Drinking and driving can have serious life altering consequences. While there is nothing wrong with going out and having a few drinks responsibly from time to time there is never a good reason to get behind the wheel of a car at the end of the night. Driving while impaired from alcohol can lead to arrest, injury or even death.
Alcohol can severely impair your motor function and reaction time, both of which are extremely important when it comes to safely operating a vehicle. Countless lives have been ruined or even ended by someone who got behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have. Drinking alcohol can cause visual impairments such as blurred or double vision, and the ability to comprehend what is happening around you is also impaired by drinking.
Drinking and driving is taken very seriously by law enforcement personnel. If you are caught behind the wheel after drinking there are very serious consequences. You will be arrested and taken to jail, if you don’t have the money to post bail you will be held in jail until you are arraigned by a judge. Going to court for an alcohol related offense is very serious. You could lose your license, be sentenced to jail or probation, or sent to a rehabilitative program. You may also be ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as part of your sentence or probation to demonstrate what irresponsible drinking can lead to.
Alcohol has a high potential for abuse in some people. The need to consume alcohol can cause irreparable damage to family relationships and friendships. What may start as harmless drinking with friends on occasion can quickly lead to drinking daily in some cases. Some people are unable to drink in moderation even if they just wanted to “have a drink or two”. Since alcohol is so easily obtainable and socially acceptable its potential for abuse is high.
Recovery from alcoholism is a lifelong struggle. There are many wonderful rehabilitation programs available, but completion of a program does not guarantee success. Remaining alcohol free will be something that has to be worked on daily, and not just for a while, but for the rest of your life. If you think that you have a problem with alcohol you may want to seek counseling or attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are lots of programs out there, but you have to be willing to take the first step and ask for help.
If you know you are going somewhere that drinks will be served plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver, or take enough money with you for a cab. Drink in moderation and be aware of how often you are drinking. If you start drinking more than a few times a week it could be a warning sign that there is a potential problem in the making. Drinking regularly is hard on the body, and can have lifelong effects like cirrhosis of the liver. The effects alcohol has on your body are nothing compared to what killing or injuring someone will do to your mind if you drink and drive and the worst happens.