Please Tell Me Your Experiences With Amethyst Foundation, Inc.

Send Me Your Stories About Amethyst Foundation, Inc.

I would love to hear about people's experiences with Amethyst Foundation, Inc.  I know there must be many, many stories about this fraudulent operation.

Yet, there is no information on the web about Amethyst Foundation, Inc., at all.  Please pass your stories, good and bad, on to me and I will post them anonymously.

People deserve to know what they are getting into when they are ordered to go there.

My email is AtheosAmericus@gmail.com

Amethyst Foundation, Inc.'s Financial Documents Look Shady

One measure of how honest a non-profit organization is, is how transparent it is.  Amethyst Foundation, Inc., is not very transparent, to put it mildly.  They seem to try as hard as possible to maintain as much secrecy as possible.  Their website is bare-bones with not a single name of anyone affiliated with it, only a general phone number and email address.  There are only five consumer reviews of it on the entire web.  If you've tried to find out anything about Amethyst Foundation, you'll know what I'm talking about.  It's quite a feat for any corporation to keep such a low profile, particularly a non-profit.  There's usually a reason for this.

For those, interested, I have located their IRS Form 990 filings for the fiscal years 2009, 2008, and 2007.  Federal law mandates that at least the last three years must be made publicly available.  Most non-profits provide more, but Amethyst Foundation supplies only the Federal minimum of three years.

Despite these 990 Forms being the most sparse, nondisclosing  I've ever seen, they tell quite a story.  For the last eight years, Amethyst Foundation, Inc., with its three tiny locations, has received over $1.2 million annually--99.5% from gifts, grants, contributions and membership fees (in other words exclusive, noncompetitive New Hampshire state contracts paid by the taxpayers).  Where does the $1.2 million go?  Total expenditures are reported to come to just under $1.2 million.  They are breaking even, right?  What an efficient non-profit!

Let's look closer:  There are two employees.  Bob Kelley, the Director, makes roughly $70k annually.  The Board of Directors work for nothing (really??).  There are no other key employees who are reported to earn any income.

"Office expenses" come to nearly $40,000(!)--I saw one old ink jet printer, some antique PCs, and a DVD player that doesn't work when I was there, and their documents look like the work of a high school student.

"Health Insurance" came to over $100,000, which is surprising given that there are only two employees.  Are all the contract part-time workers provided with health insurance?  I doubt that  At least I've never heard of such a thing.

"Utilities" came to almost $20,000!

Most of the rest of the expenditures fall into the amorphous categories of "other salaries and wages" (roughly $550,000 annually) and "all other expenses" (roughly $100,000).  Where is this $650k going to? There's no way of knowing.   They can't employ that many people.  It's impossible.  And LADCs, administrators, janitors, etc...don't make that much.  And the money's not going toward facilities--take a look at the dump that is Amethyst Foundation, Inc.'s corporate headquarters in Epping, New Hampshire:

Amethyst Foundation gets a gift from New Hampshire tax  payers of $1.2 million yearly.  More than half of that disappears into the amorphous categories of "other salaries and wages" and "other expenditures."  Other amounts seem outrageously high.  They also sit  on nearly $700,000 of assets.  And remember, because Amethyst Corporation, Inc., is a IRS 501(c)(3) corporation, they are tax exempt.

When investigating non-profit organizations, one looks for the following trouble signs:

• large end of year assets, which indicate hoarding;
• vague categories (such as "other salary and wages") to inflate spending; and,
• an overall lack of transparency.
  

Amethyst Foundation, Inc., exhibits all three.   Their end of year assets are huge--nearly equal to their total revenue, in fact.  They use very vague categories for most of their expenditures, suggesting that they might be inflating spending.  The specific categories appear at face value to be inflated (Office expenses, Health Insurance, Utilities).  And I refer to Amethyst Foundation, Inc., as the "Amethyst House of Mystery" because it is nearly completely lacking in transparency.  Just google it for yourself and see.

What a sweet deal Amethyst has going.  If they weren't so incompetent at what they do, and weren't such religious ideologues intent on forcing everyone into admitting they're "an alcoholic with an incurable disease" requiring months of AA attendance, it might even be somewhat moral.

Here are the IRS Form 990's that Amethyst Foundation filed for the last several years.  The 2007 form has information on it for several prior years.  The members of the Board of Directors are listed, too:

2009 Form 990

2008 Form 990

2007 Form 990

The RIASI test--I Bet You Didn't Know You Were An Alcoholic/Substance Abuser.

The RIASI Test

During your one hour intake interview you will take the DRI-II and RIASI tests, which supposedly assess your abuse/dependence on alcohol/drugs. 

The DRI-II:  In my last post I wrote that there are essentially no peer review studies of the DRI-II test.  All but two of the many studies of the DRI-II were done by the company that sells the test, Behavior Data Systems, Inc., which is like the tobacco companies publishing studies telling you that smoking cigarettes is good for you.  (The two peer review studies had severely faulty methodology and are of little value.)  But, since it's computerized and automatically scored, it's good for the lazy people that work at places like Amethyst Foundation, Inc.  Also, the phony veneer of scientific respectability pushed by the marketing people at Behavior Data Systems is easily bought by the intellectually and scientifically naive, uncritical people at Amethyst.  These people simply decide to "believe" things, whereupon they become fact--like the "effectiveness" of AA despite multiple rigorous scientific studies that show it is of zero value.  Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the DRI-II to post, but I'm working on it.

