P-20 * PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF PATTERN OF ALCOHOL METABOLISM AMONG DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OFFENDERS: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ALCOHOL METABOLISM, ALCOHOL USE BEHAVIOUR AND OTHER PSYCHOSOCIAL VARIABLES

Abstract

This study reports on the potential utility of a saliva test to identify different patterns of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) offenders' alcohol metabolism. The pattern of alcohol metabolism, i.e., biogenetic disposition pertinent to alcohol intake is a significant issue, because only about half of Japanese people metabolise alcohol as people of non-Asian origin do. The remaining Japanese people exhibit different biochemical reactions after consuming alcohol, ranging from complete or partial alcohol intolerance to enhanced/prolonged alcohol intoxication. A sample of convicted DUI offenders was interviewed (N = 64). Together with results from a saliva test that classifies the participants' alcohol metabolism into five types, we collected information on alcohol intake, screening for alcohol use disorder, alcohol biomarkers, and psychosocial variables. RESULTS showed that (1) a significantly higher proportion of offenders was classified as being biogenetically susceptible to alcohol dependence as compared to the general Japanese population, and that (2) no significant associations were observed between alcohol metabolism typology and alcohol intake, alcohol use disorders and psychosocial variables, except for one biomarker and the past frequency of DUI. Although alcohol metabolism is only a part of various determinants leading to DUI behaviour, remedial intervention that utilises the saliva test may help DUI offenders to set forth a personalised, concrete coping strategy to stay away from the negative consequences of alcohol use including DUI. Language: en