DUI... Alcohol is no longer consumed by me.

This weekend I went to a "lunch" date with a guy. After chatting and eating, we decided to have a "drink" at the bar. That drink turned into several drinks and at some point I blacked out. I do not, honestly do not remember how I got from the Bar (3 flights of stairs) down to this guys car..but I did. When I finally started to "come around" I was doing things with this individual that I would never have done on a first date had I remained sober.  I untangled myself from that mess, thinking I was now "sober" got into my car and drove home. On my way home, I got pulled over for speeding. The cop smelled residual alcohol on my breath, gave me a breathalizer and sobriety test and I blew a .16. I had not drank anything in several hours. I was arrested and now have a long road of many fees, fines and classes ahead of me in order to deal with the DUI that will now be on my record for the next 10 years.  This was a very hard lesson to learn, I am thankful I did not hurt anyone or myself. I'm a huge advocate against drinking and driving and usually am the "key collector" at parties. I now have to face the fact that I screwed up big time, my judgement was off, and impared. I do not know if the alcohol in my blood stream lasted longer because of my surgery, or my much smaller weight..but either way. Due to the "black out" and the obvious huge lapse in judgement, I am no longer drinking. This is a little ironic as we just posted about "black out" drinking and alcoholism after surgery the other day. I hope that my experience..which will be ongoing will help others who might think that they can "handle" the drinking. I know that I react to alcohol much differently post surgery than I did prior... I have had a few "black out" incidents and am now just thankful that none of those happened behind the wheel. While I would not have chosen a DUI as a lesson teacher..I am going to use it for that purpose. I am no longer drinking, as I have very poor judgement as a result of the huge buzz I get from alcohol.  Just my 2 cents.. I hope people understand that it was very hard for me to post this..and that I only post it so that perhaps I can save someone else's life or even their driving record. Please, please please..if you are a 'black out" drinker.. please consider stopping.. I no longer trust myself to ever drink again..  This is a tremendously hard lesson for me and in my circle of friends and family, I was the LAST person anyone would expect to be arrested and charged with a DUI. Now I have to get my life back into shape and really look at the direction I was taking. - God be with all of you, because he was certainly with me Saturday night..it could have been much, much worse..  Jess

Jess; I know this couldn't have been easy to post, but commend you for sharing your experience in hopes of educating others. I wish you the best and you maneuver through the system in coming days. I'm glad no one was physically hurt.

Hey Jess, I know this was a very hard thing for you to post.  I am glad you are alright and no one was hurt.  My hubby had a DUI over a year ago and I have to say, you have to be ready for a huge hit to the pocketbook!  Hopefully, this lesson will help others. Good luck to you! Hugs!

Yeah..I'm anticipating the pocketbook hit.. I have to consider the fact that I may lose my current vehicle as the payments are high and the insurance will just get higher. I definitely have to change my license plate..it says "TQLA+LM"...yeah..cop was not amused by that one.  jess

Well, think of it this way, at least you would only be losing your vehicle and no one lost a life!    Material things can always be replaced.  My advice to you (as a spouse) just go to court and plead it out unless you really think you can beat it.  (I don't think you even want to try)  It gets that part over and you can begin to move on, forgive yourself and start rebuilding.  You are going to be fine!   As for your license plate, I don't know why he wouldn't be amused.  I think it is kind of ironic!  Hopefully, that isn't what you were drinking.  One shot of that and I would be on my butt and I out weigh you big time!   Big Hugs!

Sadly...LOL yeah..that is what I was drinking..but it was my very last drink of tequila. If I ever do drink again, it will be red wine and it will be 1 glass adn I will be at a friends house or in my home w/ friends. I will not be anywhere that I have to drive from.

I feel your pain. My insurance didn't go up.

Thank you for posting this...It will help many of us.

That is my hope and intention. If I can help even one person avoid this situation..or avoid killing someone behind the wheel of a car.. that is my goal. Jess

Thank you for being willing to share this.  It seems very timely with the holidays coming and the frequent use of alcohol as a social lubricant at parties.  It is easy to assume it will never happen to "me" --somehow we are miraculously different from everyone one else!   I was never much of a drinker pre-op, so I really limit what I drink now and usually try to keep it to when I'm having a party at my own place (so I don't have to drive!).  Or I flavor a dessert with something.  I was more into the taste than the buzz anyway. Good luck dealing with all the fallout from the DUI. Sally