Just about anyone who ever has been drunk understands that sometimes alcohol takes effect more quickly than we realize. You don't need to have taken an alcohol class to come to this conclusion. Whether we do not know the potency of the beverage we drank or the fact that our metabolism is slow, there are times when the powerful effects of alcohol seem to come out of nowhere.
Drinking at a bar with a group of friends or at a holiday party are situations where it is easy to drink more than you are aware of. When you meet good friends at a bar and catch up over a few cocktails, time flies by quickly and before you know it you are definitely buzzed. Or, if you are at a holiday party feeling a little shy or nervous, the eggnog or champagne slips down too easily and on an empty stomach too. You can drink more than you intended when glasses are being filled and the environment is designed for drinking and merriment.
When this happens, it would be wise to call a taxi or get a ride with a friend. Don't allow yourself to drive. If you feel buzzed, or even slightly buzzed, don't drive. Remember, alcohol gets more potent as time passes and you may be the victim of drinking too much without knowing it. Make the smart decision and find safe transportation home.
Showing posts with label dwi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dwi. Show all posts
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Don't Risk a DUI: Take a Taxi!
Trust me when I tell you that the best $50 you'll ever spend will be on a taxi home after getting drunk. By driving home in a drunken state you are jeopardizing your life and future as well as the lives of others.
Why then do so many people avoid spending the $20-$50 it would cost to take a taxi? As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol awareness classes I often discuss this principle with my students. Not surprisingly almost all agree they wished they had paid for a cab. They provide interesting excuses including, "I didn't have enough money on me", "I wasn't sure how to call a cab at that hour", "I didn't want to leave my car there over night", and my personal favorite, "I thought I was OK to drive".
At best, drinking and driving can result in a DUI violation which will cost you thousands of dollars. Heavy fines, increased insurance premiums, alcohol classes and counseling are only the tip of the iceberg.
At worst, you can permanently injure yourself or even kill yourself and others due to the "excuses" that allowed you to drink and drive. Imagine how the rest of your life would look if you killed your best friend or another innocent person because you were too cheap to take a cab ride? I have looked into the eyes of people with these stories. The regret and despair are unshakable.
Next time you are out on the town and know you have had too much to drink, please do the most responsible thing and call a taxi. Just think how fun a karaoke cab would be!
Why then do so many people avoid spending the $20-$50 it would cost to take a taxi? As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol awareness classes I often discuss this principle with my students. Not surprisingly almost all agree they wished they had paid for a cab. They provide interesting excuses including, "I didn't have enough money on me", "I wasn't sure how to call a cab at that hour", "I didn't want to leave my car there over night", and my personal favorite, "I thought I was OK to drive".
At best, drinking and driving can result in a DUI violation which will cost you thousands of dollars. Heavy fines, increased insurance premiums, alcohol classes and counseling are only the tip of the iceberg.
At worst, you can permanently injure yourself or even kill yourself and others due to the "excuses" that allowed you to drink and drive. Imagine how the rest of your life would look if you killed your best friend or another innocent person because you were too cheap to take a cab ride? I have looked into the eyes of people with these stories. The regret and despair are unshakable.
Next time you are out on the town and know you have had too much to drink, please do the most responsible thing and call a taxi. Just think how fun a karaoke cab would be!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Another Taxi Ride to Avoid Being Arresting for Drinking and Driving
As a counselor for alcohol awareness classes, I always inquire of my students how come they didn't choose to call a cab instead of choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by driving while intoxicated What percentable of them regarded taking a taxi or phoning somebody to pick them up and take them home? Think about that for a minute. Do you think most do? Most people? Some People?
The answer should surprise you - about ten percent. That means nine out of ten never considered alternative transportation. In this day and age, with so much cash invested toward promoting education and punishing behavior, why do so few not think of this? Following is a genuine account from one of my students in my alcohol awareness class.
Dustin's Story
Dustin and his older brother , Curtis, hadn't gotten together in nearly 10 years. Like many brothers these guys were really quite different. While Dustin was shy and reserved, a control freak, while his brother lived wild and care free. In fact, Dustin was picking his brother up at the bus station as Curtis had just been released from jail.
Their first stop was a local bar, because Curtis needed to "get ripping drunk." Regrettably for Curtis, neither sibling had much money and they were forced to leave after a couple of drinks, with Dustin promising more drinks at home. Dustin's wife, Sherri, had made dinner and all three continued to drink a several beers each and three bottles of wine with dinner. In spite of the fact that Curtis had drunk almost 2 bottles himself, Dustin was feeling the effects and passed out on the couch while his companions continued to chug the inexpensive wine.
When the clock struck midnight he was awakened by Curtis, who was asking for the keys to the car. Apparently, they had exhausted their supply of alcohol and Sherri and Curtis were making an alcohol and fast food run.
Alcohol-Impaired Decision
One significant effect alcohol is to alter the decision-making process. While Dustin thought he had "slept-off" the effects of alcohol on his body, and that he was just feeling "different" because he had been awakened in the middle of his REM cycle of sleep, he made an "alcohol-induced decision."
Ever-the responsible one, Dustin refused to give his brother the keys to the car as his honey and brother were totally intoxicated. After much pleading, and drinking two energy drinks, Dustin said he would drive. The three of them hopped into Dustin's Ford Escort and headed to the convenience store where they bought a case of beer and a box of Franzia wine, Sherri's favorite.