The RIASI:  This test is a joke and I can't believe it's still being used.  Essentially, everyone, if they answer honestly, will score as an alcoholic or drug abuser.  Below is a complete copy, with the answers they are looking for:

                                                                                                 HOW YOU SHOULD
                                                                                                           ANSWER

T  F  1.  I smoke or use tobacco products.*                                                  False
T  F  2.  I have no problem telling a companion that he or she has done
                 something to hurt my feelings.*                                                   True
T  F  3.  I often feel so restless I can't sit still.                                                False
T  F  4.  When I drink 7 or more drinks, I become aggressive.                        False
T  F  5.  I like people who are sharp and witty even though they may
                  sometimes hurt other peoples' feelings.*                                     False
T  F  6.  When the alcohol runs out, I leave the party.                                    False
T  F  7.  When I make plans I am almost certain to make them work.             False
T  F  8.  I have relatives who have had problems with alcohol or drugs.            False
T  F  9.  I have been arrested for crimes other than drinking and driving.*         False
T  F  10.  My hand often shakes when I try to do something.                          False
T  F  11.  I am irritated a lot more than people are aware of.                           False
T  F  12.  Since the age of 18, I have been accidentally cut, or cut in a fight
                or burned badly enough to leave scar.                                           False
T  F  13.  A family member was arrested for drinking and driving.*                  False
T  F  14.  When I don't get my own way, I sulk or pout.                                 False
T  F  15.  I slow down when a traffic light turns yellow.                                   True
T  F  16.  I often feel like a powder keg ready to explode.                              False
T  F  17.  When I have a problem, I try to make it go away by drinking.          False
T  F  18.  I have no trouble sleeping or staying awake.*                                 True
T  F  19.  I sometimes do dangerous or risky things just for fun.                     False
T  F  20.  I have experienced a major stressful life event in the past .           
               12 months.                                                                                  False
T  F  21.  I feel like I have lived the right kind of life.*                                      True
T  F  22.  It is easy for me to turn down an unreasonable request
               from a friend.                                                                                True
T  F  23.  I have feelings that something bad will happen to me.                      False
T  F  24.  I feel like I have lost energy.  I am fatigued and tired.                       False
T  F  25.  I often have feelings of nervousness.                                               False
T  F  26.  I often feel sad or blue.                                                                  False
T  F  27.  A drink or two gives me energy to get started.                                 False
T  F  28.  I am probably not capable of slapping someone, even when I lose
               my temper.*                                                                                 True
T  F  29.  When I get beyond a certain point, I don't stop drinking until all the
                booze is gone or I pass out.                                                         False
T  F  30.  I don't like to break Rules, even when I think they are wrong.            True
T  F  31.  I hardly ever drink more than I plan to.*                                           True
T  F  32.  I am not interested in surprising or upsetting others by doing
               something that might shock them.                                                  True
T  F  33.  It depresses me that I did not do more for my parents.                     False
T  F  34.  I like to gamble for money.                                                              False
T  F  35.  After 7 or more drinks, I feel happier.                                              False
T  F  36.  I often acted without thinking as a child.                                          False
T  F  37.  I was referred for a liver test, or a blood test for liver enzymes.*        False
T  F  38.  Since the age of 18, I have needed emergency treatment for an
                injury of some kind.                                                                      False
T  F  39.  I skipped school as a kid.*                                                             False
T  F  40.  When I am drinking, I make sure I do not skip any meals.                True
T  F  41.  I often feel hopeless about the future.                                              False


___  42.  In the past five (5) years, how many jobs have you had?                    One
___  43.  How many traffic tickets for moving violations have you ever
               received (i.e. speeding, running a red light or a stop sign)?                One
___  44.  How much money do you usually spend on alcohol a week?
               Include the cost of drinking at home, at friends' or relatives'
               houses, and in bars and restaurants.                                               Nothing
___  45.  If you go out drinking, how many places do you drink at in
               one evening?  Include friends' and relatives' homes, as well
               as bars and restaurant.                                                                   Zero
___  46.  What is the largest number of drinks you ever consumed in a
                24-hour period?  (One drink is a 12 once beer, or a one ounce
                shot of liquor, or one mixed drink, or a 4 ounce glass of wine,
                or a 12 ounce wine cooler.)*                                                          Two
___  47.  How many days of the week do you usually drink?  If you
               drink less than once a week, please write 1.*                                   Zero
___  48.  When you are drinking, how many drinks do you usually have?*         One
___  49.  How many drinks does it take before you begin to feel the
               effects of alcohol?*                                                                        One

Listed below are a few statements about our relationship with others.  Please CIRCLE the number that indicates how much each statement is TRUE or FALSE for you.

Definitely  Mostly   Don't   Mostly  Definitely
    True       True    Know   False      False
  
       1           2           3         4            5

50.  I am always courteous, even to people who are disagreeable.               Circle 1
51.  I sometimes feel resentful when I don't get my way.                             Circle 5
52.  No matter who I'm talking to, I'm always a good listener.                      Circle 1

  

You will be given two scores:  A Total Score, and a Recidivism Score.  Your recidivism score will be based on those questions with asterisks after them.  These are all "subtle question" types--questions that don't outwardly appear to be asking about alcohol or substance abuse.  Therefore, be careful about how you answer these questions.

These tests are designed so that everyone can take them, and for ease of grading.  So they are written at the 4-5th grade level, every answer is True or False or a number, and the subtle questions are indicated with asterisks.  The asterisks will be visible on your exams--we can't have the LADCs doing any extra work like copying, etc...  (Remember, these people are lazy and stupid.  Copier technology is too much to ask them to deal with.)

Looking at the questions, it's no wonder everyone scores as a substance abuser.  Look at this subtle (asterisked) question:

"I have no problem telling a companion that he or she has done something to hurt my feelings.*"

If you answer False to this, you're an alcoholic.  Imagine, if you're a man, sitting at the bar having a drink with your friend Chuck, saying to him, "Gosh, Chuck.  When you said said my shirt looked gay, it hurt my feelings."  Well, to not score as an alcoholic, you have to be hypersensitive and have no problems whining about it.

I like this one, too, another subtle one:

"I like people who are sharp and witty even though they may sometimes hurt other peoples' feelings.*"

Answer True and your an alcoholic.  Most forms of comedy (parody, satire, etc...) are going to hurt someone's feelings.  Provocative ideas and opinions are likely to hurt people's feelings.  I like Triumph the Comic Insult Dog and Christopher Hitchens, so I guess I'm a hardcore alcoholic.  How stupid.

