DRI-II SCALE INTERPRETATION

There are several levels of DRI-II Scale Interpretation.  They range from viewing the DRI-II as a self-report to  interpreting scale elevations and inter-relationships.  The following DRI-II scale interpretation discussion is not all inclusive.  However, it does provide some scale interpretation insight.

The following table is a starting point for interpreting DRI-II  scale scores.

Referring to the above table, a problem is not identified until a scale score is at the 70th percentile or higher.  Elevated scale scores refer to percentile scores that are at or above the 70^th percentile.  Severe problems are identified by scale scores at or above the 90^th percentile.  Severe problems represent the highest 11 percent of DUI/DWI offenders evaluated with the DRI-II.  The DRI-II has been normed on over one million DUI/DWI offenders.  And this normative sample continues to expand with each DRI-II test that is administered.

1. Truthfulness Scale: Measures how truthful the DUI/DWI offender was while completing the test. It identifies guarded and defensive people who attempt to fake good. Truthfulness Scale scores at or below the 89th percentile mean that all DRI-II scale scores are accurate. When the DRI-II Truthfulness Scale score is in the 70th to 89th percentile range, other DRI-II scale scores are accurate because they have been Truth-Corrected. In contrast, when the Truthfulness Scale score is at or above the 90th percentile, this means that all DRI-II scales are inaccurate (invalid) because the DUI/DWI offender or respondent was overly guarded, read things into test items that aren’t there, was minimizing problems, or was caught faking answers. If not consciously deceptive, offenders with elevated Truthfulness Scale scores are uncooperative (likely in a passive-aggressive manner), fail to understand test items or have a need to appear in a good light. Truthfulness Scale scores at or below the 89th percentile mean that all other DRI-II scale scores are accurate. One of the first things to check when reviewing a DRI-II report is the Truthfulness Scale score.

2. Alcohol Scale: Measures alcohol use and the severity of abuse. Alcohol refers to beer, wine and other liquors. An elevated (70th to 89th percentile) Alcohol Scale is indicative of an emerging drinking problem. An Alcohol Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies established and serious drinking problems. Elevated Alcohol Scale scores do not occur by chance.

A history of alcohol problems (e.g., alcohol-related arrests, DUI/DWI convictions, etc.) could result in an abstainer (current non-drinker) attaining a Low to Medium Risk scale score. Consequently safeguards have been built into the DRI-II to identify "recovering alcoholics." For example, the offender’s self-reported court history is summarized on the first page of the DRI-II report. And, on page 3 of the report, the DUI/DWI offender’s structured interview (items 119 to 140) answers are printed for easy reference. The DUI/DWI offender’s answer to the "recovering alcoholic" question (item 138) is printed on page 3 of the DRI-II report. In addition elevated Alcohol Scale paragraphs caution staff to establish if the offender is a recovering alcoholic. If recovering, how long? Obviously, the DUI/DWI offender was arrested for a DUI or DWI.

Severely elevated Alcohol and Drugs Scale scores indicate polysubstance abuse and the highest score usually identifies the offender’s substance of choice. Scores in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range are a malignant prognostic sign. Elevated Alcohol Scale, Drugs Scale and Driver Risk Scale scores identify a particularly dangerous driver. Here, you have a person with poor driving skills who is even further impaired when drinking or using drugs.

In intervention and treatment settings, the offender’s DRI-II Alcohol Scale score can help staff work through offender denial. More people accept objective standardized assessment results as opposed to someone’s subjective opinion. This is especially true when it is explained that the DRI-II has been given to over one million DUI/DWI offenders and that elevated scores do not occur by chance. The Alcohol Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other DRI-II scales.

3. Drugs Scale: Measures drug use and severity of drug abuse. Drugs refer to marijuana, ice, crack, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates and heroin. An elevated (70th to 89th percentile) Drugs Scale score identifies emerging drug problems. A Drugs Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies established drug problems and drug abuse.

A history of drug-related problems (e.g., drug-related arrests, prior DUI/DWI convictions, drug treatment, etc.) could result in an abstainer (current non-user) attaining a Low to Medium Risk Drug Scale score. For this reason, precautions have been built into the DRI-II to insure correct identification of "recovering" drug abusers. Many of these precautions are similar to those discussed in the above Alcohol Scale description. And, the DUI/DWI offender’s answer to the "recovering drug abuser" question (item 138) is printed on page 3 of the DRI-II report.

