Alcohol addiction and alcoholism are a sad reality for many residents in New York and many communities, large and small, in New York struggle with this problem. The need for alcohol rehabs and alcohol rehabilitation in the area has never been greater.

Alcohol rehab and alcohol treatment in New York is a chance for someone struggling with alcohol addiction to turn the tide and get their lives back on track. Alcohol rehab facilities in New York are prepared to handle whatever comes up in the recovery process, and help individuals take advantage of the counseling and other services offered in treatment to discover the causes of their addiction. The knowledge and abilities gained during recovery will help prevent relapse and ensure the individual will be able to handle their problems on their own without resorting to alcohol use.

Long-term regular use makes individuals physically dependant to alcohol. This dependence is the reason most alcoholics experience physical withdrawal when they suddenly quit drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can last for days or weeks and can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. In the most severe cases withdrawal can be deadly. Withdrawal is one of the reasons alcoholics find it so hard to stop drinking in the first place. With help and support from an alcohol rehab in New York, withdrawal can be successfully overcome.

There are many options in New York for individuals to choose from for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation. There are Long-term Alcohol Rehab Programs, Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers, Short-term Alcohol Rehab Facilities, Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs, support group meetings, alcohol counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

Don't let alcohol addiction get the best of you or someone you love and care about. Get the help you need and seek alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in New York, before it is too late.

New York 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. Slightly over half of all traffic fatalities in New York were alcohol related in 1982, which was the highest percentage for this state since recording began. That same year recorded the highest number of alcohol-related deaths with 1,131. Since then, the number of alcohol related fatalities has dropped significantly, to 409, in 2008. In the most recent year of stats, out of all traffic fatalities, 28% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

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 New York 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 New York, 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 New York drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals 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 bicyclist) 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 New York?

• Non-commercial drivers in New York age 21+ are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.
• Drivers of commercial vehicles in New York are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .04 percent or greater.
• Drivers under 21 in New York are legally drunk after a chemical test reveals that they consumed alcohol.

Penalties for Drunk Driving in New York

• First-time offenders in New York whose BAC measured .08 but less than .18 face a term of imprisonment of up to one year and payment of a fine of $500 to $1,000. The drivers license revocation period is at least six months.
• First-time offenders in New York whose BAC measured .18 or more face a term of imprisonment of up to one year and payment of a fine of at least $1,000. The drivers license revocation period is at least one year. In addition, if the offender is placed on probation, the offender must use an ignition interlock device following restoration of his drivers license and during the probation term.
• Those who commit a second DWI offense in New York within 10 years face up to four years in prison and payment of a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. The drivers license revocation period is at least one year. If, however, the first offense was for a DWI with a BAC of .18 or more, the revocation period will be at least 18 months.
• A person who commits a third offense in New York within 10 years faces up to seven years in prison and payment of a fine of $2,000 to $10,000. Depending on the circumstances of the prior violations and the time period between violations, these offenders may have their drivers licenses permanently revoked.

Commercial Drivers

In addition to other penalties associated with New Yorks DWI laws, a commercial driver who is convicted of DWI while operating any vehicle will have his or her commercial drivers license revoked for at least one year. If, however, the offender was driving a commercial vehicle and transporting hazardous materials at the time, the revocation period is at three least years. A commercial driver who commits a second DWI in New York will have his or her commercial license permanently revoked. If the driver maintains a clean driving history, the revocation may be lifted after 10 years.

Drivers Under 21

In addition to other penalties that may apply, if a chemical test shows that a driver under 21 in New York consumed alcohol and drove, the minors drivers license will be revoked for at least six months. If, however, the minor is convicted and is adjudicated a youthful offender for driving while intoxicated, the revocation period is at least one year. If the minor had a prior DWI offense, the revocation period will be at least one year or until the minor reaches 21, whichever period is greater.

School Bus Drivers

In addition to other penalties related to New Yorks DWI laws, if a chemical test reveals that a school bus driver in New York consumed alcohol and drove a school bus, the offenders drivers license will be suspended for at least one year. If, however, at least one student passenger was in the vehicle at the time of the violation, the driver faces a term of imprisonment to be determined by a judge in accordance with the DWI law violated. The offender is also subject to pay a fine of $500 to $1,500. If, however, the bus drivers BAC measured .08 but less than .18 and at least one student passenger was in the bus at the time, the driver faces up to four years in prison and is subject to pay a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. If the drivers BAC measured .18 or more and a student passenger was in the bus at the time, the driver faces up to seven years in prison and is subject to pay a fine of $2,000 to $10,000.

Taxi Cab Drivers

In addition to other penalties related to New Yorks DWI laws, if a chemical test reveals that a taxi cab driver in New York consumed alcohol and drove a taxi, the driver faces a term of imprisonment to be determined by a judge in accordance with the DWI law violated. The offender is also subject to pay a fine of $500 to $1,500. If, however, the drivers BAC measured .18 or greater and one commercial passenger was in the vehicle at the time, the driver faces up to four years in prison and is subject to pay a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.

Ignition Interlock

Currently, the requirements and conditions of New York's Ignition Interlock Device Program apply only to persons sentenced in Albany, Erie, Nassau, Onondaga, Monroe, Westchester, and Suffolk Counties. Nothing, however, precludes other counties from implementing a program. Under the current program, which will expire on September 1, 2007, a judge may require any person who was convicted of DUI in New York to use an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation.

What is New York's Dram Shop Act?

Under New York law, a licensed drinking establishment that sells liquor to a minor or to an intoxicated person may be held liable for third-party injuries caused by the illegal sale. Additionally, a licensed drinking establishment that sells liquor to a minor may be held liable for injuries suffered by the minor as a result of his or her own intoxication.

What is New York's Social Host Statute?

Under New York law, any person who knowingly serves alcohol to a minor can be liable for resulting injuries caused as a result of the minors intoxication.

Criminal Liability for Selling or Giving Alcohol to a Minor

Any person who sells or gives alcohol in New York to a person under 21 faces up to one year in prison and is subject to pay a fine of up to $1,000.