I Was Arrested for Drunk Driving, Should I go to AA?

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If you were arrested for drunk driving in Michigan, then you should talk to your lawyer about whether starting with a structured 12-step program such Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, may help your case. While clearly the best known, AA is not the only 12-step program, and it may not be the best option for you.

Understanding 12-Step Programs:

A 12-step program is a structured support system designed to aid individuals in overcoming addiction, fostering personal development, and maintaining sobriety. Core principles include acknowledging powerlessness over the substance, seeking guidance from a higher power (interpreted personally), making amends, and supporting others in their recovery journey.

Comparison of 12-Step Programs:

  1. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): According to their website, Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a global fellowship of individuals who come together to address their drinking problems. Membership is open to anyone who wants to overcome alcoholism, with no age or education requirements and no costs to attend meetings. A.A. members follow the Twelve Steps for personal recovery and the Twelve Traditions for group unity. The program’s cornerstone is the book “Alcoholics Anonymous,” also known as the “Big Book,” which outlines the recovery process and includes personal stories of recovery.

    • Focus: Primarily addresses alcohol addiction.
    • Approach: Spiritual and anonymous, emphasizing surrender to a higher power.
    • Meetings: Widely available, offering various formats.
  2. Celebrate Recovery: Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a Christ-centered recovery program founded in 1991 at Saddleback Church, helping individuals overcome hurts, hang-ups, and habits through Jesus Christ. Embracing CR’s 8 principles and 12 steps involves having an accountability partner and a sponsor. Step studies (SS), encouraged for deeper self-exploration, occur weekly and help participants understand the origins of their issues, fostering healing and transformation. CR supports recovery across diverse communities, including mental health, children, teens, and veterans, through a supportive community and structured curriculum.

    • Focus: Addresses a range of hurts, habits, and hang-ups, not limited to substance abuse.
    • Approach: Christian-based, incorporating biblical principles into recovery.
    • Meetings: Structured with specific lessons and testimonies.
  3. Rational/Smart Recovery: Rational Recovery (RR), founded in 1986 by Jack Trimpey, offers a secular alternative to traditional 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. The program is based on the Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT), which helps individuals recognize and manage internal thoughts that promote substance use. Unlike AA, RR does not view addiction as a disease and emphasizes self-efficacy and personal responsibility for permanent abstinence. RR discontinued its group meetings in favor of self-recovery methods.

    • Focus: Emphasizes self-empowerment and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
    • Approach: Secular and science-based, focusing on rational decision-making.
    • Meetings: Less standardized, often involving discussions and tools.
  4. Refuge Recovery: Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist-inspired program founded by Noah Levine for overcoming addiction. It uses the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to address addiction’s root causes through meditation, ethical living, and community support. The program encourages daily meditation and written reflection, aiming for spiritual and psychological transformation. The Refuge Recovery book provides detailed guidance and personal recovery stories, emphasizing mindfulness and present-time awareness.
    • Focus: Integrates Buddhist principles and mindfulness practices into addiction recovery.
    • Approach: Non-theistic, highlighting meditation, compassion, and ethical living.
    • Meetings: Include guided meditations, discussions, and a focus on community support.

Choosing the Right Program:

Selecting the most suitable program is a personal decision. Consider:

  1. Personal Beliefs: Align the program with your spiritual or philosophical beliefs.
  2. Community Support: Assess the availability and supportiveness of local groups for each program.
  3. Structured vs. Flexible Approach: Decide on a more structured or flexible approach based on your preferences.

Finding a Group:

  1. Online Resources: Utilize online resources such as the official websites of each program (e.g., AA, Celebrate Recovery, Rational Recovery, Refuge Recovery). These websites often have meeting locators, schedules, and additional information.
  2. Local Directories: Check local community centers, churches, or health organizations, as they may have information about nearby 12-step meetings. Local directories, both online and offline, can also be valuable resources.
  3. Word of Mouth: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who may have experience with 12-step programs. Personal recommendations can provide insights into the dynamics and atmosphere of different groups.

Choosing a Meeting:

  1. Meeting Formats: Different groups may have varied meeting formats, such as speaker meetings, discussion groups, or step-study sessions. Attend a few different formats to find what resonates with you.
  2. Location and Time: Consider practical aspects like the meeting location and time. Choose a group that is convenient for you to attend regularly.
  3. Open vs. Closed Meetings: Some meetings may be open to anyone interested, while others may be closed to those with a specific addiction. Ensure you select meetings that align with your needs.
  4. Attend Several Meetings: It’s advisable to attend multiple meetings for each program to get a well-rounded understanding of the group dynamics and the program’s philosophy.

Reaching Out:

  1. Contact Information: Obtain contact information for the group or the meeting facilitator. This information is often available on the program’s official website or through local directories.
  2. Inquire About the Meeting: Feel free to contact the group or meeting facilitator in advance. Ask about the meeting format, any specific requirements, and express any concerns or questions you may have.
  3. Introduce Yourself: When attending a meeting, introduce yourself to others. Many groups are welcoming and supportive, and members often appreciate newcomers reaching out.

Potential Legal Benefits:

Participating in a 12-step program can demonstrate to the court your commitment to addressing any underlying alcohol issues. This may be viewed favorably during plea negotiations and sentencing, potentially leading to a more positive outcome.

At the Barone Defense Firm we recommend attending a few meetings of each program to gauge their philosophies and dynamics. Feel free to discuss your options with your lawyer and your therapist so that you can collaboratively determine the most suitable course of action for your situation.

From a purely legal standpoint, meaning from only a lawyer’s perspective, the question should be whether the judge hearing your case will treat you differently, and better, at sentencing because you’ve started attending AA on your own.  The reason a judge might be more lenient is because it helps show that you are self-motivated, acting a responsible way, and are in all other ways a candidate for rehabilitation instead of in need of more severe punishment.

Rehabilitation in this context usually means probation instead of jail time. If you decide to begin to voluntarily go to AA, or if you are ordered by the court to go to AA, then make sure you collect signatures each time you go, using an appropriate AA sign in sheet.

This Journey is about Personal Growth and Healing

However, AA is only part of the rehabilitation equation, and this is where the therapist comes into the equation.  Keep in mind that a single drunk driving arrest does not, itself, prove that you are an alcoholic.  On the other hand, from multiple drunk driving arrests, a different picture may emerge.  This is because arrests resulting from the use of alcohol is one of the diagnostic criteria used by therapists to diagnose a substance use disorder.  This diagnosis is usually contained in a substance use assessment (SUA) or substance use evaluation (SUE). For more information on this, see the Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Guide to the DSM-5 for Substance Use Disorders that appeared in the November 2016 SADO Criminal Defense Newsletter.

Your lawyer may recommend that you have a SUE before you are sentenced to help them determine if AA is the right choice and/or if there are other things you can or should be doing to address any underlying substance use disorder. If the therapist does conclude that you meet all the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, then it will be important for you to follow through on the treatment plan.  Treatment might or might not include AA, in addition to things like weekly or regular individual and/or group therapy, or depending on the severity of the alcohol issue, intensive outpatient or even in-patient treatment.

The best reason to go to AA is not because it will help your case but because it will help you better understand if you have an issue with alcohol, and if you do, to help you get a handle on that problem.  This is a personal decision that only you can make, but your therapist and your lawyer should be consulted as well.

Call Michigan marijuana attorney Patrick Barone at (248) 306-9158 seven days a week to get help with your weed possession criminal case.

 

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