If you’ve never been convicted of DUI, you may never know some of the psychological impacts it has on the defaulter. If you have been pulled over for a DUI, you’re likely to go through some emotional issues that might affect your overall well being.
Here are a few of these psychological impacts after been charged for a DUI.
- Denial And Shock
A DUI arrest may lead to a complete shock and, worse, denial that the incident happened. This state of shock can last for hours, days, or even weeks. These feelings often intensify if the individual has never been arrested before.
The best way to handle this situation is to breathe and assure yourself that you can get out of the problem. Being charged with a DUI isn’t the end, as a lawyer can help mitigate the repercussion.
- Guilt And Pain
After feelings of denial and shock, the next feeling to the surface is often guilt and pain. You might start blaming yourself for things you could have done or shouldn’t have done. In that process, the pain of the situation becomes unbearable.
Although you might feel pain and responsible for the incident, take note that you’ll survive this and eventually move on with your life. It doesn’t have to eat you up, as that is often worse than any court sentence.
- Anger
Another psychological impact following a DUI charge or arrest is anger. Typically, anger at the police officer that pulled you over, and it might even be worse if the statement isn’t as you remember it.
Other times, you could feel anger toward a friend or relative that allowed you to drive drunk or didn’t offer to give you a ride or a place to crash. No matter how overwhelming it may be, try to avoid feeling angry, as you’ll be making your situation worse by such action.
- Depression
Unless you hired a great DUI lawyer, the consequences of driving under the influence could be massive. It could affect your driving license, job, or even lead you to jail.
Due to this unpleasantness, you’re most likely to be depressed and to withdraw from people. It might be easy to say, but it is in your best interest if you can forge ahead through life and stop worrying about a mistake you made days, weeks, or months ago.
- Reconstruction And Acceptance
It is the final stage and could take weeks, months, or even years for most individuals. The reconstruction phase is where your depression and pain subside as you seek ways to walk through your pain and move on with your life.
While the acceptance stage is you finally accepting your DUI arrest’s reality as you move on with your life. The time frame for these stages differs from individual to individual, and sometimes a therapist might help you move on faster.
If you were arrested for a DUI, please ensure you hire a reputable DUI attorney who can represent you and guide you on things to do. Who knows, your attorney might discover a loophole and win the case in your favor.
For help with your DUI or traffic case, please contact our office. With over 75 years of combined legal experience, Attorneys David B. Franks, David N. Rechenberg and James H. Andrle have helped regular people overcome extraordinary obstacles.