I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

[garden girl]

I dont think anyone can help but maybe this will be a warning to everyone of thE
true consequences of drinking. Last night I was arrested for drink driving, I was 4 times over the limit. Its a poor excuse to say that for those who know me I have been trying so hard to beat this problem, and was in the process of being on day 5, which I have not got to before for a long time, when all hell broke lose in my head. I had felt tense all day, and gave in to two glasses of wine followed by vodka. I drank it really quick because I knew I shouldnt have been but then my head seemed to burst and I ended up driving to the village where my ex husband lived. I have not seen him for 15 years and when I was with him he hurt me physically, once breaking my nose when he head butted me. I never brought charges for all the times he hurt me and for 15 years I have wanted to confront him and get him to admit what he did. How stupid, I did confront him but in a drunken way, I then got in the car and drove home where two plicemen were waiting for me. They breatherlized me and took me off to the station where I was in such a panic that I blacked out and fell cracking my head very badley on the floor. I was then taken to hospital where they did a cat scan as they thougt my head was bleeding internally, fortunately it wasnt. They took blood tests at 3.00am for the police who then went home and allowed me to go home with my husband. I am no more scared than I have ever been in my life, FOr my children, my husband and me, I know I will get a ban but depending on how high the blood tests read there is apossibility I could go to jail. I am so frightened I have been trying so hard and yet what went wrong last night, what have I done to my family, I am so ashamed and so scared, I will lose my job, my children cannot get to school and why because of this problem, Just when I thought my life was starting over, just when I was starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel I make a stupid mistake and one for which not only me but my family will pay for. I am so scared but I dont think any of you can help, I just want to share this as showing just how real the consequences of our drinking can be. I have to wait for6 weeks now for the results when I will be charged please god help me and let it just be a ban. I have never done anything wrong in my life and never been in trouble with the police. Thanks for listeneing GG XX

[irishguy1949]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

GG,

What happened last night is past and there's nothing you can do except learn from it. We'll hope for the best for you. Someone once sent me this which I love and read all the time. The key is to now look ahead.

Irish

" This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be something good." (Author unknown)

[Mags]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

Dear GG

I am so sorry to hear this. I'm going to be honest - this is bad news and I know you feel so sick in the pit of your stomach right now. Only by the grace of God did I never get arrested in my drinking days, but I have had family members who did. I know how hard you have worked to overcome this demon and this is not what you need right now.

I do have some experience with this through family members and although I live in the US where the legal system is a little different, I think my advice is still good - get a good attorney right away. Get one who specializes in this area and who knows the local DA or magistrate or judge or whatever in the jurisdiction in which you are being charged. If this is your first offense, a good attorney will plea bargain, get the charges knocked down, and you will not do jail time. You may lose your license for a while, but that you can live with. You do not want a felony offense on your record - a misdemeanor at the worst. I know it is a huge emotional issue right now, but take control and think of it as a legal issue now and one that you can handle. That is your first priority. Take control right now. Start looking for attorney right now. Ask for referrals, interview several of them - pick the best one. It will cost some money but will be well worth it in the long run.

I know how terribly stupid and frightened you must feel. I went through this with a close family member. But take charge and do all you can for yourself. Do not feel helpless and at the mercy of the court.

:h :h :h :h

[Cinders]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

Dear GG,

Mags is very right. I, too, know a lot about DUIs. Both of my children got them.

In every case, you actually end up spending less money over the long run if you get a good attorney than if you try to handle it yourself. A good attorney will get a first offense plea bargained down and your insurance, etc, will not be as impacted.

I am sorry this happened. :l

I am grateful you did not get seriously injured and hope that this may be the thing that gets you going AF.

Take care and my thoughts and prayers are with you,
Cindi

[CaptJBean]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

GG
I don't know how it works in the UK... but... go to SMART Recovery online. I think they might be able to give you some direction.
They have others that are in the system for drug and alcohol abuse and have to check in on online meetings as a part of their court ordered recovery. Get ahold of a counselor there... It's a part of the Albert Ellis Inst. also REBT. They won't get you off... But, they may be able to provide information and knowledge that you can take with you to any legal proceedings or options. I don't know.
In addition, turn this over to God or a higher power. What you are feeling is normal. And, you are no doubt coming down from the sugar high of the alcohol. You will survive this and hopefully be able to help others.
I always like to think of crazy things too... like...
get my passport and flee the country
take solice in a church
get plastic surgery and change my identity
become lindsy lohan... oh no, that won't work...

The bottom line is... it doesn't matter what your ex did to you... you did this to you!!! You're continuing the abuse and the excuse to abuse yourself with alcohol and trying to kid yourself that you have a reason...

Please go to the REBT site and work on one of the Cognitive therapy sheets. It might help you understand where your thinking has started leading you astray so you could allow yourself to drink.

Believe me... I know every excuse in the book. And, so far, by the grace of God, I haven't been stopped.

[Guest]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

GG,
Am so very sorry for what has happened to you.
Please don`t work yourself into any more of a state then you`re already in over this. You need to calm yourself down and consider all possibilities here.

You know you did wrong by driving under the influence........you also know you`ll never do this again, so stop beating yourself up over it........fortunately you didn`t injure anyone or yourself, other than knocking your head. What`s done is done and can`t be undone, so now you have to pull out all the stops to redeem the situation.

