Category Archives: DUI

Will urinalyzers cut down on DUI’s?

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Will urinalyzers cut down on DUI’s?

We all know how and why breathalyzers work. You blow into a tube and it can accurately detect your blood alcohol content (BAC). If you have ever seen a breathalyzer hopefully it was because you owned one that you used to keep an eye on your own BAC and it wasn’t because you are drunk driving. If it was because you were drunk driving, at least you and the rest of the people on the road are safe. Drunk driving is dangerous and causes thousands of accidents a year. Many people needlessly die due to drunk driving and law enforcement as well as groups such as MADD; have been trying to combat it for years now. Finally there may be an answer to the drunk driving epidemic: urinalyzers.  

Few people actually have the extra cash to spend on a portable breathalyzer and even fewer people who have a portable breathalyzer with them, actually use it. The drunker people get the less responsible, shall we say, they get. This is where the urine-analyzer rightly dubbed the “urinalyzer”) comes in. A urinalyzers is a new device which measures your BAC when you go to the bathroom after a few drinks, a lot of drinks, or you can’t even walk to the bathroom in a straight line amount of drinks. These urinalyzers are the newest thing in nightclub technology created by a marketing agency DDB and Zouk, a popular night club in Singapore.

The urinalyzer is a creative and clever device that is meant to stop drunks before they ever become drivers. Therefore the urinalyzer is meant to stop drunk drivers. So how does a urinalyzer work?

  • First off, when you enter the nightclub you hand over your car keys in exchange for a special RFID card from the valet.
  • Second, you have a few drinks.
  • Third, you go to relieve yourself and the card will pair with the urine analyzer which then provides instant feedback on a screen above your urinal. 

If you have gone above the limit and don’t listen to the warning that you just got from your urinal, the RFID card will warn the valet pretty much not to let you drive. The valet will then offer you many other ways to get home that don’t involve you getting behind the wheel of a car. They may offer to call you a cab or pitch to you their own drive-home service.

The urinalyzer is a new proactive technology so it has plenty of room to develop and fix any minor inconveniences or problems; the biggest one right now being the fact that women don’t use urinals. It won’t be surprising if eventually the urinalyzer finds its way into the women’s restroom too. But in the meantime the urinalyzer has stopped 573 people over the legal limit; in only two weeks. The sad news about that is only 342 took the valet up on the cab or drive-home service but those numbers could improve and include every person over the limit with police involvement.

Either way it seems more than hopeful that yes, urinalyzers will cut down on DUI’s.

http://www.thefix.com/content/urinalyzers-tag-drunk-clubgoers91941

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Xanax and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination

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Xanax and Alcohol: A Deadly Combination


In recent years, as the use of prescription medication has proliferated in the United States, so too have the abuse of and overdose from many of these substances.

Prescription-drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the U.S., says a report issued last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The same report states that in 2007, there were roughly 27,000 unintentional deaths from drug overdoses—or one death every 19 minutes.

But of all the things that people ingest, there are few combinations more life-threatening than alcohol and Xanax, a benzodiazepine in the class of sedatives such as Valium and Klonopin.

What Makes Xanax and Alcohol a Deadly Combination?

When taken together, Xanax and alcohol have what’s known as an additive effect, which means that in the presence of Xanax, alcohol is made more potent than it would be alone.

Both Xanax and alcohol work by depressing the central nervous system of the body, reducing the activity of several mental functions, such as thought, memory, coordination, and respiration.

Alcohol alone doesn’t have that limit, because often times people will pass out before they drink enough alcohol for it to be lethal. When you take the two together and you have a totally different picture – Xanax and Alcohol: a deadly combination.

Prescription drugs and alcohol can be a dangerous combination. Alcohol interacts with anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax, intensifying the drugs’ sedative effects, causing drowsiness and dizziness, and making falls and accidents more likely. A 2010 study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health reported that automobile drivers were much more likely to weave and speed if they were under the influence of drugs like Xanax in addition to alcohol than if they had consumed alcohol alone.

How it Works

Your usual three drinks is actually like drinking six. And because of the additive effect of combining the two substances, it becomes impossible to know just how your body will absorb the alcohol you’ve ingested. Throw in other factors—sleep deprivation, an empty stomach, a cold—and the mixture is made all the more unpredictable and deadly.

Xanax and alcohol is the most deadly combination because it can cause amnesia. So not only is it does this combination affect respiratory function, the amnesic effect it causes is just as deadly. People die accidentally in the truest sense of the word: they don’t remember how many drinks they had, or how many pills they took.

 Why Xanax, in particular

In fact, it is this same rapid action that makes Xanax the most addictive of the benzodiazepines, many neuroscientists believe, providing the sensation of a high more so than other drugs of its class.

Other people start taking prescription drugs just to get high, perhaps in part because they have the false notion that prescription drugs are safer to experiment with than are illicit drugs.

Any benzodiazepine is highly dangerous in combination with alcohol, but Xanax is perhaps the most dangerous, because it is more fast-acting than the others. Because Xanax and alcohol both work on the brain at a rapid-fire pace, their mutually enhancing effect is bolstered compared to slower-acting benzodiazepines, which peaks in the brain more slowly, after the effect of the alcohol may have already begun to decline.

