If you are upset at getting the second DUI rather than continuing to drive drunk, then you have learnt absolutely nothing. And NO, I do not buy the sob story that you got caught the first time you drove drunk.
You need better friends. You will never sober up if you hang out with people whose idea of a good item is to go out and drink or who celebrate things by getting drunk (likely consequence of multiple shots to celebrate).
Hey, thanks for the flaming. I do deserve it. And FYI I AM upset about making the foolish decision to drink and drive, NOT because I got 'caught' for the DUI. I have beat myself up mentally EVERY SINGLE DAY since it happened. I am getting little sleep, suffer from contant panic attacks (something I've never experienced before) and my daily anxiety is through the roof. I also mentioned in my other thread that my doctor has put me on anti-depressants and I'm also seeing a psychologist....another first for me on both counts. So yeah I'm upset with myself and it's not because of the 'trouble' I'm in. It's because I let myself down. I couldn't say 'NO' to the shots. By the time I'd had a few too many my judgement was severely impaired and I wish someone had grabbed the keys off of me. But what's done is done. I can't blame anyone else but myself.
As for your comments about hanging with the wrong crowd, I LOVE how people who are sober automatically lump those drink into the loser category.
ALL kinds of people drink, some heavily. Doctors, Pilots, POLICE OFFICERS (who are some of the worst boozers BTW), teachers.....and they do it while sitting right next to the masons, construction workers, and contractors. The problem in today's society isn't as much alcohol.....THAT is LEGAL. It's choosing to drink and drive. Or at least not making arrangements for a ride prior to drinking. And when did I say I wanted to sober up? I have thought about it....but I'd rather get more responsible with my drinking. I'd rather drink LESS. A lot less. I'd rather learn to say NO to multiple shots. I'd like to become the person who can sip on a bottle of beer and make it last for an hour. But maybe it's too late for all that. Maybe I DO need to get completely sober. However, I'll leave that up to a health care professional to decide (I am planning on seeking help and counsel on my drinking habits ON MY OWN before the courts hand down their treatment plan) and not some random person on a message board. But thanks anyway.
Two quick stories. So you think the whole world is against the drunk drivers? You believe that every person in a position of authority drops the hammer every time or looks down on the DUI driver?
1) When I was arrested, I had a friend of my father's speak to the district judge confidentially as they are close friends for many years. NOT in an attempt to get out of it, but just to see what I was looking at this time around. He told the DJ that my car had slid off the road into snow and I was arrested waiting there for a ride and trying to arrange for a tow. GUESS what the DJ said? "Why didn't he just leave the car there"?
Hmmmm. Leave the car. Should have done exactly that.
2) Close friend of mine pulled over by local police afew weeks after MY arrest. He's BLASTED. Can't even walk (his words). Four officers involved. My friend BTW is a state prison guard. He's told to get out of the vehicle and informs them that he's licensed to carry and has a gun. ALL of their weapons are then drawn. At one point he starts mouthing off to the female cop. One of the other cops finds his prison ID while searching for his license. Puts my friend in cuffs, tells him he's going downtown, and the car is getting towed. Gets to the police station, a SGT appears from an office and my friend starts asking "What are we doing here? Breath test or blood?" The SGT says if he would shut up for 10 seconds he will tell him. First he says "What are you doing, man?" My friend just shrugs shoulders. Then the SGT says "Here's what's gonna happen. You are being cited for public drunkeness. You will plead not guilty. The officer will NOT show up. Don't let this happen again." Nice, eh?
And one more bonus story for you. The first attorney I saw is also the local mayor of a decent sized town in my area. VERY well known and liked guy. He looks over the police report, notices the high BAC, and asked for details about the arrest. I expected him to say something like "Well you're just lucky somebody wasn't hurt". Nope. He shakes his head and says "You know that's just bad luck with the weather conditions an all. 9 times out of 10 you would have made it to where you were headed."
So there you have it. We live in an anti-DUI world? MADD would have you believe that.
Hey I think drinking and driving is dangerous and stupid. But even talking to the officer during my first arrest (that was in 1996 BTW....13 years ago) I explained that in a perfect world there would be enough taxis and designated drivers to handle the volume intoxicated people needing rides. But that just isn't the case. He agreed and said "That's why you just need to be careful".
That's all I have for now. I have suffered for this. I am going to continue suffering. I may lose my job. I live with the guilt every day. I suppose you're right, I did NOT learn my lesson from the first. But as God is my witness I AM going to learn from my second. And at least that's more than some people can say. Have a nice day.
