If you have received an SR-22 order from the court or your state’s DMV due to a DUI conviction, you may have dealt with the following problems:
- Increased auto insurance premiums
- Strict insurance requirements
- Additional legal problems associated with a DUI
If you are required to file an SR-22, it’s just one more expensive consequence for getting caught driving while under the influence. But it may be a sign that you have a problem. The first step toward fixing these problems is to control your drinking.
Do I Have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
Alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder, affects more than 14 million people in the United States alone.
If you have received an SR-22 for an alcohol-related driving incident, you may have challenges regulating your intake of alcohol.
Other signs that you may have AUD include:
- Drinking more than you planned
- Inability to stop drinking for long periods of time
- Experiencing cravings for alcohol
- Allowing alcohol intake to affect your responsibilities
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking
A medical professional can help determine if AUD applies to you.
What Are My Options After a DUI?
Controlling your drinking involves a multi-step process that addresses both the psychological and physiological aspects of the disorder.
Five AUD treatments include:
- Behavioral therapy
- Pharmacological therapy
- Mutual assistance organizations
- Primary care doctor appointments
- Specialized medical care from a psychiatrist
Completing these treatments may help to prevent further SR-22 restrictions in your state.
5 Ways to Control Your Drinking After a DUI
1. Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral treatments encompass many types of approaches, including:
- Interventions: These therapies function as “wake-up calls” for those who need realizable goals to stop drinking.
- Family counseling: By incorporating family members into the treatment plan, therapists can help affected individuals strengthen bonds and reduce their alcohol intake.
- Motivational enhancement: This technique involves a short-term therapy process that helps those with AUD strengthen their motivation to regulate – or stop – their drinking.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This therapy incorporates methods that help individuals change their thought patterns around alcohol. It also targets stress and other “activators” of alcohol intake.
If you have received a DUI in your state, you may also qualify for additional state-required counseling.
2. Pharmacological Treatment
The FDA has approved the following drugs to help people with AUD recover from the disorder:
- Naltrexone: This drug can help reduce your drinking, particularly in cases of heavy drinking.
- Acamprosate: This drug helps reduce symptoms of alcohol withdrawal by stabilizing the signaling mechanisms in the brain that cause it.
- Disulfiram: This drug prevents your body from metabolizing alcohol. This effect then causes nausea, headaches, and other physical symptoms. Many people with AUD use this drug to dissuade themselves from drinking.
Both general practitioners and psychiatrists can prescribe these medications. Addiction specialists may prescribe these medications as well.
3. Mutual Assistance Organizations
The most popular mutual support organization, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), offers many programs to help individuals with AUD recover from their addiction. The belief is that those who suffer from alcoholism are in the best position to understand and help others with the same affliction.
Other mutual support groups may exist in your local area. Where applicable, a DUI attorney may also be able to point you in the right direction.
4. Schedule an Appointment with Your Primary Care Physician
You should consider scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP).
Your PCP can conduct a full examination to rule out other causes of your alcohol use and provide a starting treatment plan or referral to another physician for laying out a strategy that will help you move forward.
Some individuals with AUD may have or develop liver disease, so a PCP visit can help start the treatment process for this condition as well.
5. Psychiatry and Other Medical Practitioners
Psychiatrists have either an MD or DO degree and can prescribe medications to individuals who have AUD. These specialists focus on providing medications and behavioral treatments.
One type of psychiatrist who specializes in AUD, an addiction specialist, can provide additional medical services that support addiction treatment.
The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry maintains a list of addiction psychiatrists organized by state. This database also contains contact information for associated physicians.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also maintains a database of treatment facilities. You can access the treatment services database here.
Your primary care physician may also have the ability to refer you to a dedicated addiction psychiatrist who specializes in AUD. Consider also reaching out to your insurance provider for a list of physicians who specialize in this practice area.
Find Cheap SR-22 Auto Insurance Quotes
How to Find Control After a DUI
Following these five steps can help you regain control over yourself and provide a framework for living life in a healthy, positive way. Turning to friends and family for help can also provide a source of support as you work toward your new life.
The first step involves taking action. Whether moving forward starts with your family or your doctor, taking this first step will put you on the road to addressing your alcohol intake.
While there are free resources, some of these options cost money. You may also find ways to save money on SR-22 insurance.
The Costs of SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 insurance can add a steep expense to your monthly budget. In many states, SR-22 insurance can boost auto insurance premiums as high as $5,000.
By taking control of your drinking and developing the ability to regulate your alcohol intake, you can take the first step toward eliminating this strain on your monthly budget. Meanwhile, you can do some research to find affordable SR-22 insurance.
Get Started Today to a Better Life and Affordable Vehicle Coverage
After a DUI conviction, you may feel like your life is over. The repercussions are harsh – and expensive. But you can take this experience as a wakeup call to put some plans in place for a healthier – and smarter – future.
At SR-22 Adviser, we can help you find insurance you can afford. Just fill out a simple form with our partner to get a quote for coverage today.