Five Tips for Approaching a Loved One Who Drinks and Drives - By: Selma Grace

Having a loved one who drinks and drive is a painful situation. You may be worried to get in the car with this person. Even when you're not in the car yourself, you may worry about the danger your loved one poses to others on the road. Though there are legal and social agencies that can help you if your loved one continues to drink and drive, you should begin by approaching him or her directly before seeking that type of help.

1. Approach your loved one at a time when he is not drinking. This may mean waiting until a weekend morning or right after he has finished work. It is more likely that your loved on will listen to you when sober. Furthermore, even if he appears to be listening, it is possible the conversation isn't really penetrating.

2. Discuss the health ramifications of alcoholism with your loved one. If he has already reached the point of driving under the influence, the problem is past the beginning stages. Many groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, provide self-questionairres that you and your loved one can use to determine how serious his dependence on alcohol has become.

3. Ask your loved one to take a field sobriety test before he drives. Many people who get behind the wheel after having too much to drink insist that they are still able to drive. Taking one of the tests that police officers use to determine if someone has had too much to drink might force your loved one to face reality.

4. Ask your loved one how it would affect his job if he was convicted of drunk driving. If he needed to apply for a new job, he would have to disclose that conviction on future job applications. If your loved one works as a professional driver or works with children, a drunk driving conviction could be a barrier to employment.

5. Remind your loved one that drunk driving stops often appear in the local newspaper's police blotter. Ask him how he would feel if his friends and colleagues found out.

About the Author

Selma Grace is a writer who enjoys writing on a number of different verticals. For more on drinking and driving, DUI Process offers readers information on anti drunk driving programs for teens.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Selma-Grace/199917

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