My DUI has completely changed my life. It went from being something that was short term and manageable (for my first offense) to something that required huge life changes and commitments.  I had to sell my car, lost my license, supervised probation, random testing, paying my fines.  I have to find a ride to the grocery store.  I ride my bike to work every day, basically my whole life shrunk to meet the limitations of my new life.

I think mostly it cost me the trust everyone had that I was okay. As for myself personally, it’s cost me the ability to be independent. I can’t necessarily take new opportunities or go anywhere because I always have to depend on someone to give me rides and a schedule that works with the free time people have around me.

Emotionally I have paid by losing or ruining relationship that meant a lot to me. It affected my relationship with my parents and my siblings. It’s affected what kind of work I can do. It’s caused me to change how I plan my days and what I am able to do because I have lost my privilege to drive.

Driving under the influence (DUI) has consistently shown to be the most common criminal offense in the United States.  Many conscientious drivers with otherwise clean records have been arrested for a DUI and suddenly found their lives in a dizzying tailspin from which they could not pull out.

Unfortunately, the long-term shock waves from my DUI will cause the greatest pain. Even after I pay my fines and fulfill my legal obligations, my DUI conviction will still undermine my future opportunities and haunt my life for years.