| You shouldn't have been drinking and driving, | | | | determine where you would best receive care |
| but now that you've been caught, you've | | | | for your problem. |
| already realized this at least. | | | | |
| | | | Depending on the level of abuse or |
| When arrested for driving over legal limit | | | | dependency, you may well not require |
| for alcohol or under the influence of drugs, | | | | inpatient rehab; and an intense participation |
| you might want to question your substance | | | | in group support meetings, in AA or another |
| abuse behaviors, and determine if your DUI | | | | 12 steps program; or in sessions with a |
| arrest is only a symptom of a larger problem. | | | | therapist, may be enough structured support |
| Some people do drive drunk as an isolated and | | | | for you to better your problem. |
| regrettable incident, for whatever reasons; | | | | |
| but for many people, a DUI conviction serves | | | | If you realize that due to the length or |
| as a wakeup call to the extent of a problem | | | | severity of your addiction, or because of |
| with drugs or alcohol. | | | | other factors like a co-occurring mental |
| | | | disorder you need more intensive treatment, a |
| A DUI can be a great thing if no one gets | | | | residential facility may offer you a better |
| hurt and your arrest and trouble with the law | | | | chance to sobriety. It's a good idea to get |
| sparks a real commitment to change and gets | | | | some advice if you are unsure as to your |
| you to initiate treatment. Although getting | | | | treatment needs, and a single session with an |
| healthy and getting sober is surely benefit | | | | addictions therapist may be all that is |
| enough, you also gain favor in the eyes of a | | | | required for an accurate diagnosis of the |
| judge at sentencing time if you have admitted | | | | problem, and a recommendation for appropriate |
| to a problem, and also taken serious steps to | | | | treatment. |
| remedy your substance abuse behaviors. | | | | |
| | | | Don't wait for yet more tragedy |
| You may even convince a judge that your | | | | |
| isolated incident stemmed directly out of | | | | If you can use a DUI towards personal change |
| your substance abuse problems, and that as | | | | and a better life of sobriety then your |
| you are receiving treatment you no longer | | | | arrest becomes a blessing. Realize that your |
| pose a threat to re-offend, and the very best | | | | drinking or drugging has begun to cause you |
| sentence for you would be imposed and | | | | serious problems, and take a good hard look |
| mandated continuing care for your abuse | | | | at your level of use. If there is a problem, |
| problems. | | | | it's not going to go away on its own, and you |
| | | | have a great opportunity to help yourself in |
| Getting help after a DUI | | | | two ways. |
| | | | |
| Once you can no longer ignore the extent of | | | | Help yourself to minimize the legal |
| your problems with substance abuse or | | | | repercussions of your arrest, as you also |
| addiction, and once faced with legal | | | | help yourself live a better life free from |
| repercussions of your use, you need to | | | | the pains of abuse. |