A few days ago I was drinking with my friends. My house was about 3 blocks away and I was an idiot and drove home. Needless to say I got a DUI. Does anyone now if the mandatory classes that they make u take are helpful of should I pursue rehab. I’m 24 years old and wouldn’t consider myself an alcoholic but def. A substance abuser and I want this to stop
Most people who abuse alcohol and/or drugs are college age (whether or not they attend college). As they accept adult responsibilities, they quit or learn to moderate, usually on their own.
"One recent study found that 80% of all alcoholics who recover for a year or more do so on their own, some after being unsuccessfully treated. When a group of these self-treated alcoholics was interviewed, 57% said they simply decided that alcohol was bad for them. Twenty-nine percent said health problems, frightening experiences, accidents, or blackouts persuaded them to quit. Others used such phrases as "Things were building up" or "I was sick and tired of it." Support from a husband or wife was important in sustaining the resolution."
Treatment of Drug Abuse and Addiction — Part III, The Harvard Mental Health Letter, October 1995.
AA has a 5% success rate, the same as quitting on your own. The difference is that many who find AA unhelpful end up worse off than when they first got there. Several studies show the ineffectiveness of AA:
1) Dr. Brandsma found that A.A. increased the rate of binge drinking, and
2) Dr. Ditman found that A.A. increased the rate of rearrests for public drunkenness, and
3) Dr. Walsh found that "free A.A." made later hospitalization more expensive, and
4) Doctors Orford and Edwards found that having a doctor talk to the patient for just one hour was just as effective as a whole year of A.A.-based treatment.
5) Dr. George E. Vaillant, the A.A. Trustee, found that A.A. treatment was completely ineffective, and raised the death rate in alcoholics. No other way of treating alcoholics produced such a high death rate as did Alcoholics Anonymous.
1) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Brandsma
2) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Ditman
3) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Walsh
4) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Orford
5) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Vaillant
The one thing that AA is very good at is convincing people that they cannot quit on their own even though people have been quitting, or moderating, for thousands of years before AA came along.
If you feel you still need help, check your local library for books by Jim Christopher (Save OurSelves) or Jack Trimpey (Rational Recovery). There are also online groups that offer support.
Re: Drug and Alcohol Abuse Help -- Brighton Hospital
This thing has 8 Comments
Take the bus and sav lives.
You are soooo lucky no one was killed in those 3 blocks
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I have heard many experts say that the best program is AA. This may be part of the mandatory classes you refer to, if you go into them with the attitude that you are doing this for yourself and not just because you are required to, it may help you tremendously.
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Rehab, NA, AA, court appointed classes, they are all helpful if you WANT the help.
If your consistent and take the subject matter seriously, it will help. But it doesn’t happen over night. It takes time, it’s a commitment and you must be diligent in your efforts. The classes/meetings offer the tools and support, you have to make them work and take control of your own life.
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.
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All education helps, most who are alcohols don’t know it or will become one,
You will learn what drinking dose to your body and brain and people who love you so attend and listen and don’t let the word alcoholic bother you.
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You could just walk a day in my brothers shoes.
Meetings everyday, Testing, no license, bad credit, ect.
Thinking of the consequences should be good enough.
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Taking a class will not help with your situation in court because it is a first offense, which shouldn’t be too bad. North Carolina also grant one expungment so within time you can make the DUI disappear from your records. Sign up for class to impress the judge and ask to pay court cost and fine without jail time, and a judge shouldn’t have a hard time agreeing.
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Well my suggestion to you would be to seek professional help for a few different reasons, the main reason being that when trying to quit, your body is going to go through withdrawal symptoms which can be severe at times, and being alone and attempting this by yourself is not a good idea. I know from past experiences with friends of mine, they have tried to do it on their own, but end up seeking help because it is just too difficult.
I want to recommend that you take a look at this site, http://www.drugabuse.com/drug-abuse-help.html?utm_source=ans&utm_medium=pv&utm_content=ld&utm_campaign=rcx
Most people who abuse alcohol and/or drugs are college age (whether or not they attend college). As they accept adult responsibilities, they quit or learn to moderate, usually on their own.
"One recent study found that 80% of all alcoholics who recover for a year or more do so on their own, some after being unsuccessfully treated. When a group of these self-treated alcoholics was interviewed, 57% said they simply decided that alcohol was bad for them. Twenty-nine percent said health problems, frightening experiences, accidents, or blackouts persuaded them to quit. Others used such phrases as "Things were building up" or "I was sick and tired of it." Support from a husband or wife was important in sustaining the resolution."
Treatment of Drug Abuse and Addiction — Part III, The Harvard Mental Health Letter, October 1995.
AA has a 5% success rate, the same as quitting on your own. The difference is that many who find AA unhelpful end up worse off than when they first got there. Several studies show the ineffectiveness of AA:
1) Dr. Brandsma found that A.A. increased the rate of binge drinking, and
2) Dr. Ditman found that A.A. increased the rate of rearrests for public drunkenness, and
3) Dr. Walsh found that "free A.A." made later hospitalization more expensive, and
4) Doctors Orford and Edwards found that having a doctor talk to the patient for just one hour was just as effective as a whole year of A.A.-based treatment.
5) Dr. George E. Vaillant, the A.A. Trustee, found that A.A. treatment was completely ineffective, and raised the death rate in alcoholics. No other way of treating alcoholics produced such a high death rate as did Alcoholics Anonymous.
1) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Brandsma
2) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Ditman
3) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Walsh
4) http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html#Orford
5) http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/without_aa/