Addiction Recovery

DUI/DUII Treatment In Oregon: Classes, Tests, And FAQs Everyone Should Know

October 11, 2021

Check out this article to learn more about DUI/DUII treatment in Oregon, and what happens in a field sobriety test, as well as the consequences of a DUI conviction.

Driving Under The Influence Of Intoxicants (DUII), or Driving Under The Influence (DUI), has always been and continues to be a national problem. 

Simply put, DUII/DUI is a type of case where a driver or motorist operates a vehicle while intoxicated with or impaired by alcohol, drugs, prescription medication, or a combination of both.

DUII Treatment Completion Certificate
Source: Unsplash

On a personal and legal level, DUI consequences are superficial-- your license will be suspended or revoked, you’ll spend some time in jail or prison. You will also pay some fines. However, things change significantly and become more severe when other people are involved.

If you’re reckless and irresponsible, you can risk the lives of everyone in the car and on the road. About 29 people die in alcohol-impaired driving every day. DUI/DUII treatment in Oregon is particularly imperative because 153 people have lost their lives to alcohol-impaired driving incidents in 2018.

What Happens In A DUI Test?

A law enforcer could test you at a checkpoint or by the side of a road when they notice odd behaviors. Either way, field sobriety tests assess drivers to see if they have been driving while intoxicated.

Generally, a standard field sobriety test consists of three smaller assessments to measure intoxication:

  • Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) - The officer holds a small object about 12-15 inches from your nose and slowly moves it from side to side for you to follow. They look for involuntary eye jerks, a sign of being intoxicated.
  • Walk and Turn (WAT) - You’ll take nine heel-toe steps in a straight line, turn on one foot and repeat the walk in the opposite direction. 
  • One-leg stand (OLS) - The officer will instruct you to lift one foot approximately six inches above the ground and count aloud by thousands until they tell you to put your foot down.

The WAT and OLS assessment both test your ability to divide your attention between mental and physical tasks.

DUI online class
Source: Unsplash

Additionally, officers can use a standard breathalyzer test to determine your level of intoxication. Like in many states, Oregon can convict you of a DUI if you drive with at least a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration also known as BAC within two hours of driving.

What Happens If You Fail A Drug Test For DUI?

For most crimes, you won’t face any penalties unless convicted of the offense. But that’s not the case for DUI. If lawfully arrested for a first-offense DUII, you can face administrative penalties such as:

  • Have an ignition interlock device or an IIDs on their vehicles for one year or after the license suspension period.
  • License or driving privileges suspension. You’ll need a  DUII Treatment Completion Certificate to get your driving license and or privileges reinstated.

In a conviction of a first-offense DUI, the judge will either sentence you to jail time  for about two days to one year or community service for 80 to 250 hours. In addition to that, you’ll have to pay a fine of at least $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the severity of your case.

What Is DUII Treatment?

As an alternative to incarceration, the court can order you to get DUI treatment. It may include conventional substance abuse treatment and other forms of therapeutic interventions focusing on substance abuse.

Compared to jail time or probation, court-ordered treatment fairs better. It gives chemically dependent offenders a chance to cure their illnesses - like substance use disorder also known as SUD - while under judicial supervision. 

drug test for DUI
Source: Pexels

In some cases, the criminal justice system can add substance abuse treatment as a condition of your probation or parole. When drug courts aim to rehabilitate instead of punishing offenders charged with drug- or alcohol-related crimes, they can treat the SUD and reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior.

Oregon DUII Treatment Programs

Several rehab facilities offer DUII treatment in Oregon. While treatment will vary from person to person and will depend entirely on your situation, there are some things you can generally expect.

  • An assessment will help the professionals understand your relationship with alcohol or other substances.
  • Most, if not all, DUI treatment programs have daytime and evening groups to fit anyone’s schedule. 
  • To help identify the root of your SUD, you’ll attend counseling sessions, both in group and one-on-one.
  • An accurate monitoring system will closely track your progress and report it to the necessary personnel. They’ll also conduct random urine, blood, and breath tests to ensure you are staying sober.
  • In many centers in Oregon, DUI classes are compulsory. These educational sessions focus on: some text
    • The dangers of driving under the influence
    • Both social and legal consequences of a DUI conviction
    • Healthy coping techniques to stay away from substance use

Treatment can happen in the form of inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, individual therapy, drug court programs, or a combination of any of these options. It may also include programs like anger management to address other behavioral issues associated with criminal behavior.

Are There DUII/DUI Online Classes?

In this day and age, you can virtually do everything online-- even DUI/DUII classes. One major benefit of this is that you can take these educational sessions anywhere, even from another state. Here’s a list of places that offer DUI online classes:

  • Stonewall Institute
  • Arizona DUI Services
  • DUIArrestHelp.com
  • Tom Wilson Counseling Center
  • Alfa Driving School
  • Online Alcohol Class

Should I Avail DUI/DUII Services?

Comparing it to probation and incarnation, court-ordered DUI treatment looks to be the best option. If you don’t seek treatment, you’ll spend time in jail, where the likelihood of you overcoming your SUD is low. 

Consequently, more people’s lives are in danger. If you still have a substance use problem by the time you get out of jail. You’ll be risking your life and the lives of others the moment you get behind the wheel. Which will result in a  vicious cycle of DUI arrests and pain.

oregon DUI classes
Source: Unsplash

So, yes. If you were in a situation where you had to choose between jail time and treatment, choose treatment. It will not only benefit you and your health but will keep other people safe, as well.

Learn And Be Better

Intoxicated driving is a massive problem in the country, but it is 100% preventable. If you’re a responsible driver, you’ll know not to drive under the influence of any substance.

But sometimes, our negligence can cause accidents and risk lives. Dozens of people die every day in drunk-driving accidents. If you’ve been caught up in one, learn to accept the consequences, seek DUI/DUII treatment in Oregon, and be better.

You don’t have to go through it alone. Start your healing and turn to Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center of Portland. You can visit us at 12670 NW Barnes Rd Suite 200, Portland, OR 97229. You may also contact us at 971-269-8124.

Disclaimer: This post serves a strictly educational use. It does not reflect the services, products, or therapeutic approaches of this establishment or its healthcare practitioners. This blog aims not to advertise the products, services, or therapeutic approaches of any other establishment that may be associated with this site. On the subject of safe or legal services, products, and appropriate therapies, recommendations ought to be given by a qualified professional on a case-to-case basis.