“There is nothing else in the literature like DWC; it should be required reading for researchers as well as practitioners.”
—William F. Wieczorek, PhD
“DWC will set the standard for a comprehensive, motivational, educational change program the can reduce recidivism and promote meaningful, lasting change for the offenders.”
—Carlo DiClemente, PhD
Program Core Strategies
There are 12 core strategies upon which the service and treatment platform of DWC is built. These strategies are evidence-based and are supported by research for their efficacy in enhancing change in individuals engaging in problem behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, impaired driving).
- Multidimensional and differential assessment.
- Integrating education (knowledge) and treatment within a manual-guided format.
- Enhancing self-disclosure and awareness by facilitating the process of growth and change.
- Structure treatment around the stages of change.
- Develop an intervention relationship through motivational enhancement and therapeutic alliance.
- Utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy principles and methods.
- Relapse and recidivism prevention.
- Focus on responsibility to the community and concern for the welfare and safety of others.
- Integrating the therapeutic and correctional.
- A cohesive group that elicits positive "within group" identity and prosocial attitudes.
- Reintegration into the community.
- Capitalizing on the strengths of diversity.
Program Benefits for Clients
Participants learn that Driving With Care means caring about themselves and caring about others. The DWC intervention program is built on a cognitive-behavioral platform that will help clients:
- Learn the skills of cognitive restructuring to enhance self-control over thinking and actions
- Learn social and relationship skills to enhance responsible behavior towards others and to drive with CARE
- Develop knowledge and skills that will assist them in engaging in careful and responsible thinking and behavior, particularly those involving substance use and driving.
- Learn how to change thinking, beliefs and attitudes that control actions and behavior and which lead to driving while involved in AOD use.
- Understand the impact of driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs on personal living and on the community and separate drinking and driving behavior.
- Understand the laws around impaired driving, gain clarity about their obligations to the court and to the Motor Vehicle Division, and understand current DWI charges and conviction.
- Prevent relapse or returning to a pattern of alcohol or other drug use that is harmful and disruptive to normal living, including impaired driving.
- Prevent recidivism or returning to driving a motor vehicle while exceeding the legal BAC limits or while having ingested any other mind-altering drugs that impair driving behavior.
Client Expectations
DWC stands on a foundation of three stages of behavioral change: 1) Challenge to Change, 2) Commitment to Change, and 3) Ownership of Change. In all delivery formats of Level II Education and Level II Treatment, clients must first complete the orientation lesson/session before proceeding. The specifics are set forth in the Provider’s Guide and the Participant’s Workbooks for all three programs, e.g., Level I Education, Level II Education and Level II Treatment.