Tips for Straightening Out Your Life Following a DWI Arrest

woman sad staring at glass of alcohol

Being arrested for a DWI in New York or anywhere else is one of the worst situations you can face. It’s only natural to feel like you’ve let everyone, including yourself, down. You may feel like a failure. However, not all hope is lost. There are several ways you can straighten out your life after facing a DWI arrest.

Look to Friends and Family for Support

People are often surprised when they learn that a family member or friend has an addiction problem. However, even if those close to you are angry that you have been arrested for a DWI, they still have that relationship with you and are glad you haven’t been seriously injured or killed. This is especially true for your family.

You can always lean on your family members for support after such a serious situation. Sit down and talk with them. It will give you the opportunity to air everything out in the open and give them the chance to respond. If you stick together after your arrest, it can help make things easier for you and them.

Find a Support Group

In addition to finding support from the people closest to you, it’s also wise to find a support group like AA to attend. Support groups are an important part of taking those next positive steps forward to move on with your life.

They allow you to get together with others who are in the same situation and offer insight and support to one another. Even if you don’t go to AA, there are other support groups you can join.

Get Counseling

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be ordered to go to counseling sessions with a therapist. Even if you haven’t been ordered by a judge to attend counseling, it’s still a good way to move forward with your life.

You can discuss all of your issues with a therapist who can help you to gain perspective. Therapy is often very helpful and can improve your life in many areas.

Consider Entering Rehab

If you have an actual drinking problem, and your DWI didn’t simply stem from an isolated incident, you should seriously consider entering rehab. Addiction is a very real disease that can take control of your life and cripple it.

Although rehab might seem like a drastic step, it’s often one that is very necessary. Discuss this matter with family and friends. At the end of the day, however, whether you enter rehab is up to you.

Get Some New Hobbies

Getting new hobbies is a great way to pass the time. It can stimulate your mind and prevent you from drinking if that was a fun way for you to pass the time. The sky’s the limit when it comes to learning a new hobby.

You can join your local gym or recreation center, take up a craft, join a bowling league, or learn how to play a musical instrument you’ve always enjoyed. Any activity you choose can serve as a healthy new habit that can help you avoid drinking.

Evaluate Your Friends and Social Situations

Sometimes, it’s wise to examine the situation that ultimately led to your DWI arrest. What did it take for you to get to that place? It might be time to evaluate your friends and social situations.

If you have certain friends that you only spend time drinking with, now is a good time to cut them out of your life. You don’t want or need anyone or anything toxic to drag you down. If you can’t bear to lose some of these friends, you might want to try doing something new with them instead. An activity that doesn’t involve drinking alcohol would be ideal.

Apologize and Accept the Situation

After a problem as huge as being arrested for a DWI, one of the first things you should do is apologize. Tell your family you are truly sorry, acknowledge that you screwed up, and promise that you will do better from now on. However, you can’t merely say it; you have to truly mean it.

You should also forgive yourself and then move on. Accept the situation because you can’t change the fact that you were arrested on DWI charges. You can look forward to the future and do better.

Hire an Attorney

Finally, you should hire a criminal defense attorney who can represent you in your DWI case. You want a professional who knows all the ins and outs of the law. Now is not the time to represent yourself in your case. The best possible outcome can only occur if you have a savvy lawyer on your side. It’s not worth making things more difficult for yourself.

If you were arrested in New York state on DWI charges, contact the Law Office of Eric K. Schillinger (518) 413-0889 at your earliest convenience.

Categories: 
Related Posts
  • Can a DWI Prevent Me From Getting a Job? Read More
  • So, You Got a DWI in New York, Now What? Read More
/