DUI Offender Programs

A good DUI school is designed to assist the offender in examining his or her own life style, habits and possible addiction. Alcohol is not the problem in itself. The core of the problem is generally the offender's irresponsibility, failure to recognize habits, practices and the inability to appropriately use alcohol. There is also the common problem of alcohol addiction. Many DUI offenders are alcoholics and should simply not drink at all. However, some DUI offenders are not alcoholics, but have made very poor decisions. The decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol shows a lack of maturity, understanding, and disregard for the law. One must choose and "decide" to drive under the influence prior to drinking. If I decide to drink knowing that I am to drive myself home, I have already made a decision to drink and drive. This decision has been made prior to being intoxicated. The DUI offender failed to make a mature decision, especially when one knows that they have a tendency to drink to the point of impairment. Habitual DUI offenders fail at personal discipline, because of addiction or sheer laziness and irresponsibly. Many times the person is simply selfish and immature. An undisciplined person is a lazy person. They may get up and go to work like everyone else, but taking initiative and being responsible goes further then holding a job or having a degree. Discipline is something that must be maintained and applies to many different areas of life.

A 50 year old political figure who kills a family while driving under the influence is immature and irresponsible. When he or she fails to face the responsibility by creating excuses and seeking to get off on a technicality; this is also a clear display of selfishness and irresponsibility. Although their accomplishments suggest discipline is some areas, the DUI, and conduct subsequent to the DUI shows a failure to apply that same discipline consistently through life, and the lack of or deterioration of integrity. It is the job of the DUI counselor to determine what kind of offender they are dealing with. I could not manage the 17 year old alcoholic who has an 8th grade education and has grown up in foster homes, the same as I would the 50 year old politician with a successful career. It takes a trained eye of discernment to apply the right treatment to the right patient. An effective DUI counselor can change the entire life of a person, or can waste their time. Not every one wants help. Although that is a significant factor in helping and offender, it is not the only factor. Even those who don't want help or think they don't need help often leave and effective DUI program changed for the better.

Although I do not agree that everyone who is sentenced to a DUI offender program needs to be there, most do. If you were arrested and your BAC was over the legal limit, regardless of your education, intelligence and how you perceive yourself, there is something for you to learn. Perhaps a simple mistake was made and it won't happen again. It is part of the programs to determine this. The price of the DUI offender program varies and is an expensive lesson. Some of us indeed learn the hard way. However, better to learn in a class with your freedom then to do 15 to 20 years for killing someone else, killing yourself, or someone you love.