As a counselor both in class on online alcohol awareness classes I always like to hear from my former students. Of course one of my favorite things to hear is about their success. I just received an email from “Tom”, a 22-year-old college student and waiter.
Tom had received two minor in possession (MIP) violations in high school and was arrested and convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) on his 21st birthday. Admittedly, Tom has a drinking problem, and continues to drink regularly. Before taking my course Tom had no qualms about driving after consuming alcohol. He claimed to have done it hundreds of times and it was just unlucky that he got caught.
Of course his blood-alcohol concentration was .22%, almost three times the legal limit. I had told him it may have actually been lucky for him to have gotten caught, and that he was lucky he had not been caught before or even worse hurt himself or someone else.
Back to the point of the story – Tom went out with his girlfriend last night and they took a cab home! This is the first time he ever had made the right decision about drinking and driving. He credited a video I show in my course about how a drunken driver changed the lives of three young women.
While he continues to drink, he has promised himself and his girlfriend that he will not drink and drive. I hope he succeeds. If you or anyone you know has a drinking problem, please seek help immediately. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity, there are online alcohol classes.