DUI Alcohol Treatment

Part of the complete guide to understanding addiction

Can you get a DUI from Other Drugs?

A DUI refers to the specific act of driving “under the influence”, a broad term indeed. Therefore, any substance which leaves you in a high or drunk state will result in a DUI if found in your system while driving. Such substances include marijuana, cocaine, or even LSD. (This once again displays the link between addiction and DUI, as alcoholics are usually addicted to various other substances.) One can land a DUI even if they consumed no alcohol at all; often, the consequences of driving under the influence of potent drugs can be even more severe than that of alcohol.

Detox from Drinking after a DUI

Alcohol detox is an important step in sobering up after your first DUI. The detoxification process is never easy, as your dependence on alcohol makes not drinking even more difficult. Most experience excessive sweating and shivering after drinking, as the alcohol is purged from the body. Detox can be especially difficult because there is no set timespan in which your body will finally be cleansed.

Withdrawal symptoms generally begin to show about 8 hours after the first drink. Symptoms peak and become almost unbearable between 24 to 72 hours later. Five to seven days later, symptoms decrease in intensity. Psychological symptoms and side effects can continue even past the first week.

How long should one wait between drinking and driving?

The body takes a long time to process alcohol naturally. While every individual’s tolerance plays a role, it generally takes the human body between one and two hours to process a single drink. So if an individual has three or four standard drinks, they will have to wait at least three or four hours before driving. However, because alcohol levels in the body continue to rise for an additional three hours post- drinking, the effects might have not worn off by then. One should therefore wait a minimum of six hours before once again operating a vehicle.

Drinking water and coffee does not hasten the body’s absorption of alcohol; neither do showers or exercise. You will have to wait the required amount of time for the effects of the alcohol to wear off.

Drunk Driving Fatality Statistics

According to the NHTSA, approximately 32 people die each day in the U.S. in drunk driving-related incidents. In 2019, the number of deaths reached 10,142, which is the highest since 1982. Furthermore, responsibility.org found that alcohol-related deaths made up about 29% of total vehicle deaths in 2018.

How to Prevent a DUI

There are a few ways to drink without having to worry about a DUI:

Find a Designated Driver

One of the easiest ways to avoid a DUI is designating a driver take you home. The driver should not be drinking when they are with you, or they should drink within the recommended amount, which is one standard drink. As long as you are not driving, you need not worry about a DUI.

Make Use of a Cab Service  

When considering a DUI, you can also hire a cab service like Uber if you know that you will be drinking more than the standard drink. These services can be hassle-free, and you do not have to worry about depending on someone to help you get home.

Do Not Feel Pressured To Drink  

The most critical thing to understand when out alone is that you cannot drink if you plan on driving. Since stopping after a first drink is difficult and unlikely, having a drink in the first place can be a bad idea. Never feel pressured to drink – and if someone starts insisting, just leave.  

Seeking addiction treatment after a DUI

Addiction and a resulting DUI can leave a lasting impression on your life. Such a report will show up on background checks, and may even be a factor considered by potential employers when applying for a new job. A DUI should also serve as a wake-up call to begin seeking the help you need to sober up.

You can ask your attorney to help you weigh your options, and relay your final decision to the district judge. Both the judge and attorney can then settle on an inpatient rehab for you to enroll in.

The court may also mandate your attendance of a DUI school – a program which educates people about drug use and abuse. They will also cover important topics such as alcohol consumption, and may be the first step to getting proper alcohol rehab.

Summary

Addiction and DUI are closely intertwined. Someone charged with a DUI may be arrested and face legal consequences. Worse, they may harm others by their actions.

DUI alcohol treatment may be mandated by a court or chosen by someone suffering from alcoholism or Substance Use Disorder. Alcohol or drug rehab are great options for someone who has had a DUI.

Sources:

• https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-dui-definition-laws-consequences-penalties.html
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-long-does-it-take-to-detox-from-alcohol#how-long-it-takes
• https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/alcohol/physical-health/drinking-and-driving.html
• https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/ways-to-prevent-drinking-and-driving
• https://www.responsibility.org/alcohol-statistics/drunk-driving-statistics/drunk-driving-fatality-statistics/
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving