This study cannot be interpreted as being representative of all individuals with DUIs or with alcohol dependence, as the study protocol was designed to inform genetic studies and required a certain family size and loading for alcohol diagnoses. The measure for DUI, unlike many studies of DUI populations, is based on self report rather than official documentation. The study also relies on retrospective recall of symptoms for alcohol dependence, psychiatric disorders, and drug use disorders. Nonetheless, it contributes to our understanding of the relationship between DUIs and severe alcohol dependence, and in particular highlights several interesting areas for study among women with DUIs. For example, gender differences in endorsement of behavioral alcohol criteria may indicate areas amenable to psychosocial intervention which may improve treatment outcomes and lower risks for initial or multiple DUIs among women with severe alcohol problems. The gender difference in withdrawal endorsement may indicate areas ripe for gender-specific pharmacological research. In future studies with this population we will examine in detail the time course of alcohol use, psychiatric and drug use disorders in relation to the timing of arrests for DUI.