I also liked:

"I often acted without thinking as a child."

Answer True = alcoholic.  To the genius psychologist who designed this test:  CHILDREN ARE BY NATURE IMPULSIVE.  Look it up in your Psychology 101 textbook, idiot.

Starting Your Driver Intervention Program

Where You Stand At This Point

You've had your license taken away and have gone to court.  You have two suspensions at this point.  Let's say that it's a 1st Offense DWI, or RSA 265-A:18, in which case they are:

• the administrative (Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles) suspension is 6 months; and,
• the criminal court suspension is 9 months.

The will run concurrently, unless you refused a BAC test, in which case they run consecutively.

Driver Intervention Programs

The criminal court suspension will require that you enter and successfully complete a relevant driver intervention program before you get your license back.  If you enroll within 45 days they'll reduce your criminal court suspension significantly, usually 3 months.  For a 1st Offense DWI, you need to enroll in either the Weekend Impaired Driver Intervention Program (WIDIP) or the Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP).  Each consists of 20 hours of instruction.  The WIDIP is a residential program lasting from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, and costs $585.  The IDIP is a 22 hour course that meets twice a week for 3 hours a night, for 3 weeks, and costs $460.  If this is your second DUI, you will either take the Phase II (if they were spaced a long time apart) or the MOP courses.

You have to take your course at the facility closest to your residence or place of work.  For me, this meant Amethyst Foundation, Inc. or REAP.  I chose Amethyst.  Most of you will also likely go to Amethyst Foundation or REAP.

This is from the Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles Website:

Alcohol Intervention/Education Programs

THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF PROGRAMS:

• Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP) or Weekend Impaired Driver Intervention Programs (WIDIP)
• Phase II Programs for the Repeat First Offender
• The Multiple Offender Program (MOP) for Second or Subsequent Offenders
• 28 Day Residential Treatment Programs

PROVIDING AGENCIES:

• Amethyst Foundation (Provides: IDIP, WIDIP, Phase II, and MOP)
  120 Hedding Road
  Epping, NH 03042
  Phone: 603-679-2100 or 1-800-327-1114
  E-mail: amethystfoundation@myfairpoint.net
  Website: http://amethystfoundation.com 

• Community Alcohol Information Program (CAIP) (Provides: IDIP, WIDIP, and Phase II)
  119 North Main Street
  Boscawen, NH 03303
  PO Box 8507
  Penacook NH 03303-8507
  Phone: 603-753-8181 or 1-800-660-4246
  Fax: 603-753-4422 

• Court Referral Program (Provides: IDIP)
  103 Roxbury Street, Suite 206
  Keene NH 03247
  Phone: 603-352-0800
  Fax: 603-352-1699

• Friendship House (Provides: 28 Day Residential)
  Route 302
  Bethlehem, NH 03574
  Phone: 603-869-2210 

• Serenity Place (REAP) (Provides: IDIP, Phase II, and MOP)
  93 Manchester Street
  Manchester NH 03101
  PO Box 1477
  Manchester NH 03105
  Phone: 603-625-4528
  Fax: 603-625-6982 

• Southeastern NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services (Provides: IDIP and MOP)
  272 County Farm Road
  Dover NH 03820
  Phone: 603-516-8160
  Fax: 603-749-3983
  
• The Farnum Center (Provides: 28 Day Residential)
  235 Hanover Street
  Manchester NH 03104
  Phone: 603-622-3020 exts 10 or 33

• Tri-County Community Action Program (Provides: IDIP, WIDIP, Phase II, and MOP)
  PO Box 659
  Berlin NH 03570
  Phone: 603-752-7941
  Fax: 603-752-7832

The New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules (He-A 700), and the New Hampshire Statutes (RSA 265-A:39 and RSA 265-A:42) describe everything about these programs.  Print these out and read them so that you understand everything relevant to the program you are enrolling in!

Once you enroll, be sure that a copy of your enrollment documents are mailed to the New Hampshire Circuit Court where you were convicted, so that they will reduce your sentence.

What "Successful Completion" Means

You must "successfully complete" your intervention program.  So just attend class and be on your best behavior, right?  No.

He-A 702 contains the definitions used in He-A Chapter 700.  The definitions are always at the beginning of each chapter and they often mean something different than a normal person would think.

He-A 702 (ao) "Successful completion" means "successful completion" as defined in RSA 265-A:42, II and III and RSA 265-A18, VII(c)."

RSA 265-A18, VII(c) states:

"Successful completion'' means meeting further counseling requirements, if any, arising out of the final evaluation given to the offender at the I.D.I.P. or the M.O.P. or its equivalent; provided, however, that the offender shall have the right to a hearing before the commissioner or designee, who shall determine whether the further counseling requirements arising out of the final evaluation are warranted and appropriate, and whether the offender should be eligible for license restoration.  The definition in this subparagraph shall also apply to RSA 265-A:42.

 RSA 265-A:42, II:

For the purposes of this section, "successful completion'' means meeting further counseling requirements, if any, arising out of the final evaluation given to the offender at the I.D.I.P. or the M.O.P. or its equivalent; provided, however, that the offender shall have the right to a hearing before the commissioner or designee, who shall determine whether the further counseling requirements arising out of the final evaluation are warranted and appropriate, and whether the offender should be eligible for license restoration.

Administrative rule He-A 704.05  "Attendance and Completion Requirements," states:

(a)  Pursuant to RSA 265-A:42, V(a), a client shall be presumed to have successfully completed an IDIP or WIDIP if he or she has met the following requirements:

   (1)  Attendance at all class sessions, with active participation in discussions and assessments,  and completion of exercises, tests, and all required forms;

   (2)  Completion of the scheduled exit evaluation and assessment interview; and

   (3)  Payment in full of all assessed program and administrative fees.

(b)  The presumption in (a) shall be overcome by the provider if the LADC     conducting the exit evaluation and assessment interview issues a positive finding for alcohol or other drug abuse and/or dependence and requires the client to comply with further counseling requirements before the program is considered to have been successfully completed. 