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.thedailybeast.com

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.scientificamerican.com

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

What is alcohol detox?

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Alcohol detox for those who have found themselves physically dependent on it is an absolutely integral and lifesaving part of the recovery process. The literal definition of alcohol is; treatment to rid the body of poisonous substances, specifically in this instance alcohol. Alcohol detox is where the initial physical cleansing of the body happens, so alcoholics can continue on alcohol free. Most alcohol detox facilities make it their mission to give the people there the most comfortable alcohol detox possible because it can be severely uncomfortable. At an alcohol detox it is almost guaranteed that each individual will be in a safe, comfortable and medically supervised program. Alcohol detox gives alcoholics who have been surrounded by chaos a peaceful and relaxing environment. The setting during alcohol detoxification is imperative so most alcohol detox facilities try to give a tranquil and serene experience with special accommodations, food, comfortable beds etc. Not only that but alcohol detox has a knowledgeable and caring staff that treats each alcoholic who comes in with respect so they can get the most out of their stay and be comfortable.

Entering alcohol detox

When an individual first enters into alcohol detox they are assessed in order for the facility to meet their detoxification needs. The average length of stay in alcohol detox is 4-10 days. During this time in alcohol detox everyone is bound to have alcohol withdrawal symptoms due to the alcohol leaving their body and this can be very uncomfortable and scary. This is why alcohol detox makes sure that during those 4-10 days that they are physically cleansing that everything is personalized to their needs so they can be medically assisted in the best ways for them. Doctors begin overseeing treatment in alcohol detox from the moment the individual arrives.

What to expect from alcohol detox

What each individual can expect from alcohol detox is the highest level of care. The reason alcohol detox focuses so much on the quality of their care is because this is the beginning for each individual on their way to achieving their goal of long term sobriety. An inpatient alcohol detox guarantees an effective medical detox experience where the recovery process can start.

Alcohol detox is just the beginning

Alcohol detox is just the beginning of the journey into sobriety but it is one of the most imperative parts of it. This is where alcoholics go to get a clean body, mind and soul in order to begin taking those steps to true healing. Alcohol detox also gives each individual multiple outlets and tools that they will be able to use as they go forward and their alcohol detox ends. Some of the things that many alcohol detox facilities recommend after the detox process is complete are inpatient residential alcohol treatment, or outpatient alcohol treatment. The chances of an alcoholic finding success in sobriety go up significantly if they attend some kind of alcohol treatment after their time in alcohol detox is complete.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Consequences of a DUI

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Consequences of a DUI

Consequences of a DUI

Driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI), is a serious criminal offense. A DUI can cost you money, your driving privileges, even your freedom. But there are other consequences of a DUI as well. Besides the legal repercussions, a DUI can have emotional, social, and even relationship consequences.

Consequences of a DUI: Legal

The penalties and requirements for drunken driving vary somewhat from state to state. However, due to the effort of advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, all 50 states have passes laws intended to crack down on drunk driving by increasing penalties and consequences of a DUI.

You are still innocent until proven guilty in this country, but if you took a breath or blood test that recorded your blood alcohol content at 0.08 or above, you will be convicted of drunk driving. It does not matter if you did not appear intoxicated, if you have a BAC of above 0.08, you can be convicted under the “per se” laws in all 50 states.

Once you are convicted of drunk driving in court, you will be ordered to pay a fine, court costs, and will have your driver’s license revoked for a period of time. In some states, you will face jail time. From state to state, the amount of fine and the length of license revocation and the jail time will vary. However, in every state, the consequences of a DUI include a fine and license revocation.

Consequences of a DUI: Social

The consequences of a DUI also include social consequences. Your revoked license can cause you to have difficulties getting to work or school or to social events. Your peers may judge or ostracize you for getting a DUI. You may not get a job, be passed up for career advances, or be denied admission to the school you want to attend.  A DUI will increase your insurance rates and it may increase your mortgage or other loan rates.

Consequences of a DUI: Emotional

Some of the consequences of a DUI are emotional consequences. You may feel sad, angry, or ashamed. Those that get into traffic accidents while under the influence are prone to developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This disorder often includes experiencing flashbacks and unpleasant memories of the crash scene. PTSD can interfere with a person’s thoughts and awareness.

Another of the emotional consequences of a DUI involves being branded a criminal. In the time it takes for someone to be pulled over and arrested, they have gone from viewing themselves as an upstanding member of society to a common criminal. When you get handcuffed, put in the back of a cop car, taken to the police station, have fingerprints and mug shots taken, and put in a cell, it can be devastating emotionally.

