D.U.I. Life Change

The past few days following my DUI arrest have been eye-opening. I’ve dealt with a myriad of emotions including remorse, shame, embarrassment, humiliation and self-loathing.

Now aware of the gut-wrenching feelings that accompany a DUI arrest, I’m curious how others deal with these emotions. Please share your story by commenting on the following page. Obviously, people who drink may have a tendency to cope with such anxieties with alcohol. So surely, there must be something available for them as they wait for their court hearing, BAC results and sentence. It’s interesting to me that short of Alcoholics Anonamous, a readily available support group is proving hard to find. Just because someone has received a DUI after meeting friends for drinks does not mean they need to join AA. (more…)

I woke up a bit depressed, not knowing what is ahead and called someone who’s been through a DUI. It’s amazing how many people have.

He lifted my spirits a bit… but I’m still beating myself up, feeling like a failure.

Since he was in the car with me when I was pulled over, he knows my state — and could verify that I wasn’t reckless. It just wasn’t wise to leave that parking lot after having alcohol.

Regardless, responsibility & change… today, I’ll clean my house and garden a little bit. Do things that will heal me… even if only a little.

Getting a DUI is a harsh reality that can lead to a myriad of emotions. Anxiety, stress, guilt, fear and embarrassment can be overwhelming. . . as it should be.

The best thing you can do is make positive changes in your life – don’t go victim. Pick yourself back up and find a way to improve yourself and your world. It’s the best thing you can do to move forward.

This blog is geared towards positive growth through your DUI arrest. Please feel free to share emotions and experiences by commenting on the following page. (more…)

The sound and feeling of the handcuffs will haunt me forever

Two nights ago, I got my first DUI. The first 24 hours were horrific — not because I was taken to jail right away, but because I was living in my own personal prison of self loathing.

I went home, went to bed and woke up the next day still sobbing. Having had only 3 hours of sleep, i needed more rest. But I also needed to be somewhere with people, so i went to work.

It was hard to get ready, as I continued to cry.

I now have a DUI. I have a record. I have a mugshot. I had been handcuffed and put in a police car at 1:30 in the morning.

I was devastated. I was humiliated. I was guilty.

I think the hardest thing that I had to deal with that first 24 hours was an overwhelming, heartwrenching feeling that I let down society. I let down my friends, I let down myself. And I’m sure God wasn’t too happy with me either. it was SO fresh and raw that it didn’t seem real.

This wasn’t the first time I had thought I was fine to drive home after a few drinks. It was the first time I got caught. And the emotions that went along with my arrest were far more excrutiating than ANYONE was able to prepare me for in the many stories I had heard before.

I have been in complete shock for the first 24 hours. The feelings that overcame me were far worse than i had ever imagined they would be. it wasn’t just a matter of, “Ok, this is what I need to do to fix this.” I will have to wait for my hearing, where I would learn the severity of my crime and … ugh… even using the word “crime” hurts… and the penalty I will have to pay.

The waiting is the worst part. I have no idea if I will have to pay for a breathelizer for my car. Will i have to stay in jail? And… for how long? (more…)