Alcohol addiction is steadily on the rise in the state of Georgia; thus the need for quality alcohol rehabilitation in the state has never been more necessary. There are so many choices for alcohol rehab in Georgia that sometimes just choosing the right type of alcohol treatment center can appear to be a daunting task. First, there are so many different kinds of alcohol treatment programs in Georgia, which can include inpatient, outpatient, long term, and short term treatment, just to name a select few. Because every person is unique, a Georgia alcohol rehab facility will be most effective when the rehabilitation process includes components that specifically address the personal needs of each individual.

Sometimes an individual from Georgia will choose to attend an outpatient alcohol treatment center, which will allow them to attend alcohol recovery courses and to still be able to meet their obligations at home; it is important to note that not everyone can thrive with this moderate level of treatment. Another alcohol treatment option in Georgia is residential inpatient alcohol rehabilitation, which allows the individual to be able to reside at the treatment facility where they can focus solely on their alcohol rehabilitation program.

The first step in a quality alcohol rehab center in Georgia is the alcohol detoxification and with detoxification can come mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. It is extremely important that an individual from Georgia that has completed detox follows up this treatment process with a complete and comprehensive alcohol rehabilitation program that includes counseling or group classes, relapse prevention education and follow up care. The primary goal of any quality alcohol rehab should be to enable the individual from Georgia to be able to successfully achieve a state of lasting abstinence.

The main goal in treating drug or alcohol addiction should always be the same; to help the addict come to a place where they can choose sobriety over drug or alcohol addiction. Getting to that goal may be accomplished in different ways depending on the treatment methods that are utilized in treating drug and alcohol addiction. Because every person is unique, a Georgia alcohol rehabilitation program that will be most effective when the alcohol treatment includes components that specifically address the personal needs of each individual.

Georgia alcohol related information and statistics are provided by the US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004. In Georgia, although the total number of traffic fatalities has actually increased over the years, the percentage of drunk driving fatalities has slowly declined. The actual number of alcohol related fatalities has declined also, after peaking in 1986 at 803. In 2008, out of all traffic fatalities, 28% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

As of today, all 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a Georgia police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.) The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.

The table below shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Georgia, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+). It is important to note that the Georgia drunk driving statistics, as shown below, include data from individuals in Georgia who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or pedalcyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2003-2004, Office of Applied Studies 2003-2004 and the MADD Official Website statistics 2004

When is a driver considered to be legally drunk in Georgia?

• Non-commercial drivers in Georgia age 21+ are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.
• Drivers of commercial vehicles in Georgia are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .04 percent or greater. In Georgia, school bus drivers are commercial drivers.
• Drivers under 21 in Georgia are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .20 or more.

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Georgia

• First-time offenders in Georgia face a term of imprisonment of 10 days to 12 months. They must also pay a fine ranging from $300 to $1,000. Additionally, first-time offenders must perform at least 40 hours of community service work and complete a Georgia DUI program. The driver's license revocation period is 12 months. At the end of 120 days, the offender may apply for reinstatement.
• For a second conviction within a five-year period in Georgia, the prison term is 90 days to 12 months, and the fine is between $600 and $1,000. These offenders must also perform at least 30 days of community service work, complete a Georgia DUI program, and undergo a clinical evaluation. A probationary period of 12 months (less days served) is also required. The driver's license revocation period is three years. At the end of 18 months, the offender may apply for reinstatement.
• For a third or subsequent conviction within a five-year period in Georgia, the prison term is 120 days to 12 months, and the fine is between $1,000 and $5,000. These offenders must also perform at least 30 days of community service work, complete a Georgia DUI program, and undergo a clinical evaluation. A probationary period of 12 months (less days served) is also required. A person who commits a third offense will be declared a "habitual violator" in Georgia. When a habitual violator is arrested and charged with DUI in Georgia, the offender's vehicle is subject to forfeiture. Additionally, the offender's driver's license will be revoked. At the end of five years, the offender may apply for reinstatement.

Additional Penalties in Georgia for DUI While Transporting a Child Under 14

A person in Georgia who commits a DUI while transporting a child under 14 is guilty of the separate offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence. First and second-time violators of this law are subject to up to 12 months in prison, payment of a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Those in Georgia who commit a third or subsequent offense are subject to one to three years in prison, payment of a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or both.

Ignition Interlock

A person in Georgia who is convicted of a second or subsequent DUI within a five-year period is required to use an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation for six months. This six-month period begins after expiration of the driver's license revocation period. At the end of six months, the offender may apply for full reinstatement of driving privileges.

Commercial Drivers

In addition to other penalties that may apply under Georgia's DUI laws, a person who holds a commercial driver's license and is convicted of DUI for the first time in Georgia will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for at least one year. If, however, the driver was transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification period is at least three years. A commercial driver who commits a second DUI while driving any vehicle will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for life, which may or may not be reduced to a period of not less than 10 years.

School Bus Drivers

In addition to other penalties that may apply, a school bus driver who is convicted of DUI while driving a school bus in Georgia is subject to a term of imprisonment of one to three years, payment of a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or both.

Drivers Under 21

Generally, drivers under 21 who are convicted of DUI in Georgia face the same penalties as adult offenders. Underage offenders may, however, be permitted to serve any prison term imposed on weekends in a county jail. Additionally, any period of community service work imposed must be completed within 60 day of sentencing. Finally, if the minor offender's BAC was under .08, the driver's license suspension period is at least six months. If the offender's BAC was .08 or greater, the suspension period is at least one year.

What is Georgia's Dram Shop Act?

Under Georgia's Dram Shop Act, a licensed drinking establishment may be liable for injuries caused by an intoxicated person in two circumstances. The first is where the Georgia drinking establishment served alcohol to an underage person with knowledge that the person was underage and with knowledge that the person would soon be driving. The second circumstance is where the Georgia drinking establishment served alcohol to a noticeably intoxicated person with knowledge that that person would soon be driving. Under Georgia law, those who buy and drink alcohol are not permitted to recover damages from a drinking establishment if they injure themselves as a result of their own intoxication.

What is Georgia's "Furnishing Alcoholic Beverages to Minor Children" Statute?

Under this statute, parents have a right of action against any person who sells or gives their child alcohol without the parents' permission. Georgia's Dram Shop Act does not preclude this cause of action, so long as the damages sought are for injury to peace, happiness, or feelings.

Criminal Penalties in Georgia for Furnishing Alcohol to a Person Under 21

Under Georgia law, any person who furnishes alcohol to a minor is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to one year, payment of a fine of up to $1,000, or both.