Consequences of a DUI: Relationship

You can also experience relationship consequences of a DUI. Most people who are convicted of a DUI don’t even realize that their actions can negatively affect their relationships with other people. Loved ones may feel betrayed, disappointed, worried, or sad.

http://www.myduiattorney.org/dui-tips/emotional-impact-of-dui.html

http://www.wedodui.com/FAQ/Consequences-of-a-DUI.aspx

http://www.duifoundation.org/support/emotional/

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

More women are drinking and driving

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More women are drinking and driving

More women are drinking and driving

Traditionally, men have been seen as the riskier gender when it comes to car insurance. However, a disturbing new trend shows that DUI rates among men are rising while among women they are rising rapidly. Men are still more likely to get a DUI but new research shows that more and more women are drinking and driving.

More women are drinking and driving: A growing trend

Researchers recently convened in Washington to present evidence that drinking and driving is a growing problem among women. DUI arrests among women have increased almost 30% from 1998 to 2007, according to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation.

More women are drinking and driving: What is the cause?

Many experts have hypothesized the reason that more women are drinking and driving. Binge drinking (consuming more than four drinks in a sitting for women and five for men) rates are also rising for women. Some think that today’s women have to deal with more stress than their predecessors. More equality in the workplace combined with the same amount of home life duties may be causing more women to turn to alcohol. Because of the recession, women’s incomes have become more important because so many men have lost their jobs. Meanwhile, women are still responsible for most of the child-rearing responsibilities.

In addition, there are more female drivers on the roads today. In fact, female drivers outnumber male drivers. So part of the cause may just be that more women are drinking and driving because more women are driving.

Another theory points to the increase in the female-directed marketing campaigns for marketing.

In addition, women may not realize that alcohol tends have a greater effect than it does on men. The same number of drinks may put a woman over the legal limit while the man is still able to drive.

More women are drinking and driving: Who’s at risk?

Studies show that women who drink and drive tend to share similar characteristics. They tend to be unmarried and have less steady employment compared to men who drink and drive. Women who drink and drive were also more likely to have a primary problem with drugs like cocaine and/or a psychological problem like depression and bipolar disorder. Also, young women wanting to fit in, young mothers after the birth of a baby, and empty nesters drink and drive more often.

Women are also more likely to have children in the car, so more women drinking and driving also means more children at risk of fatal car accidents.

More women are drinking and driving: Getting help

Unfortunately women with drinking problems are much less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. Unlike men, women tend to drink alone and at home, which enables them to hide a problem from friends and family. When women do seek treatment, it is usually after something catastrophic has already happened. Women also tend to have most of the responsibility in raising children, so they are less likely to be able to go to inpatient treatment centers.

Sources:

http://healthland.time.com/2013/01/24/why-women-drink-and-drive/

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32321637/ns/health-addictions/t/women-drinking-more-duis-experts-say/

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

DUI Facts

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Oh that dreaded acronym! DUI, or driving under the influence, could cost you $5,000 or more in fines and court fees by the time it’s all said and done, not to mention jail time. The simple solution is to not drink and drive, ever. However there are a host of myths and urban legends surrounding DUI’s. We want to help sort out fact from fiction. So hear they are, DUI Facts.

DUI Facts

1.) Sucking on a penny will help you pass a breathalyzer: DUI Fiction! This rumor has been around for decades, and it’s a total myth. Putting a penny in your mouth will not lower your BAC (blood alcohol content) in the slightest. Don’t even bother.

2.) Most people who get DUI’s are repeat offenders: DUI Fact! People who get a DUI have driven under the influence 80 times before they get caught. 80 TIMES! Even after they get caught, ½ of DUI offenders continue to drive on a suspended license. Talk about pushing your luck!

3.) Field sobriety tests are an accurate way to identify drunk drivers: DUI Fiction! A study by Clemson University has recently revealed that officers using field sobriety tests only accurately identify drunk drivers about 50% of the time!

4.) The problem of drunk driving is getting worse: DUI Fiction! Actually, the number of people who get DUI’s has gone down in recent years. Drunk driving fatalities have decreased by almost 65% since we first started recording them in the 80’s.

5.) Evan if a man and woman consume the same amount of alcohol, the woman will have a higher BAC: DUI Fact! Men generally weigh more than woman, so they can drink the same amount and have a lower BAC. To reach a BAC level of .08 g/dL, a man weighing approximately 170 pounds would need to consume four standard drinks in one hour on an empty stomach. A woman weighing about 140 pounds would need to consume three drinks in one hour.

6.) If you get a DUI, you are an alcoholic: DUI Fiction! Not all, or even most people who get DUI’s are alcoholics, but some of them are. Alcoholism is determined by the compulsive need to drink despite negative consequences. So if someone keeps drinking heavily, even after a DUI, they may be an alcoholic.

7.) Time is the only way to lower your BAC: DUI Fact! Many people think that drinking coffee or eating food can sober you up after you’ve been drinking. The truth is, caffeine does nothing to lower your blood alcohol content, and eating food after you have been drinking does not help you metabolize it more quickly. Time is the only way to sober up. It takes about one hour for every drink you’ve consumed.

8.) Breathalyzers are always accurate: DUI Fiction! The reading on a breathalyzer can vary up to 0.01 g/dl in any direction. Breathalyzers actually don’t measure blood alcohol content directly, they measure the alcohol on your breath and attempt to estimate your BAC. Only a blood test can give a truly accurate reading of blood alcohol level.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.