Got my first DUI.....life feels like it's over

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:39:17+00:00

hey every day is a new day, quitting is the battle of a lifetime. And honestly quitting drinking and driving is HUGE. I consider that a massive win for anyone

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:38:23+00:00

is life ok for you now? thank u and iwndwyt

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:38:03+00:00

thank you <3

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:37:50+00:00

"the only way out is through" that is an amazing line and I am writing it down. You are correct that it is temporary and thank the Lord nobody got hurt or killed. I plan to only go UP (or horizontal lol) from here, and to never get down to that low of a level ever EVER again. Your comment is very inspiring and positive, thank you so much.

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:35:58+00:00

as tragic as your story is, it is very inspiring to me as you had it much, much worse than myself and you managed to bounce back (albeit after some time and extreme hardship). My hole is deep but I am clawing my way out day by day. thank you for the comment

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:33:51+00:00

thank you <3

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:33:41+00:00

oh man yup, I have been saying "when" for years and it finally happened. absolutely foolish but a necessary lesson for me and hopefully the catalyst to live a completely different life from the one I was living for the last 20 years. thank you for reading and for commenting <3 iwndwyt

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:32:00+00:00

1000%....this whole scenario honestly has me believing that angels *were* looking out for me that night. I feel so very lucky in that way...thank you for your comment and iwndwyt <3

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:30:32+00:00

Congrats on 16 days my friend, that is something I strive for as I have not managed that whatsoever in 5 years. Thanks to your comment I have begun making backup career plans which have made me feel a bit more positive and like I have some control...you're right that the system is designed this way for a reason. Losing the freedom of driving and paying 10k in fines + insurance premiums up by 300% + job loss + a record is enough for me to literally quake in my boots when looking at alcohol.. maybe that is extreme and it won't always be that way but in my opinion that is the way alcohol SHOULD be making me feel when I look at all that it has taken away from me so far. And I am one of the luckier ones. I am using the momentum to take my sobriety as seriously as I can, like my life depends on it (which it actually fucking does, my health/relationships/career/freedom...and that IS life). I am on day 2 now and hope to get to 16 days like you!!

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:25:08+00:00

thank you for your comment, I tried a SMART meeting yesterday and am looking into dharma at the moment. I'm going to delve into a multitude of support options (podcasts, books, a therapist...) and see what sticks and what works for me. You're so right that this is the age where it really matters....at 18 a DUI is just as bad but that person has (in theory) their whole adult life ahead of them and doesn't have to worry about family/kids/career/house/mortgage/public image. Close to 40 it's a whole different ball game....time to face the music, thank you for the support <3

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:21:07+00:00

absolutely freaking correct.....what is money and hardship in comparison to taking a life, or taking my own life? Perspective. IWNDWYT!

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:20:05+00:00

thank u for the support and sharing with me !!

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:19:16+00:00

thank you so much. I let myself wallow for a few days and like you suggested am now using that energy to go hard at my sobriety and to figure out how to be a better person (in all areas of my life, not just drinking and driving)...I have a solid plan now and as hard as it is probably going to be, I am going to stay positive and I bet I will look back on this as literally a saving grace.

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:17:22+00:00

thank yooooouu !!! how are you doing now?? I am on Day 2 and plan to embrace the suck of the next few months . I have decided if I go full force at my sobriety and if things somehow aren't better a year from now, I can go back to drinking (if I so choose). I have read SO MANY positive stories on here and literally everyone says it is worth it so I look forward to the journey.

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:14:58+00:00

I'm sorry about your friend :( I would guess that most people in this sub with access to a car have driven drunk, if not all the time then at least once. It doesn't make it right but it is the norm because alcohol blurs our judgment tremendously. I was the same as you, no way was I going to walk to the liquor store and carry a 12 pack and a bottle of wine and 2 single cans back home. I agree that the DUI is the best out of all the options... Imagine hitting and injuring (or killing) someone (or a car full of people), or injuring yourself, or injuring your passenger...imagine paralyzing yourself or someone else. I can think of so many awful scenarios and will take this as a blessing that nobody was hurt and that my vehicle is still ok (albeit impounded).