 Isn't that sneaky?  After the classes, you are not done if the LADC conducting the exit evaluation and assessment interview issues a positive finding for alcohol or other drug abuse and/or dependence.  In that case they can ask you to do "further counseling requirements" or "aftercare."  Aftercare may be significant and require more than a year to finish, until which you will not get your license back.

What Constitutes A "Positive Finding" Which Will Trigger Aftercare?

The guidelines for what constitutes a positive finding are in He-A 707.12 (c):

He-A 707.12  Exit Evaluation and Assessment Interview.

          (c)  The LADC conducting the exit evaluation and assessment interview shall issue a positive finding, thus overcoming the presumption of successful completion described in He-A 704.05(a), if any of the following exists:

(1)  The client’s diagnostic test scores indicate alcohol or drug abuse or dependence, as follows:

a.  The client’s DRI-II alcohol or drug scale score is at the 60th percentile or greater;

b.  The client’s DRI-II truthfulness scale score is at the 90th percentile or greater; or

c.  The client’s RIASI score is 10 or greater;

(2)  The client is age 21 or over and had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.16 or higher at the time of arrest;

(3)  The client has 2 or more alcohol or drug-related motor vehicle arrests or convictions;

(4)  The client is under the age of 21 and had a BAC of 0.08 or higher at the time of arrest; or

(5)  The client meets diagnostic criteria for alcohol or other substance abuse and/or dependence in accordance with the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder (currently the DSM-IV).

If you scored positive for any of the 5 items above (there are really 8), you will get assigned aftercare.  You will have to see a LADC counselor, attend AA meetings, and abstain completely from alcohol or any mood-altering substance.  Aftercare may last over a year.

Several points:

• The people at Amethyst Foundation were absolutely incompetent at every aspect of their job.  (Probably because of long term alcohol use and the pro-belief/anti-intellectual philosophy they espouse as AA'ers.)  Beware!  Keep copies of all your paperwork.  Get everything in writing.

• The LADCs there are shockingly incompetent and ignorant about science, interpreting diagnostic test scores, the law, etc...  Never, ever, follow their advice.  Pretend that you are impressed with their knowledge--their insecurity feeds off of that.  

• Never show that you have an independent thought.  Say and do as little as possible, because they will use whatever they can get against you to justify more aftercare.  

• The amount of aftercare is discretionary.  If the LADC dislikes you, he/she can, once they have a positive finding, dump a ton of aftercare on you.

• The LADCs there think that they are on a mission to punish you for the betterment of society.  They are on a huge ego trip.  Don't fight it--it will only make it worse on you.

•  The recovery industry feeds off of itself.  Expect the LADC to order as part of your aftercare counseling with another LADC.  Insurance will not cover this (unless they are also Licensed Mental Health Counselors, which 99.9% are not because they only have high school/GED educations).

Items (2), (3), and (4) are straightforward.  If you are under 21, you are screwed--aftercare is mandatory if your BAC was at or above .08.  This explains all the teenagers I see in AA.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving is going after "underage" drinking very, very hard.  MADD actively opposes any consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21, even when not associated in any way with driving.  Item (3) is arguably unconstitutional because merely being arrested of an alcohol- or drug-related motor vehicle violation is not an indication of guilt.

Item (5) is meeting the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol or substance abuse or dependence.  You will be assessed for this during the courses.  Without telling you that the questions are related to the DSM-IV criteria, or their impact on your aftercare, the LADC teaching the course will have you answer them.  WATCH OUT!  The LADC I had did not ask the questions exactly as phrased by the DSM-IV and most people ended up being diagnosed incorrectly as alcohol dependent or abusers.  When the LADC hands you out a questionnaire with these questions be very, very careful.

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Dependence

A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1.       Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

a)      A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.

b)      Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.

2.       Withdrawal, as defined by either of the following:

a)      The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (refer to DSM-IV for further details).

b)      Alcohol is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

3.       Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.

4.       There is a persistent desire or there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.

5.       A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol or recover from its effects.

6.       Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.

7.       Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the alcohol (e.g., continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Abuse 

1. A maladaptive pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

a)      Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfil major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school; or neglect of children or household).

b)      Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine).

c)      Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for alcohol-related disorderly conduct).

d)      Continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication or physical fights).

2. These symptoms must never have met the criteria for alcohol dependence.

References:  DSM-IV. American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC.

Item (1) contains three criteria, meeting any one will require aftercare.  Two are DRI-II scores.  The third is your RIASI score.  These two diagnostic tests will be administered to you during you one hour intake interview with the agency providing your W/IDIP.

 The DRI-II AND RIASI Diagnostic Tests

If you score high on these two diagnostic tests, you will be assigned aftercare.  What are these?

First, the DRI-II.  According to the company that designs and sells it, Behavior Data Systems, Ltd.:

The Driver Risk Inventory-II, or DRI-II, was designed specifically for DUI/DWI offender assessment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reviewed all major DUI/DWI offender tests and rated the DRI-II as the best. NHTSA is the highest federal authority in the DUI field. The DRI-II assesses offender truthfulness, quantifies alcohol and drug abuse severity, classifies substance abuse/dependency according to DSM-IV criteria, measures stress handling abilities and determines driver risk. The DRI-II has impressive reliability, validity and accuracy.

Description

The Driver Risk Inventory-II, or DRI-II, is a brief, easily administered and automated (computer-scored and interpreted) DUI/DWI offender screening instrument or test. The DRI-II contains six scales that measure client truthfulness, driver risk, stress coping abilities, alcohol abuse severity and drug abuse severity while concurrently classifying offenders as substance abusers or substance dependent in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

Six Driver Risk Inventory-II Scales

The DRI-II contains 6 separate scales (or measures) that are standardized on the DUI/DWI offender population. These include:

Truthfulness Scale: Measures how truthful the offender was while completing the DRI-II. It detects denial and identifies attempts to try and fake good.

Alcohol Scale: Measures alcohol (beer, wine and other liquor) use and abuse. This scale measures the severity of alcohol abuse while identifying alcohol-related problems.