Concurrently elevated Drugs and Alcohol Scale scores are indications of polysubstance abuse, and the highest score reflects the offender’s substance of choice. Very dangerous drivers are identified when both the Drugs Scale and the Driver Risk Scale are elevated. Any Drugs Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range should be taken seriously. The Drugs Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other DRI-II scales.

4. Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale: Classifies DUI/DWI offenders as substance abusers, substance dependent or non-pathological substance users in accordance with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria.

The DRI-II Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale is entirely based on DSM-IV classification criteria for substance abuse and dependency. When a DUI/DWI offender admits to one of the four DSM-IV abuse symptoms (criteria), that offender is classified in the substance abuse category. When an offender admits to three of the seven DSM-IV dependency symptoms (criteria), that offender is classified in the substance dependency category. When an offender does not meet DSM-IV criteria for abuse or dependency, they are non-pathological substance users (if they use alcohol or drugs).

There is an important difference between the DRI-II Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale and the Alcohol and Drugs Scales. The Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale classifies people as abusers, dependent or non-pathological substance users (if they use alcohol or drugs). The Alcohol Scale and Drugs Scale measure the severity of alcohol and drug use or abuse.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) states there can be exceptions to DSM-IV classification, and these exceptions are made according to the severity of a person’s substance abuse. The severity of a person’s substance abuse determines their recommended level of intervention and/or treatment.

In summary, the Alcohol and Drugs Scales measure severity of substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse; whereas, the Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale classifies people as substance abusers or substance dependents. The Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with DRI-II Alcohol and Drugs Scales.

5. Driver Risk Scale: Measures driving risk, e.g., aggressive, irresponsible or careless drivers. This scale is independent of the Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse/Dependency Scales. Some people are simply poor drivers. Elevated (70th to 89th percentile) Driver Risk Scale scores identify problem prone drivers that would benefit from a driver improvement program. Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) scorers are simply dangerous drivers. These are high probability accident prone drivers. When the Driver Risk Scale and the Alcohol Scale and/or Drugs Scale are elevated, a person’s poor driving abilities are further impaired by substance use or abuse. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is the highest federal authority in the DUI/DWI field, the DRI-II is the only major DUI/DWI test that measures driver risk. Consequently, other tests do not identify abstaining (non-drinking and non-drug use) dangerous drivers.

The Driver Risk Scale provides considerable insight into offender driving behavior, but it is overlooked by other DUI/DWI tests. The Driver Risk Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with the DRI-II Alcohol Scale, Drugs Scale and Stress Coping Abilities Scale.

6. Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures the DUI/DWI offender’s ability to cope effectively with stress, tension and pressure. How well a person manages stress affects their driving safety. A Stress Coping Abilities Scale score in the elevated (e.g., Problem Risk) range provides considerable insight into co-determinants while suggesting possible intervention programs like stress management. An offender scoring in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range should be referred to a mental health specialist for further evaluation, diagnosis and a treatment plan.

We know that stress exacerbates emotional and mental health problems. The Stress Coping Abilities Scale is a non-introversive way to screen for established (diagnosable) mental health problems. Stress coping problems can have a direct impact on a person’s driving.

A particularly unstable and perilous driving situation involves an elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale with an elevated Alcohol Scale, Drugs Scale or Driver Risk Scale. Poor driving abilities along with substance abuse in an emotionally reactive person who doesn’t handle stress well operationally defines a dangerous driver. The higher the elevation of these scales, the worse the prognosis. The Stress Coping Abilities Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other DRI-II scales.

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In conclusion, it was noted that several levels of DRI-II interpretation are possible. They range from viewing the DRI-II as a self-report to interpreting scale elevations and inter-relationships. Staff can then put a DUI/DWI offender’s DRI-II findings within the context of the offenders driving situation.

Additional DRI-II information can be provided upon request. Behavior Data Systems' telephone number is (602) 234-3506, and our e-mail address is bds@bdsltd.com.

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