Many people who are charged with a DUI offense have to face certain questions about their ability to drink responsibly. These questions may come from friends and family, and can often be stated in offensive or disrespectful ways. They may not know how to show their concern or be supportive, but the questions still remain. In fact, the court may also have questions about your drinking issues, and you could help your case if you are willing to address it.
- You don’t have to be an alcoholic to have a drinking problem. Many people who have problems with drinking are using alcohol as a way to “numb out” when facing other serious life issues. Moderation Management is a behavioral change program for people who are concerned about their drinking and want to make positive lifestyle changes. It also has a national support network and offers strategies to help get your drinking under control.
- Take a self-test. From the privacy of your own home and with no one viewing your responses, you can take a self-test to decide whether you might have a problem that warrants professional help.
- Find a program. Alcoholics Anonymous has a presence in all fifty states. Find a meeting and check it out, even if you only listen the first time. If you’re uncomfortable with AA, there are other programs out there that can help. Smart Recovery is a self-empowerment program with free support groups, and Rational Recovery offers an alternative to AA, which may even be permitted by the courts.
- Talk to your lawyer. Your DUI Attorney should know whether it will help your case to attend AA or another recovery program. In some cases, your judge could give you a lighter sentence or allow you to enter a pretrial diversion program if you are taking active steps to address the problem.
If you think you may have a problem with drinking, don’t try to deal with it alone. Be prepared to take a few steps to help yourself now, and you could save yourself a lot of pain, expense, and legal consequences down the road.