Alcoholism is increasingly becoming more of an issue in the state of Florida; thus increasing the need for more quality alcohol rehab facilities to be located in and around the state. Choosing an alcohol rehabilitation program can appear be a difficult process, with so many available options that exist in Florida. There are inpatient alcohol rehab facilities, outpatient alcohol treatment, short term and long term alcohol rehab offered in Florida, just to name a select few.

In a Florida outpatient alcohol rehab program, the individual that is being treated for an alcohol addiction will usually visit the rehabilitation center at various intervals for a specific number of hours. Many alcoholics will choose this type of treatment in order to remain close to home, but often times this is a recipe for disaster. Very few individuals from Florida with a moderate to severe alcohol addiction can fully benefit long term from such a limited amount of alcohol rehabilitation. In a residential alcohol rehabilitation facility, the individual from Florida usually lives full time at the treatment center; with this intense level of rehabilitation, professional support is made available around the clock.

The first step in a quality Florida alcohol rehab program is the alcohol detoxification which can result in serious withdrawal symptoms. Help from a detox professional is always a good idea in order to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal. After detox has successfully been completed, an individual from Florida can then begin to focus on the various components of the alcohol rehabilitation program; these elements of the alcohol treatment may include counseling, group classes, behavior modification techniques, and drug relapse prevention education. The main goal of a quality alcohol rehab facility should be to enable the individual from Florida to successfully achieve and maintain long term sobriety.

Florida 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. In Florida, the percentage of alcohol related fatalities peaked in 1983, while the actual number of alcohol related deaths peaked in 1986. In 2008, out of all traffic fatalities, 29% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, with 875 fatalities.

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 Florida 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 above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Florida, 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 Florida drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals in Florida 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 pedalcyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value." The fatality rates shown above refer to the number of people killed in all traffic accidents and, separately, in alcohol related traffic accidents, per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

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 Florida?

• Non-commercial drivers in Florida age 21+ are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.
• Drivers of commercial vehicles in Florida are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .04 percent or greater. In Florida, school bus drivers are commercial drivers.
• Drivers under 21 in Florida are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .02 or more.

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Florida

• Punishment for first-time offenders in Florida is a term of imprisonment of up to six months and a fine ranging from $250 to $500. First-time offenders will also be placed on Florida probation for up to one year. As a condition of probation, the offender must participate in a public service or community work project for a minimum of 50 hours. The judge may, however, order payment of an additional fine of $10 for each hour of public service or community work required if payment of the fine is in the best interests of the State of Florida. The total period of probation and incarceration cannot be more than one year. As a condition of probation, the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense (or any vehicle registered in the offender's name at the time of impoundment) will be impounded for 10 days. The driver's license revocation period is 180 days to one year.
• Second-time offenders in Florida face a term of imprisonment of up to nine months. They must also pay a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000. If the second conviction occurred within five years of the first, driving privileges will be revoked for at least five years. Following incarceration and expiration of the driver's license revocation period, these offenders must place an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own, lease, or routinely operate for at least one year.
• A third-time offender in Florida who is convicted within 10 years of the second conviction faces up to five years in prison. These offenders must also pay a fine of up to $5,000. The driver's license revocation period is at least 10 years. Following incarceration and expiration of the driver's license revocation period, these offenders are required to place an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own, lease, or routinely operate for at least two years.
• For a third conviction in Florida that occurs more than 10 years after the date of a prior conviction, the term of imprisonment is up to12 months, and the fine ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. A judge will determine how long the offender's license will be revoked. Following incarceration and expiration of their driver's license revocation period, these offenders are required to place an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own, lease, or routinely operate for at least two years.
• On a fourth or subsequent conviction, regardless of when the offense occurred, the term of imprisonment is up to 10 years and the fine is up to $5,000. Fines imposed for fourth and subsequent violations, however, cannot be less than $1,000. The offender's driver's license will be permanently revoked.
• All persons convicted of DUI in Florida will be placed on monthly reporting probation and must complete a Florida substance abuse course, which includes a psychosocial evaluation.

Enhanced Penalties in Florida for Drunk Drivers Carrying Passengers Under 18

• If a person in Florida commits a DUI while someone under 18 was in the vehicle, DUI penalties are enhanced. First-time offenders face a term of imprisonment of up to nine months and a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000. They must also place an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own, lease, or routinely operate for up to six months. Those who violate this law a second time in Florida face a prison term of up to 12 months and a fine ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. They must also place an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own, lease, or routinely operate for at least two years.

Drivers Under 21

• In addition to other penalties that may apply, a driver under 21 who commits a DUI in Florida with a BAC of .02 or higher will receive a six-month suspension for a first conviction and an one-year suspension for a second or subsequent conviction. In cases where the driver's BAC was .05 or more, the driver will be required to complete a Florida substance abuse course, which includes a substance abuse evaluation. Parents of drivers under 19 will be notified of the results of the evaluation. A driver under 21 in Florida can be prosecuted and punished under the DUI laws that are applied to adults.

�'What is Florida's Dram Shop Act?

• Under Florida law, a drinking establishment that willingly serves alcohol to a person under 21 or that knowingly sells alcohol to a person who is habitually addicted to liquor may become liable for injury or damage caused by or resulting from the intoxication of the minor or habitual drunkard.

What is Florida's "Open House Party" Statute?

• This statute prohibits anyone 18 or older in Florida from having a party at their residence and knowingly permitting a person under 21 to have or to drink alcohol. Violators of this statute face up to 60 days in prison. Under this statute, a person in Florida can avoid criminal liability by ending the party or taking some other reasonable action to prevent a person under 21 from having or drinking alcohol. Florida courts have held that this statute imposes a duty of care on social hosts and creates a civil action when violated.

Criminal Penalties in Florida for Selling, Giving, or Serving Alcohol to a Person Under 21

• In Florida, it is a crime to sell or furnish alcohol to a person under 21. Anyone in Florida who violates this law faces six months in prison. Offenders who are not licensed to sell alcohol in Florida also face a driver's license suspension of three to six months for the first violation and one year for any subsequent violation.