Dec
21
Does More Equal More?
In a recent radio interview I was asked to comment on the fact that Indiana was likely to make buying alcohol easier during the next legislative session. Specifically I was asked if this would lead to an increase in DUI arrests in a state that already ranks 3rd on the dubious list.
There is no doubt that access to drugs and alcohol is one factor that must be considered when evaluating for addiction. While making alcohol easier to obtain may lead to more DUIs, it is no guarantee. In evaluating this, it might be useful to look at who gets DUIs.
For the person with a substance abuse issue, access is likely LESS of an issue. This person spends significant time and energy planning so as to have a steady supply of their spirit of choice. So restricting sales on Sunday has a minimal impact on the alcoholic’s drinking. He plans ahead and is rarely caught without. The non-substance abuser doesn’t plan as carefully. So if alcohol is available earlier on Sunday in a restaurant or if it is able to be purchased as a convenience store, she may be more likely to have one to many and be arrested on the way home. Having said this, access to alcohol may in fact enable the irresponsible drinker do drink more or over a longer time than intended. This is also diagnostic and can lead to DUIs and other problems.
There is no way to know for sure what impact the legislature will have on people’s drinking or on DUI arrests. As I have written before, a single DUI is a legal problem and an issue of community concern but it not necessarily a sign of a drinking problem. From an addiction standpoint, how one responds to that DUI is a more significant factor.
If you have questions about substance use of if you need to have a substance abuse assessment following a DUI, please call us today at 877/752-8811. We stand ready to help you during this difficult time. And listen to 93.1 WIBC for information and my opinions whenever addiction is in the news.
