The DUI conviction is a life-changing event. DUI consequences are just one of the many reasons why you should find DUI recovery resources to help in your DUI bounce back. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the effects of a DUI conviction and how DUI recovery can improve your quality of life after being convicted.
6.6 million children in America under the age of 18 years have at least one parent who is an alcoholic. In fact, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACA) estimates that 46% of all adults in the US have grown up in a family with alcoholism. As a result, it is one of the most common causes of DUI in America. Over half of families in the US have to deal with issues that come with a DUI, including possible jail time, and the enormous expenses for the penalties that go with it. These problems are hard for a family to handle since they will affect the obligations of a parent to the family, thus putting a strain on relationships with their child. Such issues may even cause a family to separate. However, if you approach these situations correctly, you may keep the family together and reduce the stresses that go with a DUI conviction.
11 DUI Conviction Consequences You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Limited Mobility After DUI Conviction
A DUI typically results in the loss of driving privileges. This means it will take time before you’re able to drive again which limits freedom and places stress on loved ones who must transport you where you need to go every day. And don’t expect this period of tight oversight by others (and no transportation) to end once your probation is over; most states prohibit DUI offenders from operating vehicles even after their driver’s license has been reinstated so if convicted, plan ahead with alternate methods of transportation.
DUI insurance problems
DUI consequences also include increased premiums for car insurance. Your rates will be higher because you are now a liability risk to your insurer and it can take years before they go back down, if ever. The good news is that many life insurance companies offer DUI accidental death benefits at reduced rates so this could be an option worth exploring when looking for affordable coverage after conviction.
DUI Conviction May Affect Employment
A DUI charge does not automatically mean the loss of your job but it can result in termination if there is a company policy against driving under the influence of any kind of substance abuse on the job site, even prescription medications that may trigger false positives during drug screens required by some employers to avoid embarrassing complications like these with future employers, it is best to disclose your DUI conviction when asked on job applications. You may also want to check with state employment agencies as they sometimes offer programs that help people convicted of driving under the influence find work.
Child Custody Problems
If you are a parent and are convicted of DUI, there’s a good chance you will lose some or all custody rights as judges typically do not look favorably upon those who put children in danger by drinking and driving.
Higher Taxes
Part of DUI consequences can be increased taxes owed to the government due to fines, penalties, and court costs associated with DUI convictions. This means that even long after the initial arrest and conviction, you could still be dealing with financial ramifications.
DUI Conviction May Result in Difficulty in Traveling
DUI consequences can make it difficult to travel outside of the country. This is because DUI arrests often result in international passport problems, especially for DUI offenders who are not United States citizens.
Social Stigma
A DUI conviction comes with a social stigma that makes it very hard to live normally after you’ve served your sentence and paid all fines associated with a conviction. In some cases, people convicted of DUI have been shunned by their family members or even kicked out of school so if possible before having a brush with the law, do what you can to avoid driving under the influence when going out on weekends or celebrating special occasions like graduations and holidays.
Transportation Complications
If you’re in an accident while intoxicated behind the wheel at night in many states, DUI consequences include being required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. This is a machine that requires drivers to breathe into it before they can start their car so if you are convicted of DUI, the state will mandate this kind of installation for at least six months.
DUI Consequences May Continue After Prison
Many DUI offenders think once they’ve paid their debt to society by serving time behind bars and completing probation that all DUI consequences will cease but nothing could be further from the truth because many states require those with one or more DUIs on record remain under court supervision even long after they complete their sentence.
Carpool
If possible, it may be more cost-effective for you to carpool with someone who doesn’t drink alcohol when going out on the weekends or celebrating special occasions like graduations and holidays since this will not only cut down your costs but also reduce DUI consequences including increased insurance rates if convicted of DUI charges. Alcohol is a serious issue in America today. It’s easily accessible, inexpensive, socially acceptable – especially at events such as weddings where alcohol use starts early in the day despite being illegal for anyone under 21 years old to buy or consume alcoholic beverages. The fact remains that drinking while driving continues to cause accidents involving injuries and fatalities every year some people just don’t think about the DUI consequences of driving under the influence.
Prison Time and Fines
The list of DUI consequences goes on and on, making it difficult for those convicted of DUI charges to bounce back from the experience. However, there are resources available to help offenders rebuild their lives after a DUI conviction so they can move forward in a positive direction.
Overcome and Recover After DUI Conviction
DUI consequences can be very tough to overcome. The good news is that there is hope and help available for those who are willing to seek it out. Here are 11 ways to help you recover from a DUI conviction:
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- Get connected with a DUI support group. There is power in numbers, and sharing your experiences with others who understand what you’re going through can be incredibly helpful.
- Talk to a therapist or counselor about your thoughts and feelings related to the DUI. This can provide some much-needed insight and guidance as you work through this difficult time.
- Identify your triggers and develop strategies for dealing with them. For example, if you find yourself wanting to drink after an argument with your spouse, have a list of alternate activities to do instead, like going for a walk or taking a bath.
- Make healthy choices in all areas of your life. This includes eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.
- Avoid any type of self-judgment and criticism. Accepting that you made a mistake and forgiving yourself is an important part of the healing process.
- Take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Make sure to schedule time for rest and relaxation, even if it’s just ten minutes a day to sit quietly and breathe deeply.
- Stay connected with family and friends. They can provide support during this difficult time.
- Continue to educate yourself about DUI laws and penalties. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to make wise decisions about your future.
- Focus on the positive aspects of your life, even if they seem small. Every little bit of good counts when you’re working towards recovery.
- Seek professional help if you feel like you’re not making progress or if DUI consequences are starting to negatively impact your life. There is no shame in asking for help; in fact, it shows strength and courage.
Don’t Suffer Alone
A DUI conviction causes many problems to a family if you do not handle it correctly. Breaking up of a family might be the hardest part of it all. An essential step in recovery and reconciliation is seeking professional drug and alcohol rehab and treatment.
If it is your spouse or parent, try to talk it out. Talking it out will rebuild the trust you had for each other. It might take time to recover from a DUI, but approaching it together as a family will lessen the weight.
For more information about DUI laws and penalties, visit the website of your state’s department of motor vehicles. You can also find helpful resources at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Check out our more tips on or post; Teenage Drinking Is Worse In Bored Teenagers.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.
