past DUI convictions. This association was particularly pronounced in multiple DUI offenders, and was stronger than, and independent of, other measures of alcohol use severity and chronicity commonly used for DUI assessment. Conclusions: Cortisol response may be useful in understanding the mediators underlying repeat DUI offending and the frequent failure of intervention efforts in curbing DUI behaviour.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agh165

Publication date: 2005-09-01

More about this publication?

• Alcohol and Alcoholism publishes papers on biomedical, psychological and sociological aspects of alcoholism and alcohol research, provided that they make a new and significant contribution to knowledge in the field. Papers include new results obtained experimentally, descriptions of new experimental (including clinical) methods of importance to the field of alcohol research and treatment, or new interpretations of existing results. Theoretical contributions are considered equally with papers dealing with experimental work provided that such theoretical contribution are not of a largely speculative or philosophical nature. Alcohol and Alcoholism is the official journal of the Medical Council on Alcohol.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Neurology & Psychiatry ,  Social & Public Welfare
• By this author: BROWN, THOMAS G. ;  GIANOULAKIS, CHRISTINA ;  TREMBLAY, JACQUES ;  NADEAU, LOUISE ;  DONGIER, MAURICE ;  NG YING KIN, N. M. K. ;  SERAGANIAN, PETER ;  OUIMET, MARIE CLAUDE

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers