I got a DUI

stillcrazy · Oct 1, 2003

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

I'm not judging this person, but as I said above and someone else said, for the BON it's a red flag. Not this person, but the overwhelming majority of persons who get DUI's have a drinking problem.

I would be interested to know where Tweety gets his statistics about most DUI's being alcoholics. I would venture to say the exact opposite is true. I am a recovering alcoholic and know that a DUI does NOT necessarily indicate alcoholism. I see people all the time in meetings who have been mandated to be there. They made a stupid decision, but that doesn't make them an alcoholic. Sometimes a mandated meeting does wake a person up that there is a real problem and that's a good thing but please, let's not assume that all, or even most, people pulled over and then failing a breathalyzer are drunks. The definition of a real alcoholic, according to AA is someone who cannot control their drinking, i.e. when they pick up, they don't stop with one or two - they keep chasing the feeling. I know from experience that this is a true definition.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

I believe what Tweety said is most DUI's having a drinking problem, not that they are alcoholic. There is a difference between drinking problem and alcoholic.

As driving is a privilege and not a right, and one is not to drink and drive, if one gets a DUI, there is obviously a "problem".

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

Originally posted by stillcrazy
I would be interested to know where Tweety gets his statistics about most DUI's being alcoholics. I would venture to say the exact opposite is true. I am a recovering alcoholic and know that a DUI does NOT necessarily indicate alcoholism. I see people all the time in meetings who have been mandated to be there. They made a stupid decision, but that doesn't make them an alcoholic. Sometimes a mandated meeting does wake a person up that there is a real problem and that's a good thing but please, let's not assume that all, or even most, people pulled over and then failing a breathalyzer are drunks. The definition of a real alcoholic, according to AA is someone who cannot control their drinking, i.e. when they pick up, they don't stop with one or two - they keep chasing the feeling. I know from experience that this is a true definition.

Good point. I think I later admitted I don't have any stats, but was going by info from someone who is in the impaired nurses program because of a DUI (not all states have an impaired nurses program).

I do think there are people who make a momentary lapse in judgement. However, still stay that drinking and driving is not "responsible" drinking and thus a problem. If one can't control themselves enough to sober up before driving, they are a problem drinker. Perhaps we shouldn't assume "most" are alcholics, most are probably people just out having a good time, but I still would venture to say the percentage is high.

I also still maintain that it should be a red flag because the potential is there for more serious problems that could lead to lapse in judgement in nursing.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

Originally posted by mattsmom81
I agree with posters who pointed out other dangerous driving situations...there are a number we can name.

Those who drive while allowing distractions, (kids, dogs, reading)cell phones, eating, aggressive driving, innattention...even the 90 yo granny driving 20 on the freeway.....all these things I have seen contribute to accidents YET we are going after .08 BAC...because we can apparently. It is easy to PROVE with the breathylyzer. Too bad we can't make it against the law for the other things too, eh? A woman on a cell phone and an innattentive man rammed into me on the road and injured my cervical spine.....but all I can do is take their insurance $$$...no punishment for them. Maybe I should have demanded the officer do a breathylyzer...if they used mouthwash that am they may have failed and been punished...

Time for Whiplash Sufferers Against Cell Phones to form....

Some states have decided .10 is a better measure of impairment on the road. Probably a more fair number, IMO, although I see many here would disagree.

One who uses a cell phone or eats while driving is being just as careless as one who has a drink and drives, IMHO. But they guy who had the drink will get major punishment in the event of the accident, won't he?

So..the smartest thing we can do to protect OURSELVES is don't drink and drive. Regardless if we disagree with it, its the law today. We can try to change it but as mentioned, it is politically motivated.

JMHO as always.

Very excellent point. Right now it is politically correct to go after drinking and driving, but not cell phone users who are unsafe drivers. And it should be. Speeding tickets are so common, there is no political correctness is cracking down on that either.

But politically motivated or not, drinking and driving was out of hand in the 70s and lives have been saved as a result of the crackdown. (Again no stats, just making an assumption.) When I came of drinking age at 18 who ever heard of a "designated driver"?

stillcrazy · Oct 1, 2003

Tweety,

I agree with every word you just wrote! Also have to apologize for not reading further when you had added a comment about statistics.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 2, 2003

Originally posted by mattsmom81
Time for Whiplash Sufferers Against Cell Phones to form....

I think getting rearended 5 times (twice in one day), each and everytime involving the drivers that hit me needed a surgical procedure to remove their ear from their phone MIGHT qualify me to be a member in this club. Sign me up.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2003

Originally posted by stillcrazy
Tweety,

I agree with every word you just wrote! Also have to apologize for not reading further when you had added a comment about statistics.

Thanks, it's a very long thread and it's tempting to response to posts as you read them, so I understand.

mother/babyRN, RN · Oct 2, 2003

I think assuming there is a major ETOH problem is premature..People make mistakes..Bad ones...I would report it, be remorseful ( it seems as though you are), and if at some point there is a problem to be addressed that you may not recognize now, seek assistance for it. They may ask as a condition of your license, that you be enrolled in a substance abuse program. EVEN if you do not feel or there is not actually an underlying problem and this was a one time foolish indiscretion, it would probably behoove you to take the advice.....I wish you all the best....{{{}}}

Baby D · Jun 10, 2004

i was so stupid the other night, i had two drinks, got pulled over and failed the breathalyzer. will this affect my al rn liscence when we renew next year
before that i had a clean record, not even a ticket. i am no alcoholic just did something very stupid that i will never never do again

hello,

i am a new user on allnurses.com, i came across your posting. i was wondering the outcome of your situation. i am in a similar situation. i am still a student working toward an rn degree. i am so dissapointed and even bitter about now having a dui on my record. i only have one but i have drove drunk several times and i guess it just caught up with me. i am greatful in a way cause i know it could have been worse, i just should have known better. i just keep thinking of all the things i could have done differently that night. i would appreciate any advise you can offer. all i know is we are all human and we make mistakes, the important thing is that we learn from them in order not to keep making them. sometimes i feel like i'm my own worst enemy, holding myself back in life and putting up even more road blocks, as if life doesn't have enough challenges. i get scared that i will miss the whole point or lesson out of all of this. i just keep worrying about if i can still become an rn or how people will judge me and if i go for a job interview will this exclude me from opportunities. sorry to talk your ear off. i havn't drank since, it's only been a few months, but i tell myself i will never drink again because it just isn't worth it. i'm mad at booze! well if i never drink in my whole life again i tell myself the dui was worth it. i just don't think it is fair that it stays on your record for so long. i am from california. i hope everything turned out ok for you. :rolleyes:

d

moderator note: please remember this thread is from 2003.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2004

And if you hit something /killed yourself or someone else while DUI ....how much longer would it stay on your record????????

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 10, 2004

best be glad no one WAS hurt, and leave it that. its what I would be doing.....thanking the Lord I did not maim or kill another person, (or myself)----after a huge lapse in judgement that could have such grave costs.

NP2BE · Jun 10, 2004

WOW mjlrn97 let's be a little hasty in judging someone why don't we. If someone tells me this is the first time they have had any troubles maybe they are telling the truth. Your tone was a little harsh. I realize some people need wake up calls but sometimes they are being honest. Some of your advice was good.
Do report it to the board of nursing and do offer to take a class if the board wants you to have reeducation. Try to be humble and be open to whatever the board suggests. The worst thing you can do is be on the defensive. Admit your screw up and take responsibility for your actions. Then go on and be a great nurse. You now know unfortunetly what is like to be on the other side of the law and can have better empathy for those who do screw up. After all we are all human. Goodluck to you and let us know how things work out for you. You are in my prayers.

there was no judging, the poster just suggested the OP take a 2nd look. Whats wrong with that???