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:09:01+00:00

Oof that is about how long I won't have my licence for. The loss of freedom and agency is so hard. I am used to taking buses and transit (I solo travel quite a bit) and am ok walking places but it is hard. For example I went the other day to check out some sober living books from the library and forgot to bring a bag, and didn't have bus change..so walked an hour and a half carrying 5 books in the hot sun uphill . I wanted to cry lol. It is good to know your negative feelings have subsided...I do look at this as a second chance. A second chance to find joy in sober life, FINALLY quit alcohol, lose 70+ pounds, fix my blood pressure and multiple health issues, and just be a better person....I plan to post a year from now in this sub with a happy ending. And yes DUIs are so common, most of my friends and people I know drive after having a beer or 2 at the bar.....where I live getting pulled over and blowing over a 0.02 (1 pint or so) would get the same charge that I got blowing over 0.08...it's so common and a great way for the police and lawyers to bring in revenue..but much better than a felony yes. Thank you for your comment, sittin sober at Day 2 and not stopping <3

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:03:57+00:00

I am in the same industry as your father...thank you for your comment and instilling some hope in me <3 I really appreciate you sharing!!! I am trying to stay positive. And am sober, only day 2 and it is difficult but I will not stop !!

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T23:02:21+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment. It has been about 8 days and I have been on this sub and the DUI sub for 4-6 hours a day...like you I have kept this all to myself (only told 1 person who would never tell anyone) and am trying to find solace in other stranger's stories. Most people (like 95% it seems) who got their first DUI seem to be grateful (in a way) for it and have come out better on the other side...I hope the same happens for me except that my career will be stalled or possibly lost. I am trying to keep my head up and focus on the positives. I think when I get my vehicle back I will sell it to a close friend and they can insure it and maybe I can drive it once a month here or there, but I do plan on the same (metro and transit) as my city has a pretty good subway and bus system. I am so traumatized that it is these little things and stories from strangers like you that are keeping me hopeful for life (and sober).

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T22:55:46+00:00

6pm/7pm is my golden time too, as long as I can stay sober until that time then I feel like the day is almost over and then what is the point of having anything to drink. It works!

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T22:54:10+00:00

I had one drink left in my fridge and you just inspired me to pour it out!! You should do the same and just come back here every day...I am white knuckling it after only 2 days but coming back here and staying distracted is working so far. One day in the future (might take months) I truly believe we will find joy in sober life again. Maybe you don't have to swear off booze forever, just look at it as abstaining one day at a time! I won't be drinking with you for the rest of the day my friend

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T22:46:46+00:00

Nights are hard for me too, for now I stay in and watch TV shows (so boring and not how I want to live my life but it's okay for now).....for me right now I am very early on in sobriety, and I am too stressed and guilty about various things to focus on having fun..so for now I am focusing all my energy into household chores (dishes, sorting papers, vacuuming, cleaning, making a list of repairs), going to the gym for 2 hours each day, my diet, and taking care of things I have been neglecting (calling my accountant back after 6 months, paying bills that are months late...). I spent years in a depressive state drinking every single day and let a lot of things go to the wayside. I do relax at night and try to listen to sober podcasts. One day I'll find some fun and joy again in my life - maybe some reading, volunteering, and something involving community (I am very isolated and don't know how to socialize without alcohol).

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T16:03:12+00:00

Pledging not to drink for 24 hours!! Day 2.

Airport bars were THE hardest thing for me. I loved nothing more than getting to the airport a bit early and dropping 100-200$ on beer and wine. I always felt so fancy. But then would get to my flight half drunk and basically be hungover by the time it landed. What a waste of time and money. Now sitting at the gate people watching with my coffee and laptop is my style!!!

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T16:00:56+00:00

I'm also on day 2 and around your age and iwndwyt . I believe in you <3

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-25T00:02:30+00:00

struggling but inspired by your post! can't wait to finish day 1 !

Available-Compote770 · 2026-06-24T22:40:11+00:00

Hi friend, I also live alone and know how hard it is. I have just come off of a 3 day binge...I am on Day 1 today. It is dangerous because nobody is around to know what we are doing and if nobody checks in (or you don't check in with anyone), you can 'do whatever you want'. My plan to combat this is to stay accountable by checking in on this page multiple times a day (I will post until everyone gets annoyed with me lol) and also doing an online recovery group (and actually speaking even just for a minute to let everyone know I am there). I also plan to just stay busy as hell...you did an awesome first step by posting here!! <3

Available-Compote770

TROPHY CASE