After a quick stop at Taco Bell they were driving back to the house. Beer cans littered the back seat as Curtis continued to put back Budweiser like a man dying of thirst. Three blocks from home Curtis panicked as he saw the red and blue lights of a police car in his rearview mirror.
Acting Like A Dopamine - Alcohol's Minion
When the policeman walk up to the car Dustin asked, "Was I driving too fast, sir?" The officer directed his flashlight into the vehicle and observed the empty beer cans in the back of the car. He asked Dustin if he had been drinking that night. Dustin confessed to having some beer and wine with dinner, but that was many hours earlier. The officer asked Dustin to step out of his vehicle.
The officer advised him there had been a distinct odor of alcohol in the car and Dustin tried to clarify that his brother had been drinking and he was very sorry. Regardless the policeman conducted a field sobriety test that he surprisingly passed. He then requested Dustin to submit to a Breathalyzer test.
Feeling confident after his success with the field sobriety test. So he agreed. His blood-alcohol-level was almost twice the legal limit. Dustin was immediately arrested.
The other two were completely drunk and unable to drive, and they had spent all their money on alcohol and food. They both spent the night in the drunk tank with Dustin, but were allowed to go home once they had sobered up the next day. Dustin wasn't nearly as lucky. He got to spend a full 48 hours behind bars.
High Costs of a DUI
Following his conviction of driving while intoxicated (DWI) Dustin was required to take an alcohol class. His legal costs, increased insurance premiums and fines ended up costing Dustin almost seven thousand dollars.
I asked Dustin if he had thought of getting a cab to take them to the store and to get late-night munchies. He and the rest of the class burst out in laughter. Not one of my students ever had considered taking a taxi from their own home to go buy alcohol or fast food.
Perhaps, after reading this story, you will consider this option.
Alcohol is a serious drug and should be used rationally. If you, or anyone you know, suffer from an alcohol problem, it is important to seek help immediately. There are groups like Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. There also are both classroom and online alcohol awareness classes available.
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| Probably Not Going to Pass |
Dustin's Story
Dustin and his older brother , Curtis, hadn't gotten together in nearly 10 years. Like many brothers these guys were really quite different. While Dustin was shy and reserved, a control freak, while his brother lived wild and care free. In fact, Dustin was picking his brother up at the bus station as Curtis had just been released from jail.
Their first stop was a local bar, because Curtis needed to "get ripping drunk." Regrettably for Curtis, neither sibling had much money and they were forced to leave after a couple of drinks, with Dustin promising more drinks at home. Dustin's wife, Sherri, had made dinner and all three continued to drink a several beers each and three bottles of wine with dinner. In spite of the fact that Curtis had drunk almost 2 bottles himself, Dustin was feeling the effects and passed out on the couch while his companions continued to chug the inexpensive wine.
When the clock struck midnight he was awakened by Curtis, who was asking for the keys to the car. Apparently, they had exhausted their supply of alcohol and Sherri and Curtis were making an alcohol and fast food run.
Alcohol-Impaired Decision
One significant effect alcohol is to alter the decision-making process. While Dustin thought he had "slept-off" the effects of alcohol on his body, and that he was just feeling "different" because he had been awakened in the middle of his REM cycle of sleep, he made an "alcohol-induced decision."
Ever-the responsible one, Dustin refused to give his brother the keys to the car as his honey and brother were totally intoxicated. After much pleading, and drinking two energy drinks, Dustin said he would drive. The three of them hopped into Dustin's Ford Escort and headed to the convenience store where they bought a case of beer and a box of Franzia wine, Sherri's favorite.
After a quick stop at Taco Bell they were driving back to the house. Beer cans littered the back seat as Curtis continued to put back Budweiser like a man dying of thirst. Three blocks from home Curtis panicked as he saw the red and blue lights of a police car in his rearview mirror.
Acting Like A Dopamine - Alcohol's Minion
When the policeman walk up to the car Dustin asked, "Was I driving too fast, sir?" The officer directed his flashlight into the vehicle and observed the empty beer cans in the back of the car. He asked Dustin if he had been drinking that night. Dustin confessed to having some beer and wine with dinner, but that was many hours earlier. The officer asked Dustin to step out of his vehicle.
The officer advised him there had been a distinct odor of alcohol in the car and Dustin tried to clarify that his brother had been drinking and he was very sorry. Regardless the policeman conducted a field sobriety test that he surprisingly passed. He then requested Dustin to submit to a Breathalyzer test.
Feeling confident after his success with the field sobriety test. So he agreed. His blood-alcohol-level was almost twice the legal limit. Dustin was immediately arrested.
The other two were completely drunk and unable to drive, and they had spent all their money on alcohol and food. They both spent the night in the drunk tank with Dustin, but were allowed to go home once they had sobered up the next day. Dustin wasn't nearly as lucky. He got to spend a full 48 hours behind bars.
High Costs of a DUI
Following his conviction of driving while intoxicated (DWI) Dustin was required to take an alcohol class. His legal costs, increased insurance premiums and fines ended up costing Dustin almost seven thousand dollars.
I asked Dustin if he had thought of getting a cab to take them to the store and to get late-night munchies. He and the rest of the class burst out in laughter. Not one of my students ever had considered taking a taxi from their own home to go buy alcohol or fast food.
Perhaps, after reading this story, you will consider this option.
Alcohol is a serious drug and should be used rationally. If you, or anyone you know, suffer from an alcohol problem, it is important to seek help immediately. There are groups like Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. There also are both classroom and online alcohol awareness classes available.
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