Life after a DUI charge is definitely harder, but this can be a positive experience if you take it as a wake up call that you need to make some changes. While it is easy to get stuck in a rut of negative thinking, you need to stop beating yourself up and get started restoring your life. Here, are the steps to take that will ensure a smooth path down the road to recovery.
Enroll in a Recovery Program
Whether you need a residential program or outpatient therapy depends upon the severity of your drinking problem. Even if your charges stemmed from one night of drinking at a social occasion, enrolling in a counseling program can help your case by making it clear that you take the DUI seriously.
Enlist Support
The social stigma associated with a DUI can make it hard to reach out to your family and friends, but you will need their understanding to get through the process of recovery. Be honest about your mistake, and let others guide you during the hard days that lie ahead.
Minimize the Consequences
DUI penalties are very harsh, even for first time offenders. For example, a first-offense DUI in Atlanta is considered a misdemeanor, yet you could be penalized with up to 12 months of jail time and fines as high as $1000. For this reason, you will want an experienced attorney who can try to limit your penalties to community service and alcohol counseling for a first-offense or help you keep your license if you are a reoffender.
Find Out Your Employer’s Policies
Depending upon your career field, your livelihood could be at risk after a DUI charge. This is especially true for anyone who has driving responsibilities such as delivery drivers. After your DUI, speak to your human resources department or consult your employee handbook to find out if you need to take steps to protect your career.
Plan for the Future
The consequences for a DUI increase in severity with every new charge. As you begin your recovery, make plans for avoiding alcohol in the future. Staying away from social events that involve alcohol is one way to avoid driving while intoxicated. It is also important to have a back up plan in case you do drink. Store the number to a taxi service or trusted friend in your phone who can help you have safe transportation should you imbibe in even a single drink again.
DUI charges can be tricky to handle. On one hand, they carry some of the stiffest penalties that can make your life harder, but they are also designed to keep everyone safe. While it can be hard to pick yourself up and move on, taking the right steps now can help you enjoy a brighter future.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.
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