Drugs Scale: Measures the severity of illicit drug (marijuana, crack, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates and heroin) use and abuse while identifying drug-related problems.    

Substance Abuse/Dependency Scale: Utilizes DSM-IV criteria to classify substance abuse or substance dependency. Substance (alcohol and other drugs) users are classified with DSM-IV criteria.    

Driver Risk Scale: Measures driver risk independent of substance (alcohol or other drugs) use or abuse. Some people are simply dangerous drivers.  

Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures one's ability to cope effectively with stress. Stress exacerbates symptoms of emotional and mental health problems.

The DRI-II assesses attitudes and behaviors, yielding a DUI/DWI offender profile. Paper-pencil or on-screen test administration takes 25 minutes to complete, and tests are computer-scored with reports printed on-site within 2 ½ minutes.

The DRI-II was developed specifically for DUI/DWI offender evaluation. It is much more than just another alcohol or drug test; consequently, the DRI-II measures important behaviors missed by other tests.

Driver Risk Inventory-II Test Booklet

DRI-II test booklets are provided free. These booklets contain 140 items (84 true/false, 56 multiple choice). This booklet is written at a high 5th grade to a low 6th grade level. If a person can read the newspaper, they can read the DRI-II. It takes 25 minutes, on average, for DUI/DWI offenders to complete the test. DRI-II test booklets are available in both English and Spanish.

                 "Over one million DUI/DWI offenders in the DRI Database"

Driver Risk Inventory-II Reports

In brief, DRI-II reports summarize the DUI/DWI offender's self-reported court history, explain what attained scores mean and offer specific score-related recommendations.

Within 2½ minutes from test data entry, automated (computer-generated) 3-page reports are printed on-site. These reports summarize a lot of information in an easily understood format. For example, these reports include a DRI-II profile (graph), which summarizes DUI/DWI offender findings at a glance. Also included are attained scale scores, an explanation of what each score means and specific score-related recommendations.

Significant items (direct admissions) are highlighted, and answers to the built-in interview (the last sequence of multiple choice items) are presented. Emphasis has been placed on having meaningful reports that are helpful and easily understood.

To go directly to the example DRI-II report, click on the DRI-II Report link.

Wow!  That sounds like a great test, doesn't it?  The problem is that there is almost zero peer-review of the DRI-II test.  There have been only two studies of the DRI-II by independent researchers and those were seriously flawed.  All the other studies were done by Behavior Data Systems, Ltd.  In fact, Behavior Data Systems collects all DRI-II data and refuses to share it.  The passage above is just a sales pitch.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reviewed the DRI-II test in the exhaustive, rigorous study, "Review of screening instruments and procedures for evaluating driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI) offenders."  (Chang, et al., 2002).  The authors state that the DRI-II "has not been sufficiently validated," and do not recommend using it for that reason.

Next, the RIASI test.  This is short for "Research Institute on Addiction Self Inventory."  It's a 52 question, paper and pencil, 15 minute test developed in 1997 which supposedly predicts the likelihood of recidivism.

The Baldwin Research Institute, while conducting a study of the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), had this to say about the RIASI test:

Individuals who are charged with a DWI are also required to have medical evaluations. After placement in a Drunk Driving Program an assessment tool (RIASI) is used to evaluate the seriousness of the client’s problem. The problem with this evaluation tool is that it is an inaccurate measure of a substance abuse problem. After contacting Tom Nochajski from the University of Buffalo, one of the creators of the RIASI test, my office obtained a copy of the test and the accompanying research information backing up its efficacy and information pertaining to how it’s administered. After handing out the RIASI to 9 employees of Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. and tallying the results not a single person passed. What makes this result completely erroneous is that, to date, not a single person who took the test uses drugs or drinks and not a single person passed the test. Failing the tests is an indication that substance abuse treatment is necessary.

The RIASI is not very specific.  Most people score as substance abusers.

How To Not Flunk The Assessments

How to interact with the LADCs

(Note:  most of this material is from the excellent site, DUI School Truth, by "1lastdui." It's an excellent site and I have posted it on my blogroll.)

The LADC should be a trained interviewer that looks for clues that you are being untruthful or a Substance Abuser during your “Alcohol Assessment” or “Substance Abuse” interview. This causes problems because you may be telling the truth but you are acting like you are not. The best way to avoid this is to know what they look for from people who are being untruthful. You must be prepared for the interview so that they do not determine you untruthful and in need of intensive rehab. Below is a list of the things they look for to determine if you need intensive rehab.

1. Being on time. They note if you are on time or not. If you are late they take this as meaning that your life is unmanageable and you are having trouble coping. To the councilor this is a sign that you are an alcoholic or substance abuser in need of intensive rehab.

2. Appearance. They note this in the paperwork they send to the Court, Probation and the DMV . You should be clean shaven and in your best clothes and shoes and refreshed. If you are not, you may be having trouble coping with Substance Abuse and and in need of intensive rehab.

3. Eye contact. If you look away from them often this is a sign that you are being untruthful and need to have a “time out” to think up an untruthful answer. If you to roll your eyes or look up to the right or left may be lying.

4. Posture. When you sit in the chair if you fidget in the chair, slouch or cross your arms or legs, this is a sign that you are trying to protect yourself and may be being untruthful.

5. Hand gestures. If you touch your mouth or face during the interview it is taken as a defensive measure to protect yourself and you are being untruthful.

6. Detailed answers. If you give long elaborate answers it will be taken that you have thought the answers out before hand and are prepared to be untruthful.

7. Tell tale answers. The councilor will believe that you are untruthful if you use any of the following statements:

I know it sounds bad but …

It is hard to believe but …

Not really …

8. Being nervous and talking to fast or slow. Nervousness always means that you are hiding something and afraid the councilor is going to find out. If you talk to fast it could mean that you have been practicing the answers. If you talk to slow it may be because that you need extra time to come up with a good untruthful answer.

