ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides treatment practitioners with relevant information in one easily accessible place. The Joint Commission of Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations began accrediting alcohol and drug treatment programs in the early 1980s. Initially, in the Scandinavian model, treatment consisted of educational programs. Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) goals were aimed at expanding the use of alcoholism treatment programs for people with alcohol problems, increasing public awareness through education, and evaluating, diagnosing, and referring for treatment. Other than pilot programs such as ASAP, there were no established DWI treatment programs for the DWI offender. A significant result of the Alcohol Safety Project was the combining of legal sanctions against DWI offenders, with treatment as a specific deterrent strategy.
