What Should I Do After Being Arrested for a DUI?

Being arrested for a DUI – a charge for driving under the influence – is a life-changing event. It can have many implications for a person’s life, with legal, financial, and personal repercussions. However, it is always possible to overcome being arrested for a DUI and rebuild a healthy, sober, and fulfilling daily life. Knowing what steps to take and who to contact following a DUI arrest can empower each person to best address the situation while pursuing the proper support to avoid future DUIs or legal issues stemming from the use of addictive substances in the future. 

While those living with addiction, or especially high-functioning addiction, may be at an increased risk of being arrested for a DUI, in reality, being arrested for a DUI can happen to anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one million arrests are made a year for driving while under the effects of drugs or alcohol. Even those who may not regularly engage with alcohol can make the mistake and experience associated life-changing consequences, and there is nobody who is immune to the effects of addictive substances. This also means that it is important to know what to do after being arrested for a DUI, either to take action oneself or to support a loved one.

Being arrested for a DUI is going to be met with an intense amount of stress, and often coupled with feelings of guilt, anger, shame, and much more. A DUI arrest does not just affect a singular person but often entire families. However, there are always things that each person can do to impact the situation positively, either through providing support or knowing where to go for further guidance. 

The stress of a DUI arrest is intense. For those about to face these legal challenges, it is important to remain calm and assess the situation to best focus on what a person can do now to improve their situation. Taking a deep breath can empower an individual to truly acknowledge the situation and its severity, as well as better plan for the future. 

Likewise, family members of those who have been arrested can also benefit from taking a deep breath. This can help to quell feelings of resentment, anger, blame, and more, and help families listen to the situation that led up to a DUI arrest, as well as better support those going through the legal consequences. 

Getting into contact with a local treatment facility like Hawaii Island Recovery can empower those who have been arrested for a DUI to truly analyze their relationship with drugs or alcohol. Addiction comes in many forms, and many of those who live with the disease may not recognize that addiction has developed. For many, being able to identify substance use disorder (SUD) is the first step in pursuing sobriety after being arrested for a DUI. 

Contacting a local treatment facility also shows that an individual is taking their DUI charge seriously and looking to pursue change on their own. While many sentences may require that an individual receive care for SUD, proactively addressing this potential relationship can look good in front of judges, which may impact sentencing. 

A DUI arrest affects all areas of daily life. For many, a license suspension is common, and preparing a plan for transportation to the workplace or other plans is necessary to ensure that a person can continue tending to responsibilities and professional obligations. Working with family, being honest about the situation, and creating a unified front to prepare for change is paramount. Preparing for change can also ensure that a person has a plan to address the financial impact of being arrested for a DUI, with several fines or legal fees on the horizon. 

Regardless of the situation and factors that led to a person’s arrest, it is paramount to commit to change in the future. Working with the professionals at Hawaii Island Recovery is the first step toward this change, as well as addressing the underlying factors that may have informed a person’s use of drugs or alcohol in the first place. For many, a DUI is a major wake-up call to truly challenge the effects of SUD, with healing being a holistic journey that addresses not just the substances themselves but also the emotional challenges, mental health disorders, trauma, and more that may inform such use. 

While a DUI arrest can feel completely overpowering and daunting, change is always possible, and it is always possible to overcome the effects of a DUI and a person’s relationship with drugs or alcohol to prevent future mistakes and pursue a healthy, sober life. Hawaii Island Recovery’s Hawaii drug treatment programs can empower each person to create a new daily life for themselves in sobriety, all while learning the skills to navigate stresses and other challenges and address how a DUI may continue to impact their financial lives, professional status, and more. 

It is always possible to overcome a DUI arrest and continue to pursue personal goals, sobriety, and more. At Hawaii Island Recovery, our unique approach to addressing alcohol addiction and Hawaii drug treatment programs can all help you navigate the challenges and legal complexities following a DUI charge, all while empowering you to make the necessary change and pursue a sober life in the future. We are prepared to help you explore your relationship with drugs or alcohol, or help you find a place that can best support you and your needs to address such a difficult and stressful situation. For more information, call to speak to one of our trained, caring staff members today at (866) 390-5070.