Wright Health Study

A Collaborative Research Project between Wright State University and the University of Michigan

Background

Court-mandated DUI programs are sometimes the entry points into the treatment system for individuals who are not identified in other settings. There is a growing number of individuals in the United States who are near or in retirement, and a larger cohort of "Baby Boomers" who will reach late life in the coming decades. These individuals may drink at higher levels than previously reported and may experience greater alcohol-related consequences, including DUI arrests.

Given the lack of knowledge about the relationship between age, alcohol use outcomes, and service use among adults experiencing legal consequences of their alcohol use (e.g., court-mandated DUI programs), and the increasing numbers of middle-aged and older adults in the United States, this prospective observational study is recruiting and interviewing 600 adults who have participated in Wright State's Weekend Intervention Program (WIP).

Aims

The aims of the study are to:

  1. determine the age-related differences in user characteristics (e.g., demographics, alcohol use, health services use, criminal justice involvement, etc.) by following three age groups (55 years old and older; 40 to 54 years old, and 18 to 39 years old);
  2. examine age-related variations in referral, linkage and engagement in formal and informal substance abuse treatment in the 18 months following participation in WIP, and identify the key characteristics associated with types of service use; and
  3. measure the differences by age group in the longitudinal course of drinking, changes in alcohol-related behaviors, and physical/psychosocial status.

This study will provide critical new knowledge regarding the age-related similarities and differences of adults in younger to mid- to later-life at one of the important junctures in the intervention and treatment engagement process.

Participation

Subjects in this study are selected randomly from WIP participants. Participation in the study is completely voluntary and in no way affects WIP activities, recommendations, or status with a court. Subjects are paid a nominal fee for the time they spend responding to interviews.

Funding and Collaborators

This study is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the University of Michigan, which contracts with Wright State University for data collection and other services.

Publications

  • Ilgen, M.A., McLouth, C., Barry, K.L., Walton, M., Cole, P.A., Dabrowski, M.P., Booth, B.M., and Blow, F.C. (2010).  Pain interference in individuals in driver intervention programs for driving under the influence offenders. Subst Use Misuse, 45(9):1406-19. [Abstract]

Staff Contact Information

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine: 937-775-1466

University of Michigan: 734-998-7454