9. How you act after you think the interview is over. The interview is not over until you actually leave the room and on your way home. The councilor is looking for you to sigh and stretch out in your chair. This is a sign that you have let your guard down and that you were hiding something they did not find.  They will ask you if you have any questions and then follow it with a long period of silence. They are expecting you to make a mistake at this time and mention a question that you have may been untruthful about.

Look for these subtle questions on the DRI-II, RIASI, and any other material you encounter:

These questions are designed to see if you have been untruthful on other questions and if you are an alcoholic or abuse drugs. They are asking you about Substance Abuse tendencies and the questions and answers for someone that does not need extended rehab are shown below. They are looking for signs of Substance Abuse that are not outwardly apparent.  Below is a list of questions and the answers that someone who does not need intensive rehab would give (If you answer them differently you may want to seek further treatment):

 

1. Do you smoke? The answer is NO because the majority of all Substance Abusers smoke and it is determined as a sign that you have a problem with Substance Abuse. If you smoke occasionally (About a pack a week) this question may be dismissed in the interview. The councilor will also be noting your teeth and hands for signs of nicotine stains.

2. Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure? The answer is NO. Again the majority of substance abusers have high blood pressure.

3. Do you ever sweat uncontrollably at night? The answer to this is NO. These are called night sweats and substance abusers in need of intensive treatment have this problem.

4. Do you have diarrhea during the month? The answer to this is NO. Many substance abusers have diarrhea because of substance abuse.

5. Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease or been tested for one? The answer to this is NO. Substance abusers are known to have unprotected sex at times. If you say that you have been tested for a sexually transmitted disease they will think that you have been doing risky sex due to substance abuse. They may require you to have an HIV test and go to HIV avoidance classes.

6. Have you ever been diagnosed as depressed? The answer is NO. Again the majority of alcoholics in need of intensive treatment have been or need to be treated for depression.

7. Was anyone in your family an alcoholic or a substance abuser? The answer to this is NO. Many psychologists believe that substance abuse is inherited and if you have a relative that is a substance abuser you could have gotten it from them.

8. Have you ever taken anti-depressants? The answer to this is NO. This is also a subtle question to see if you answered question 6 truthfully.

9. Do you have trouble sleeping at night? The answer to this is NO. Substance abusers have trouble sleeping at night and often use this as an excuse to abuse substances to excess. They have no way of verifying this unless you tell them.

10. Do you have migraines? The answer is NO. DUI councilors see these as hangovers and a reason for the Substance Abuser to use substances to excess.

11. Do you sometimes speed in your car? The answer is NO. DUI councilors believe that substance abuse lowers your inhibitions and causes you to do risky behavior.

12. Do you get angry or upset easily? The answer is NO. Substance abusers have a tendency of getting angry and upset easily.

13. Is anyone in your family or a close friend a member of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotic Anonymous? The answer is NO.

14. Do you have to take more of less alcohol or drugs to get the same effect? The answer is NEITHER. If you are abusing a substance you build up a tolerance to it and it takes more each time you use it. If you have abstained for a while you may have to take less to get the same effect.

15. How many of your friends use alcohol or drugs regularly? This may be asked in various forms. The answer is always less than 25% if for alcohol and at or as close to 0% for drugs. If you socialize with people who drink or do drugs, than you most likely have the same tendencies.

16. Have you and your Spouse been talking about Divorce? The answer is NO. The councilors believe that if you and your Spouse are talking about Divorce, there is a good chance that it is Substance Abuse related.

17. Do you have any chronic illnesses? The answer to this is NO. If you have a chronic illness they will see this as a reason to self medicate yourself.

18. Do you have many close friends? The answer to this is MANY. Councilors believe that when you are a Substance Abuser you will loose all of your friends slowly and will become alone.

19. Do you have any Hobbies? The answer to this is MANY. It is believed that the Substance Abuser looses all interest in hobbies and just wants to abuse Substances.

20. Have you ever taken these types of Assessment Tests before or ever studied about them? The answer to this is NO. If you have taken these tests before it means that you have been at least assessed for substance abuse problem in the past and are most likely re-offending. If you have studied about these tests, there is a good chance that you are going to be untruthful with your answers.

Other Signs of Substance Abuse the LADCs Will Look For:

When you are talking to the LADCs they are making mental notes about the signs of Substance Abuse tendencies that you are giving them. If you admit to or act like some of these signs, you may be a problem Substance Abuser in need of extended or enhanced treatment and monitoring.  They only find out about these traits by asking and observing you, and most of the time have no way to verify any of the signs they report . Below is an fairly exhaustive list of the traits they look for:

 

1. Arrives at meetings or appointments under the influence.

2. Talks about getting drunk or high during class. Knows the lingo of people typical of having a drinking or drug problem.

3. Frequently goes off the wagon after attempts to stop.

4. Behaves in a impulsive or inappropriate manner.

5. Is seen as angry or defiant.

6. Over reacts to ordinary circumstances involving criticism or advice.

7. Is secretive about what they do.

8. Takes risks and acts in a reckless manner.

9. Breaks or bends rules and believes they are above the law.

10. Has financial problems.

11. Has increasing legal problems.

12. Makes inappropriate or unreasonable choices.

13. Has difficulty retaining eye contact.

14. Experiences sleep disturbances.

15. Has deteriorating personal hygiene.

16. Has chronic illnesses requiring doctor or hospital visits.

17. Has wide mood swings.

18. Has difficulty with schedules.

19. Makes many complaints or grievances.

20. Uses excessive sick time.

21. Is frequently tardy.

22. Hostile, disrespectful, untruthful, and uncooperative.

23. Withdrawn, depressed, tired, careless, or manipulative.

24. Having financial, work, school and/or family struggles because of drinking.

25. Has relatives who are heavy drinkers, alcoholics, AA or NA members or do illegal drugs regularly.

26. Has friends who are heavy drinkers, alcoholics, AA or NA members or that do illegal drugs regularly.

27. Frequents bars and night clubs or places where excessive alcohol or drugs are used.

28. Has lost all interest in hobbies.

29. Has ever been diagnosed as depressed, bipolar, or with any other psychological problem.

30. Has ever been put on anti-depressant, anti-psychotic or mood stabilizer drugs.

31. Has built up a high tolerance and has to take more alcohol or drugs to get the same effect.

32. Has been on the “wagon” for a while and needs very little alcohol or drugs to get the same effect.

33. A large number (above 25%) of their friends drink alcohol regularly.

34. Has friends who do illegal drugs on a regular basis.

Final Advice 

   

