This figure doesn’t even take into account potential property damage or medical expenses resulting from accidents. What happens when you get a DUI (an arrest and conviction for drunk driving) depends on what state you live in. Getting a DUI can also result in negative consequences for your relationships, job, social life, finances, and mental health.

• Conservative estimates suggest that the effects of alcohol-impaired driving and the mission to tackle it cost the United States billions of dollars every year.
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• If you are involved in a drunk driving accident, having a skilled attorney is crucial to protect your rights and navigate the complexities of the legal process.
• A drinking-related condition is also known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.

Impact on Public Services

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. For example, a 2018 study found that light drinkers (those consuming one to three drinks per week) had lower rates of cancer or death than those drinking less than one drink per week or none at all. Every state has a zero tolerance law which prohibits under 21-year olds from driving with any detectable amount of alcohol in their blood stream. Now, an under 21-year old with even trace amounts of alcohol in their blood drug addiction will automatically be guilty of driving under the influence.

How to Stop Drinking

If you are convicted of a DWI or DUI offense, your insurance rates will likely increase dramatically. According to Forbes Advisor, car insurance rates go up 70% on average after you have had a DUI. Additionally, you may need to obtain an SR-22 document to verify you have purchased auto liability insurance.

Alcohol and your health: Risks, benefits, and controversies

• Therefore, it is essential to avoid drunk driving at all costs to prevent jeopardizing the safety of oneself and others.
• A person is 380 times more likely to be in a fatal crash at .15 BAC than when sober.
• Any charge of operating under the influence (DUI) is not limited to the use of alcohol.
• Insurance companies are not forgiving when it comes to DUI convictions.

A good lawyer can challenge evidence, negotiate plea deals, or advocate for reduced penalties based on the circumstances of the case. In a growing number of states, drivers who are convicted of DUI are required to install ignition interlock devices on their personal vehicles. Some states are requiring these devices for first-time offenders as well. However, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are far-reaching and can involve legal problems, injuries, emotional trauma, and financial strain—just to name a few. These limitations make it hard to know how much to rely on studies that find health risks (or benefits) to alcohol consumption.

The Consequences Of Drunk Driving: A Look At The Legal, Financial, And Personal Repercussions

However, when there are aggravating factors, such as an unusually high blood alcohol concentration or an accident in which the DUI consequences of driving drunk causes serious bodily injuries, many states require more jail or prison time. And when a felony DUI has killed or injured somebody, you could face a prison sentence lasting several years. Between legal fees, fines, increased insurance rates, and other related costs, the total can quickly climb into the thousands.