First of all, I think you should consult your G.P. to get yourself involved with an alcohol treatment programme........I know you were previously seeing a counsellor, but can`t recall if you said you were registered with an actual alcohol treatment programme???........you need this........it will help you get off the drink and hopefully will go a long way as regards a judge showing you leniency if your case does actually go to court.........he will see that you are taking positive steps to address your drink problem.

Secondly, you must get yourself a decent lawyer.......one who specialises in drink driving offences........try to go to someone others recommend for this........you need the best lawyer here to get you off with a ban. Please don`t be afraid........the fact that you have no criminal record is very much in your favour........I very much doubt any judge would jail you for a first offence.

Will keep you and your family in my prayers. Please let us know how you are faring.

All my love,

Starlight Impress x

[aliame]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

Am just so sorry. Feel for you. All love
Pipsqueak

[memarcie]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

gg - i replied in general, but with the same comments as starlight impress, try to get in a rehab treatment of some type before court. That may help you. You may want to merge these threads together, kinda confusing to have two different ones going at the same time.

Best of luck to you

[KateH1]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

Dear Garden Girl,

There is some good news and that is that you did not physicaly injure yourself or anyone else. There was no accident. I am not taking away from the serious nature of this event, but it could have been far worse.

I have no idea what drunk driving laws are like in the UK, but talking with a lawyer who specializes in these cases is definitely the right thing for you to do and do it right away.

Also get back on the AF track. You will handle this much better sober than you will hungover or drunk.

Take care of yourself and stay close to those that love you.
KateH

[Chief]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

GG, What a mess! But it could be much worse, you could have hurt or killed someone. Thank God you didn't because that you could not get over. This, you can. If this isn't a wakeup call I don't know what is.
Take the high road, girl. Own up to your mistake and vow to never drink again. Actions speak louder than words, so it's time to act. Get back on this MWO program and do whatever you have to to minimize the damage.
I know you are devastated by your actions but do not allow The Beast to take control. You have to take control and never give it up. You can do this. You didn't hurt anyone but yourself. Start right now showing yourself and everyone else that this was just a stupid mistake and not a sign of things to come.
We're with you 100%. Post as often as you need to, we'll be here...

Don

[CaptJBean]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

I am sending a little guardian angel who will come and sprinkle angel dust all over your pillow so you will have sweet dreams. When you wake in the morning you will feel much more rested. You will think clearer. Just remember... with God... all things are possible!!!

[Flip]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

You are lucky. You've just had a warning of what can happen if you keep drinking. AND you haven't killed anyone - this time. Imagine your poor kids if you were in jail for killing someone while driving drunk.

Time to take the hint and get sober girlfriend! I can't think of much better motivation. It CAN be done - you CAN do it. Just one day at a time.

(check out my signature line)

[fickle]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

Dear GG,

I agree with those above who advise to calm down and think logically of it as a legal issue. The laws here may be different, but straight up I can see there are positive things on your side: you said you have never been in trouble with the police before, you need your license for your kids & your job.

Get a good lawyer, talk to your Doctor, get yourself into rehab and also ask for a referral to a psych/counsellor to talk over your past abusive relationship. You can explain to the court that you were on a program to quit drinking when traumatic memories came up and caused your irrational behaviour. I think a good lawyer can claim 1- this has never happened before, 2- it will never happen again, 3- you are a good citizen, parent, 4- you are taking this seriously and have committed to rehab, 5- you are taking steps to deal with the anger/negative feelings over your past abuse, 6- you have the love and support of your family. Also, you can approach anyone in your community who can vouch for your good character such as a Minister of your church, your employer, to give written character reference to the court and reinforce their faith in you and your need to keep your license.

I have had abusive relationships in the past and believe me, the last person who can help you is your abuser. Turn to a women's domestic violence support line for ideas for a counsellor or qualified psychologist with suitable experience. You can then ask your doc for a referral.

I hope some of these suggestions are helpful, as i said the laws here are different, but things may be OK. This may just be the wake-up call that you need.

Sometimes when we stop drinking scary thoughts/memories we have 'pushed down' can come up for us. If you can ask your husband to support you and get that experienced counsellor then you may find ways to deal with the anger next time it comes up.

Sending you loads of love & support.
XXX

[garden girl]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

Thankyou all so much for your kind words and advice, its been a difficult 48 hours, having to tell children, mum etc. But it has not waivered my commitment to continue as I have done to beat this problem 6 days out of 7 af, just wish the one day I did drink didnt end up as it did, but that is the real consequence of drinking. So I will face it head on and keep you posted of the outcome. Thankyou all again GGXXX

[bloggy]

I WAS ARRESTED LAST NIGHT

A friend of mine was happily driving down a one way street while completely pissed here in Spain. The police stopped her to point out it was a one way street- then saw something was very wrong and opened the car door. She fell out sideways onto the road.

You did not do that (at least) but there is a happy ending to her tale- she obviously ended up in court etc, but before that she sought the appropriate help, and got it (difficult here in Spain, but having a legal hearing helps tremendously) and she has now been AF for 10 years.

Sometimes bad situations turn out to be blessings in disguise!