Keep a low profile.  Say and do as little as possible.  Be polite.  The DRI-II and RIASI tests, and the LADCs, will ask subtle questions that try to get you to reveal that you are a substance abuser.  Be on the look out for them.  The LADCs are on a mission...to punish you.  They will lie, try to gain your trust, only to hurt you.  Never, ever trust them.  They will dig, and dig, and dig, for any admission from you that they will then use against you.  They are stupid, mean, spiteful, and incredibly judgmental.  They are on a crusade to punish every drinker they encounter.

Interesting Feedback On My Posts From Reddit Readers

Interesting Feedback

Over on Reddit, I've gotten some interesting opinions I thought I'd post.  AA cult members are very hostile to criticism of their fragile belief system.  Belief trumps reasoning for them.  They are extremely anti-intellectual.  I call them members of the "Anti-Enlightenment" movement.  I expected a lot worse feedback then I received.  Some of it was very interesting.

On the post I did called "AA:  What The Science Says," I presented the major scientific studies on recovery programs.  The studies compared the efficacy of no treatment, AA, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT, or "SMART Recovery") or just conventional "talk" therapy (insight therapy).  Reddit readers made the following comments.  I was shocked by the faulty reasoning and logic in them.

They're only as effective as the person who is utilizing them.
Meaning: If the person really wants to quit, they're good resources. The only problem is the PERSON doesn't usually want to quit or isn't strong enough to stick to the programs.
Too much emphasis is placed on the programs.

I suspect this person is a present or former AA'er.  This is the typical "blame the victim" reasoning.  If AA doesn't work, it's because the person didn't want to quit badly enough, or isn't "strong enough" to stick with the program.  At the meetings I'm forced to attend, each one is opened with everyone chanting:

RARELY HAVE we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty.
The Big Book, William G. Wilson, Chapter 5, How It Works, page 58.

See the reasoning?  If AA doesn't work, it's YOUR FAULT!  You are constitutionally incapable of being honest with yourself.  You are one of the unfortunates.  You are naturally incapable of even comprehending what self-honesty is.  How incredibly condescending.
 

It shouldn't be "your fault" if a supposed "effective" treatment doesn't work.   This is comparable as having a doctor give you a sugar pill, having it not work, and then telling you that it's because you are a worthless lowlife.

A "Ms. Kim" from the "court system" (read--drug rehab industry, probably a LADC) wrote:

Of all of the people I have worked with in the court system, the majority of people who were sober after having drug and alchol/drug problems said it was because of AA/NA. A few quit cold turkey but that was very few.

To which I replied:

With the New Hampshire court system, EVERYONE is assigned to AA. There is no alternative alcohol/drug program.

It may be that the people you have worked with used AA because that's all that was available or that secular alternatives were just not as readily available.  Also, AA'ers proselytize just like any other fundamentalist group.

The science shows that AA is ineffective, or at least no more effective than spontaneous remission without treatment. Reliable scientific data trumps opinion, rumor, or anecdotal evidence, always. Not, "I heard" or "all the people I've worked with" or "around here" etc...

"Ms. Kim" replied:

People in the area were sentenced to rehab, treatment plans, AA, and a few other things through the drug court. I have yet to meet anyone who went to a treatment or rehab program and "got cured" (I'm sure there are some, I just haven't met them). Of the people I worked with AA is what people said worked. There is no hard data on the one cure all for alcoholism. If there was, everyone would be using only that one cure that worked. Now it is a hit and miss proposition and what works for one person may not work for another.

Ms. Kim completely misses my distinction between anecdotal, personal or hearsay evidence with real scientific evidence--large sample size, randomly assigned to different treatment groups, double-blind, etc...Then she states "there is no hard data."  Evidently she didn't read my post, because there is hard data and it is not a "hit or miss" proposition.

I replied:

Yes...there is hard data on recovery programs. A simple search of the literature would have shown you this. But I guess it's easier just to say "There's no hard data on the one cure for all alcoholism," isn't it?

See, particularly, the meta-analyses below:

Ditman, K.S., Crawford, G.C., Forgy, E.W., Moskowitz, H., & MacAndrew, C. (1967). A controlled experiment on the use of court probation for drunk arrests. American Journal of Psychiatry, 124(2), 64-67.

Brandsma, J.M., Maultsby, M.C., & Welsh, R.J. (1980). Outpatient treatment of alcoholism: A review and comparative study. Baltimore: University Park Press.

Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d., presumably 1990). Comments on AA.s triennial surveys. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.

I can tell you work in the court system and not the scientific system.

Let's hope Ms. Kim is not involved in choosing mandated self-help programs for DUI offenders.  Or maybe she is, here in New Hampshire.

"Cananboy" wrote:

Statistically speaking, they are not very effective. However, I've been to several AA meetings (open) as an observer and there are many individuals that it is helpful for. There is nothing wrong with taking a placebo if it works. So many people get caught up in the science and numbers, that they forget the actual meaning of it. There are few places where people can go and find a supportive group of friends and strangers. More power to them.

I mostly agree with Cananboy, and I appreciated his honesty.  Yes, there is something wrong with taking a placebo.  If you have an illness (drug abuse/dependence), you should not be given a placebo (AA) when there is an effective drug available (SMART Recovery, or even doing it yourself).  It's against the law for physician to do this.

