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Alcohol makes you do crazy things, like driving while intoxicated. Most importantly, it causes you to lose good judgment. Case in point is the decision to drive your car after a night of drinking. Do you know the difference between DUI and DWI?
What is The Difference between DUI and DWI?
DUI stands for driving under the influence. It indicates that a police officer pulled you over and conducted a breath test. During that time, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was at or above .08 percent, which is the legal limit. Even if you were able to function fine, the law considers you drunk.
DWI is the acronym for driving while intoxicated. It might refer to your inability to drive safely even though your BAC is below the legal limit. Frequently, there could be additional drugs in your system that lead to impairment. Sometimes, there might not be any alcohol in your system at all.
Terminology can vary by jurisdiction. That said, both acts are illegal. Therefore, you might face criminal charges. If this isn’t your first arrest for a DUI or DWI, you might be looking at jail time, too.
Stopping the Behavior before It Gets Worse
If you struggle with an alcohol use disorder, quitting isn’t as easy as it sounds. You have a physiological and psychological addiction to deal with. Because addiction’s a disease, you need the help of experts in the field. Typically, alcohol addiction treatment takes place at a rehab facility.
There, you work with DUI and DWI specialists to customize your rehab experience. Possible treatments include:
- Detoxification that breaks the physiological dependency on alcohol and protects your health
- Group therapy that provides for addiction education to understand the breadth of the condition
- Family counseling, which helps loved ones recognize the extent of your use disorder and how it affects you
- Psychotherapy that includes behavioral counseling for coping skills development
- Holistic practices such as yoga to explore new stress management techniques you can continue after program graduation
What If This Isn’t Your First Time in Rehab?
Addiction’s a chronic disease with a relapse potential. If you recently had a run-in with the law due to DUI or DWI, consider it your wakeup call. Even if you underwent rehab in the past, you might have relapsed. Relapse typically means that you start using again.
If you previously struggled with an alcohol problem, you started drinking again. Maybe the relapse is recent. Even if it’s been going on for a while, there’s help. Going through rehab again can help you develop the coping skills you previously missed.
Similarly, it can put you back on track quickly. Often, the court system may require you to complete a substance abuse program. It’s best that you get a jump on things and select the one that you prefer. Otherwise, you might end up in a facility that won’t meet your needs.
Now that you know the difference between DUI and DWI, isn’t it time to get help? Whether it’s your first, second, or third time, the Silver Pines Treatment Center can lend a hand. Therapists want to assist you with overcoming addiction now. Call 267.209.7313.
