How an Alcohol Awareness Class Helped Me

When I was younger, I started to drink quite a bit. My drinking really picked up in college, and I blacked out regularly. I thought it was cool, to not be able to remember an entire evening. Then I started to get in trouble because of my drinking. I was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), which I didn't think was so cool, and wound up losing a job I really liked because of my drinking. My girlfriend dumped me and told me I was a loser.

My drinking began spiraling out of control and I got my third DUI. Not only did I lose my license for a year, but I had to take an alcohol awareness class.

At the time I was in survival mode, just trying to get through the day so to speak but honestly, I really learned a lot. I reminded me of my Dad who was an alcoholic and whose life was empty. I decided I didn't want to be a drunk and that I would stop drinking entirely.

It has taken a lot of endurance and strength to change by behaviors, but I have been clean for almost a year now, and I am much happier and life feels better. 

My Son is Very Lucky He Got to Take an Alcohol Class

My son is very lucky. He did not get jail time for his DUI conviction. He also did not lose his job. He did however, lose his license for a year and I refuse to give him rides. He can take the bus, walk, or borrow a bicycle. 

He was ordered to take alcohol awareness classes. Since he was unable to attend a local class he is taking them online. The classes are good since they go into detail about the risks of DUI. My son needs to learn  how dangerous it is to get behind the wheel of a car if he has been drinking.

The night he spent in jail was a wake up call for him but I believe more education will help. The classes also helped me see what I need to do to help without nagging but setting good limits since he still lives at home.  We are learning to be different which means there is a lot more communication and honest conversations.

Indirectly, as a result, my husband has completely given up alcohol. This is good role modeling and leadership. I'm proud of them both.

Alcohol Awareness Class Helped My Son

I'm ashamed to admit that my 18 year old son was recently caught drinking and driving. Not only was he caught driving while under the influence, he's also too young to be drinking legally. I was so distraught at first, that I truly didn't know what to do.

I was angry because I had taught him all about the dangers of drinking and driving and hoped he wouldn't be drinking until he turned 21. Thankfully, the court ordered him to take an alcohol awareness class, and to my surprise, it really hit home. It opened his eyes to how many deaths are caused per year by people who drink and get behind the wheel of a car. He stopped feeling invincible and awoke to how lucky he was that he didn't get hurt.

He is truly ashamed of what he did, and I am pretty convinced that he will never drink and drive again. I am grateful the online class he took helped him learn an important lesson. He's my son and I'll always love him, but he did a very bad and dangerous thing.

He Has Decided to Change by Taking an Alcohol Class

My husband has decided to change the way that he has been living. He is finally recognizing that he has a drinking problem. I am relieved, I was almost ready to leave him because I could not take it anymore. It took his arrest for driving while drunk (DUI) to make him see that he was drinking too much.

He barely stayed out of jail. He lost his license for a year and has to do community service. He is also required to take alcohol classes. I think that those have made a bigger difference than anything. The classes he is taking are available online and he will go into the room and close the door. When he comes out, I can tell that the class are making an impact. He is apologizing to me regularly and beginning to admit that his drinking was out of control.

You Can Drink Too Much Without Even Knowing It

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.

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! 

Alcohol Class Could Save You from a DUI

With all of the advertising and education on how horrible the combination of drinking and driving is, it is a wonder that people continue to do so. The statistics are alarming.

People die and lives are ruined. This does not happen once in a blue moon. This happens every day. This happens every hour. This happens every 15 minutes! And these facts aren't hidden, we all know the terrible statistics.

So, the big question is why do people continue to drink and drive? As a counselor for both in-class and online alcohol classes I often discuss this very subject with my students. As almost all of them have had an alcohol-related incident, everyone in the room can speak about their problems and experiences. Some have gotten a DUI and many others have driven while drunk but weren't caught.

Many report believing they were "ok". It is very common for drinkers to underestimate themselves as we know by now that alcohol affects judgment. Have you ever convinced yourself you were safe to drive? If you answered "yes", take a second to think about why you do it.

There is no good reason to drink and drive. Do not ever let yourself believe it is okay and that you can manage to get behind the wheel without any risks. Either you will eventually get into an accident and possibly kill yourself or somebody else. Or you will be arrested and thrown in jail. If that happens to you, consider yourself very lucky.

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?

Probably Not Going to Pass

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.