Each year there are more than ten thousand traffic accidents and fatalities that involve the use of alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this number will continue to rise without proper awareness and resolution. The usual punishment for drunk driving would be time served in jail or prison but many court systems today are shifting their focus towards providing treatment options after a drunk driving arrest. Studies show that treatment and substance abuse education can be very effective in reducing the rates of repeated DUI’s. Instead of treating impaired driving like any other crime, it is now being treated as an opportunity to change a person’s behavior for the better.

Where can I register for DUI school?

Each state has its own range of treatment opportunities and legal requirements when it comes to getting drunk drivers off the road and into treatment. As part of the legal consequences for committing a drinking and driving offense, you can expect some sort of alcohol education or treatment services to be added to your checklist. For the majority of people who have family, work, and other obligations this is a very viable option compared to spending time behind bars. If taken seriously these classes can help lessen the severity of a drunk driving conviction and help with any underlying substance abuse issues that may or may not have been the cause of said conviction. Welcome to DUI School.

Even for offenders who are lucky enough to have their DUI charge dropped down to reckless driving, substance abuse education at a DUI school can still be imposed. These state-approved DUI programs combine evaluations, group counseling, and individual counseling all into one program. Videos, lectures, and group discussions can also be used to tackle ongoing problems in the driving community.

Which DUI School is right for me?

Before the education portion of DUI schooling can begin, an initial evaluation is done to assess the goals of the program and the needs of an individual. The initial evaluation, conducted by a state-certified substance abuse specialist, can be used to determine if an individual is a good candidate for a drug and alcohol education program. In some cases, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) may be a better option for those who are found to have a very severe substance abuse problem associated with alcohol. At the time of the evaluation, an individual may be required to provide a copy of their driving record, criminal, history, and arrest report. An alcohol assessment or drug screening and questionnaire may also be required to assess the individual’s history with alcohol and illegal drug use. Upon completion of this extensive evaluation, you and your evaluator will know exactly how much time in DUI school would be sufficient for your learning and what level of education best suits your needs.

What is a Risk Reduction Program?

A DUI- Risk Reduction course is the most common type of DUI school. It is an intervention program required by law for people convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, or Boating Under the Influence (BUI). The first part of this course is the assessment component. Participants will be given a 130-question comprehensive screening instrument used to evaluate the extent of an individual’s alcohol and drug use and its impact on driving. After completion of the assessment component, the intervention component is administered. This component consists of a 20-hour course comprising several sessions over several days. You will not be alone during this portion of DUI school since sessions are delivered in a group environment. The intervention component is designed to offer therapeutic education and peer group counseling dealing with alcohol and drug use and its effect on driving. Group counseling sessions are set up to help individuals understand the common problems and issues other individuals may face in association to driving under the influence. This is a proven way to help an individual acknowledge substance abuse problems or triggers that may go unnoticed in their own life. Videos and lectures can also be used to help participants see the bigger picture when it comes to the effects of alcohol on the body and brain.  Students must complete both parts to receive a Certificate of Completion

What will I learn in DUI School?

DUI school goes over and emphasizes the importance of creating better life decisions and avoiding situations in the future that may lead to a recurring DUI incident. Different scenarios are presented to students as they are guided toward the correct and responsible choice. For example, the consumption of alcohol is not allowed and is never condoned to students, but the importance of drinking responsibly is a good lesson that can be taught in programs like this. Students are taught to have backup plans so they don’t drive while under the influence and they are also informed about the dangers of binge drinking. As you move along and progress in your DUI school you will hit many major points and highlights. Counselors and facilitators will also talk about identifying triggers, surrounding yourself with the right people, and the grave repercussions of future DUI offenses. Many attendees may be in a rush to get out of DUI school because of how much classes can cost out of pocket and the time it consumes but when an individual focuses on how much information can be attained a greater change can be made to make our roads a safer place to drive.

DUI convictions don’t just go away in the blink of an eye, they have grave ramifications that can last for years. Even after paying fines and meeting all requirements of the court a DUI conviction can still undermine your future opportunities and haunt you for years. The best thing you can do for yourself or a loved one is taking full advantage of what DUI schools have to offer before it no longer becomes an option. They exist to educate offenders about the severe and long-term consequences of DUI in hope that they will think twice the next time they are impaired and get behind the wheel.