The Dangers of Driving Under The Influence

Think Twice Before Getting Behind The Wheel Intoxicated

All too often individuals get behind the wheel and drive when they are far over the legal limit. Individuals who drink and intend on driving must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or less in states across the nation. Generally, this means one drink whether it is wine, beer, or liquor. Depending on your body size, your blood alcohol concentration level may be lower or higher than 0.08 percent after just one drink.

Driving while impaired has a host of dangerous possible outcomes, most of which are life-threatening. Not only are you putting your own life at risk, but you are also putting the lives of those around you at risk; an extremely unfortunate circumstance. By virtue of one’s own bad decision to drive after you have been drinking, lives are put at jeopardy.

Intoxication Includes Being High on Drugs

When people think about driving under the influence (DUI) they often associated it with alcohol. When you drive after you have consumed any sort of mind-altering, psychoactive drug, you are driving under the influence. There are often misconceptions surrounding driving while ‘high’ on marijuana and many think that if is safe. The reality is that if there is THC in your bloodstream, you are twice as likely to get into a car accident than if you had no chemicals in your system. Marijuana alters your perception and can interfere with your ability to drive in a sound manner. Under no circumstances should anyone who has been smoking marijuana or drinking get behind the wheel and drive.

Consequences of DUI

There are some very serious repercussions of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing such can warrant a:

• License suspension
• Revoked drivers license
• Increased insurance rates
• Fee’s and fines
• Court-ordered community service
• Jail time

There are also long-term consequences of driving under the influence. This includes the inability for career advancement, loosing your shared custody rights, and having a criminal record, just to mention a few. One small decision such as drinking and driving can have long-lasting effects that follow you around for the rest of your life.

Many employers will ask for a background check which will investigate what sort of misdemeanors or felonies you have been charged with. After determined the kind of conviction that you have, you may be denied the job position based on this. If you plan on going out to have a few drinks, coordinate a designated driver to find an alternative route home such as utilizing public transit or rideshare services. Driving under the influence should never be an option.

Those who have been found guilty of driving under the influence may be required to have a breathalyzer device installed in their car. This device tests the individual for their BAC and will not allow the car to start if the individual is above the legal limit.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with an alcohol problem, treatment and counseling services are available. As soon you get away with drinking and driving once, you are more likely to continue doing this which will inevitably end in either putting your life at risk or endanger someone else’s life.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.