People that drink and drive are consistently putting people’s lives in jeopardy including their own. Some people that continue to drive drunk will never get caught and some people will be responsible for minor accidents, hit and runs, or even worse a fatality. Getting a DUI may be an implication for some to change the behavior that they are doing and use other means of transportation to get them around while they are under the influence. For others, they will continue to drive until they do something irrevocable.
Having been incarcerated for DUI, there may be an urgent need for change to prevent more jail time. Once again others may not see the errors of their ways and continue to drive despite the consequences they have already faced. They may just chalk it up to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and proceed with their drinking as if nothing ever happened.
Repeat offenders with a DUI add up to about one-third of all drivers that are arrested or convicted of drunk driving. Does this mean that a repeat offender is an alcoholic? They could be, but getting a DUI does not constitute being an alcoholic. To establish if someone is an alcoholic should stem from whether they are able to stop drinking once they start. The definition of alcoholism is “a chronic, a progressive, potentially fatal disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction”. While drinking and driving is part of the alcohol assessment questionnaire, in their disclaimer it declares that the test is merely a basis to guide someone to the understanding of their alcohol use.
While it would be easy to automatically point at someone and call them an alcoholic based on multiple DUIs, the disease of alcoholism is much more complex than that. Blacking out, driving under the influence, and other inquiries on the assessment questionnaire are instrumental in deciding if there is a problem with alcohol. Having multiple DUIs may be a strong indication that help is needed with alcohol abuse, but may not be the only deciding factor. Regardless if you are an alcoholic or not, drinking and driving is dangerous and can impact lives in a dramatic way.
There is no need to get behind the wheel of a car under the influence of alcohol any longer. If you need to make a decision to stop drinking alcohol, let us help you here at Serenity Oaks Wellness Center. Our trained professionals are here to aid you in detoxing safely off alcohol while keeping you comfortable. Call us as soon as possible: 844-720-6847
