Denver Colorado DUI Prevention

Alcohol Abuse and Getting Help:

Alcohol abuse can be influenced by a number of factors. Most people use alcohol socially to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. They use alcohol for the perceived benefits, or the benefits experienced, not for the potential harm. People use alcohol to relax, have fun, to be part of a group, out of curiosity, and to escape from physical and/or psychological pain. Many of the reasons young people use alcohol are the same reasons adults use alcohol.

What causes alcohol abuse? Many factors influence a person's initial alcohol use. Personality characteristics, peer pressure, and psychological stress can all contribute to the early stage of alcohol abuse. These factors are less important as alcohol use continues and the person repeatedly experiences the potent pharmacological effects.

This chemical action, which stimulates certain brain systems, produces the abuse, while other psychological and social factors become less and less important in influencing the individual's behavior. When the pharmacological action of a drug dominates the individual's behavior and the normal psychological and social control of behavior is no longer effective, the abuse is fully developed. This chemically induced "loss of control" is a common feature of alcohol abuse and reflects the biological nature of the problem. People who are physically dependent on alcohol usually develop a tolerance. This means that they need to drink more and more to get the same effect.

School and job performance may suffer either from the aftereffects of drinking or from actual intoxication on the job or at school; child care or household responsibilities may be neglected; and alcohol-related absences may occur from school or job. The person may use alcohol in physically hazardous circumstances (e.g., driving an automobile or operating machinery while drunk).

Legal difficulties may arise because of alcohol use (e.g., arrests for intoxicated behavior or for driving under the influence). Finally, individuals with alcohol abuse problems may continue to consume alcohol despite the knowledge that continued consumption poses significant social or interpersonal problems for them (e.g., violent arguments with spouse while intoxicated, child abuse). When these problems are accompanied by evidence of tolerance, withdrawal, or compulsive behavior related to alcohol use, a diagnosis of alcohol addiction, rather than alcohol abuse, should be considered.

Colorado MADD-Mothers Against Drunk Driving

MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. We have formally embraced the prevention of underage drinking because of the extent of this terrible problem and its impact on drunk driving.

Alcohol is the No. 1 drug problem facing our nation's youth-killing 6.5 times more young people than all other illicit drugs combined. In the next five to 10 years, the U.S. will see a large influx of new drivers as children of Baby Boom parents reach driving age. Without efforts to prevent underage drinking, there could be an increase in the number of drunk driving deaths and injuries among these inexperienced drivers.

Additionally, research shows that the longer children's use of alcohol can be delayed, the less likely they are to become lifetime problem drinkers (and drunk drivers).

MADD also helped pass the federal 21 minimum drinking age and zero tolerance laws across the country. Formally embracing the prevention of underage drinking only strengthens MADD's commitment to youth. We will continue to partner with safety experts, educators, law enforcement, policymakers, parents and youth themselves to tackle underage drinking. Our nation's youth are tomorrow's leaders and we are investing in their future and ours.

To learn more about MADD, visit the MADD website: www.madd.org

Colorado SADD-Students Agains Destructive Decisions

SADD's mission simply stated:
To provide students with the best prevention and intervention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.

Originally, the mission of the SADD chapter was to help young people say "No" to drinking and driving. Today, the mission has expanded. Students have told us that positive peer pressure, role models and other strategies can help them say "No" to more than drinking and driving. And that is why SADD has become a peer leadership organization dedicated to preventing destructive decisions, particularly underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, teen violence and teen depression and suicide.

SADD does not support or condone the use of alcohol by underage young people. The purchase and public possession of alcoholic beverages by anyone under the age of 21 is illegal in all 50 states.

Alcohol alters an individual's vision, reaction times, perception of distance, and judgment of one's abilities. For adolescents, whose brains are still developing in critical ways, alcohol use makes them more vulnerable to learning and memory impairments. The use of alcohol is frequently coupled with risky and potentially destructive behaviors such as physical and emotional violence, rude or thoughtless remarks or actions, sexual mistakes or misjudgments, sexual assaults, and suicide acts and attempts.

SADD believes that young people can have fun, enjoy life and nurture positive personal relationships without the distraction and distortion of alcohol. SADD seeks to demonstrate positive and attractive alternatives to alcohol and other drug-infused activities for teenagers.

Learn More About SADD and How they can Help visit their website: www.sadd.org

Colorado Alcohol Addiction and Substance Abuse Center

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University is the only national organization, which brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat abuse of all substances - alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, performance enhancing drugs - in all sectors of society.

Founded in 1992 by former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA has assembled an interdisciplinary staff of more than 70 professionals, including four lawyers, 16 Doctorates, and 14 individuals with Master's degrees. Their experience and expertise are in the fields of substance abuse and addiction, communications, criminology, education, epidemiology, government, journalism, law, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, social work, sociology and statistics.

For more information about CASA, visit the CASA website: www.casacolumbia.org

Search for Licensed Treatment Centers here.

No DUI Denver

We all know the dangers of drinking and driving. Nobody wants to do it. Nobody plans on doing it.

But when push comes to shove and you know you should call a cab- there's always the same problem - do you really want to deal with trying to get your vehicle home the next day?

We have the answer:

No DUI Denver is an "On Demand" Designated Driver Service that Drives You Home in Your Own Vehicle!

Click here for more details: No DUI Denver

Things To Know If You Get Pulled Over For A Colorado DUI/DWAI

• In many cases you only have 7 days to respond in order to preserve your rights.
• Always be courteous to the officers.
• You do not have to help the officers make a case against you.
• Field sobriety tests are voluntary.
• You have the choice of blood, breath or refusal.
• You cannot talk to an attorney before choosing.
• Refusal carries a mandatory 1 year suspension of your driving privileges.
• Roadside breath tests (PBTs) are voluntary! They cannot be used to prove guilt in court, but can be used as evidence supporting arrest.
• CO DWAI = 0.05        CO DUI = 0.08

Colorado DUI Prevention 800 Number Help Hotlines

National Women's Resource Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse and Mental Illness
1-800-354-8824

Alcohol Rehab for the Elderly
1-800-354-7089
1-800-344-0824 (in Illinois)

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Helpline and Treatment
1-800-234-0420

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Hopeline
1-800-NCA-CALL (1-800-622-2255)

Alcohol Abuse and Crisis Intervention
1-800-234-0246

Alcohol and Drug Helpline
1-800-821-4357