Retained risk-taking behaviors among past alcohol dependent trauma patients

Ryb, Gabriel E.; Dischinger, Patricia; Kufera, Joseph; Ho, Shiu; Read, Kathy; Soderstrom, Carl

Affiliations

¹National Study Center for Trauma & EMS, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

²Trauma Service, Prince George’s Hospital Center, Cheverly, Maryland

³Program in Trauma, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

⁴Medical Advisory Board, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, Baltimore, Maryland

Abstract

Alcohol dependence has been associated with behavioral risk factors and risk-taking tendencies. We investigated whether past alcohol dependent trauma center patients (n=42) retain the characteristics of current alcohol dependent patients (n=67) or whether they resemble patients without history of alcohol dependence (n=262). We found that past alcohol dependence patients retain some of the risk-taking tendencies (impulsivity and sensation seeking) and risk-taking behaviors (drinking and driving, riding with a drunk driver, binge drinking, speeding for the thrill) common to current alcohol dependent patients and they remain at a higher injury risk than the non alcohol dependent population.

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Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
2006	Kufera JA, Soderstrom CA, Dischinger PC, Ho SM, Shepard A. Crash culpability and the role of driver blood alcohol levels. In: 50th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 16-18, 2006; Chicago, IL.91-106.
2008	Ryb G, Dischinger P, Smith G, Soderstrom C. Adult correlates of early behavioral maladjustment: a study of injured drivers. In: 52nd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 6-8, 2008; San Diego, CA.39-48.