Additionally, AA is not "optional" for me.  I've been ordered to go.  I'm an atheist.  AA is a religious organization.  Being forced to attend what are essentially religious services has been found by six federal circuit courts to be illegal. In the case of Grandberg v. Ashland County, a 1984 Federal 7th Circuit Court ruling concerning judicially-mandated A.A. attendance, the court said: 

Alcholics Anonymous materials and the testimony of the witness established beyond a doubt that religious activities, as defined in constitutional law, were a part of the treatment program.  The distinction between religion and spirituality is meaningless, and serves merely to confuse the issue.

--Wisconsin's District Judge John Shabaz 

If people want to voluntarily go to a religious service (where the Lord's Prayer is said while holding hands in a circle), they are welcome to.  They should know however, that in the largest and most rigorous scientific study to date, AA-treated subjects were over four times more likely to binge drink compared with the control group, and nine times more likely than the lay-REBT group.  (Brandsma, J.M., et al., (1980).  Outpatient treatment of alcoholism:  A review and comparative study.  Baltimore:  University Park Press.)

This is called "Informed Consent."  No one gives a damn about my consent, though, because New Hampshire mandated my AA attendance.  Silly me.

On my post entitled, "AA:  Of Course It's A Cult,"  I got a lot of responses from Reddit readers.

"bwthwy" posted:

I was involved in AA for around a year, and this was ultimately the reason I left. I was originally attracted to the program because I wanted to cut down on my drinking, and AA is one of the few drinking/drug programs that had meetings where I was. Coming in, I was pretty adamant with them about the past troubles I'd had with religion, but the party line is that your higher power can be anything, "even a doorknob," that keeps you from drinking.

After a few months, I noticed that, in reality, almost everyone had the same Christian higher power, but I decided to stick with it because another party line is, "many who leave the rooms die drunk within a year." One of the later steps is prayer. When I asked my sponsor about this, he insisted that I take the steps one at a time and that I act first, believe later.

I eventually read online about other secularists who had left the program and turned out fine. Many people like myself had grown tired of the slogans and dishonesty. I left a week before I would've picked up my one year chip and I've never looked back.
It's been six months, and things have turned out really well. I've had a few beers since then, but I do not drink like I used to. At some point, I think I just decided to grow up and take responsibility for my actions. As a result, I'm a lot more satisfied than I was either before or during AA.

AA lures you in by telling you that it's not a religious organization, but, in reality, it is.

"Canadian anarchist" wrote:

AA actually has quite a abysmal success rate at 5% of "graduates" staying sober 1 year after the program. Meaning that 95% of people are still alcoholics. The failings of AA are directly attributed to its religious basis. By taking the blame and responsibility off yourself and placing it in God's care, you absolve yourself of all independent will to change. If you fail, it's God's fault; if you succeed, it's God's blessing. The best drug abuse treatment is when the individual accepts responsibility for their actions and their future, that way lasting progress is possible.

 It was so refreshing to hear someone who knew the actual science behind AA.  More evidence that the US schools are failing to produce science-literate graduates capable of critical thinking (this poster was Canadian).

"RyanPsych" posted:

I've previously worked in an alcohol/drug rehabilition program- and yeah, AA is totally a religious program. In fact, several of the 12 steps require religiosity, including finding a "higher power" who is the only one that can solve their alcohol problems.
The fact that the majority of them take place in churches doesn't help the situation.

"spacepirate01"

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, I thought by AA you meant "American Atheists". Whew. Yeah "Alcoholics Anonymous" is definitely overly religious.

"TerXIII" said

I brought this up a few months ago. I was overwhelmingly shut down by the community, and downvoted into oblivion for stating my opinions of AA's perversion of scientific data, their low success rate, their semantic coercion, and the overall assumption that I was put into the program for a reason.

I refused treatment, and did my six sessions. I left the program of my own accord, despite their warnings that my problem would "consume you without our help.", and I have had maybe a handful of drinks in the last year. I have simply had no interest in drinking, but not because of the program, because I decided that I don't like being around alcoholics any more.

I don't know what's with AA people, but they seriously chew your ass for bad-mouthing the program.

"CompactusDiskus" posted:

AA is hugely problematic. To call it a cult is a little far fetched though, as it doesn't necessarily meet a lot of the standard cult criteria.

It is, however, based on completely unscientific foundations, discourages rigorous analysis of its practices, and reveres its founding "holy book" as doctrine that must be followed in order to succeed in overcoming addiction.

And finally, I got this lively exchange:

It started with "tttt0tttt"'s post:

What does atheism offer to the alcoholic desperately trying to stay sober? Nothing.
What does faith in God offer? A chance to stay sober.
That's why AA includes prayer in its steps to recovery. Because it works. Because it actually has power and does something. Unlike atheism, which does fuck all for anyone.

To which "Darkdude893" replied:

How does faith in god (or lack of it) affect someone's chances of staying sober?

"Bluescreenofdeath" wrote:

Essentially, AA teaches you that without god, you are utterly powerless to become sober, that your alcoholism will consume you if you don't turn to god as you understand him.
It's a standard salesman tactic.

"Canadian anarchist" replied:

It doesn't. That's the joke of AA.

"kzielinski" wrote:

Exept that what stats are available suggest that memers of AA do no better then people who are trying togo cold turkey on their own.

If you look at secentific approach to getting over an addition one of the things that is almost always used is some means of reducing pysical craving for the drug of choice.

For smoking doctors recommend nicotine patches
For Opiates there is methadone.
For Alcholism there is Naltrexone.

Except AA dosn't allow its members to use medication to assite in recover. Oh no, God is the only permissable crutch. Indeed no new developments in the treatment of drug dependency will be accepted, especailly if it disagrees with one of the twelve steps. The whole Idea that alchoholism should be treated as a disease being the first obvious case in point, where AA is still stuck in the 1930's while science has moved on.

In terms of self esteme the crux of a lot of thearapy approaches is to build an internal locus of control. That is the perception that I can make my own decisions and I can follow through with them. The crux of AA is the exact opposit, it is the idea that I can't so I need an external agent to make the decisions for me and make me follow through.

 This last exchange on Reddit really cheered me up.  There is intelligent life out there.