Alcohol addiction problems in Delaware are on the rise; thus the demand for more quality alcohol rehab programs in the state has increased. In choosing an alcohol treatment program in Delaware, it is important to choose an alcohol rehab facility that has a high rate of success in treating alcoholism. It is important that an individual from Delaware seeking alcohol rehab does not shy away from asking the important questions regarding the alcohol rehabilitation process.

The goal of a Delaware alcohol rehabilitation facility should be to support the individual with alcoholism in overcoming their addiction by developing a personalized alcohol rehabilitation plan that will meet their individual needs. There are so many different types of Delaware alcohol treatment options, such as short term, long term, inpatient or outpatient and holistic alcohol rehabilitation, just to name a few. If an individual from Delaware does not reach out for assistance, choosing an alcohol treatment center could prove to be a daunting task; with the help of caring professionals, choosing the right alcohol rehabilitation for you or your loved one can be made simple.

Most people in Delaware do not have a chance of overcoming their alcohol addiction without the support of a quality alcohol rehab program. The first thing that an individual from Delaware receiving alcohol rehabilitation must do to be free from alcohol is to detox from the substance. Once an individual successfully completes the detox process in an alcohol rehab center, they can move forward to begin to complete the other phases of treatment for their alcohol addiction; these could include counseling or group classes, relapse prevention education, and aftercare, which is used to help support the individual after they have completed treatment and returned home to Delaware.

Delaware 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 Delaware, a whopping 71% of all fatalities were alcohol related in 1985, while the actual number of alcohol related fatalities peaked in 1988 and 1990 with 86. While the overall trend is down, the years with the lowest number of drunk driving deaths in Delaware were 1996 and 1999, with 36. In 2008, out of all traffic fatalities, 37% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

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 Delaware 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 below shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Delaware, 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 Delaware drunk driving statistics, as shown below, include data from individuals in Delaware 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."

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 Delaware?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Delaware

• First-time offenders in Delaware face a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine ranging from $230 to $1,150, or both. These offenders are also required to complete a Delaware alcohol evaluation and a course of instruction and/or a rehabilitation program, which may include confinement of up to six months and a fee of up to $1,150. Currently, the driver's license revocation period is 12 months. Effective July 10, 2007, however, if the offender's BAC measured .15 to .19, the revocation period will 18 months; and if the offender's BAC measured .20 or more, the revocation period will be 24 months.
• A person who commits a second DWI in Delaware, within five years of the first conviction, faces a the term of imprisonment of 60 days to 18 months. The fine ranges from $575 to $2,300. The driver's license revocation period for second-time offenders is 18 months. If, however, the offender's BAC was between .16 and .19, the revocation period is 24 months. If the offender's BAC was .20 or greater, the revocation period is 30 months. Effective July 10, 2007, the revocation period for a second-time offender will be 24 months. If, however, the offender's BAC was .20 or more, the revocation period will be 30 months.
• A person in Delaware who commits a third DWI within five years of the previous convictions faces a term of imprisonment of one to two years. The fine ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. The driver's license revocation period for third-time offenders is 24 months. If, however, the offender's BAC was between .16 and .19, the revocation period is 30 months. If the offender's BAC was .20 or greater, the revocation period is 36 months.
• For a fourth or subsequent offense within any time period, the term of imprisonment is two to five years. The fine ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. The driver's license revocation period is 24 months. If, however, the offender's BAC was between .16 and .19, the revocation period is 30 months. If the offender's BAC was .20 or greater, the revocation period is 36 months. Effective July 10, 2007, anyone who has been convicted of DWI four or more times will have their license revoked for 60 months, regardless of their blood alcohol concentration.
• Any person in Delaware who is convicted of a subsequent DWI offense will also be ordered to complete an alcohol evaluation and complete a Delaware program of education or rehabilitation which may include in-patient treatment for up to 15 months and a fee for the treatment of up to the maximum fine for the offense.

Additional Penalties in Delaware for Drunk Drivers Carrying Passengers Under 17

If a person in Delaware is convicted of DWI while a person under 17 was in the vehicle, that person is subject to the following additional penalties:

First-time offenders in Delaware will be required to pay an additional fine ranging from $230 to $1,150. These offenders will also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service work in a program benefiting children.

Second-time offenders in Delaware will be required to pay an additional fine ranging from $575 to $2,300. These offenders will also be sentenced to perform at least 80 hours of community service work in a program benefiting children

Ignition Interlock

Anyone who commits a second or subsequent DWI in Delaware is required to install and use an ignition interlock system for at least three months before the offender's Delaware driver's license can be fully restored. Effective July 10, 2007, however, mandatory ignition interlock use periods will take effect. Second-time offenders in Delaware will be required to use an ignition interlock from six to 18 months, depending on the offender's BAC level. Third-time offenders in Delaware will be required to use the device from 12 to 24 months, depending on the offender's BAC level. A person who commits a fourth or subsequent DWI in Delaware will be required to use an ignition interlock device for at least 48 months.

Commercial Drivers

In addition to other penalties associated with Delaware's DWI laws, a person in Delaware who holds a commercial driver's license who is convicted of DWI for the first time while driving any vehicle will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for at least one year. If, however, the driver was transporting hazardous materials at the time of the offense, the disqualification period is three years. A commercial driver in Delaware who commits a second DWI while driving any vehicle will be disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle for life, which may or may not be reduced to a period of 10 years.

Drivers Under 21

In addition to other penalties that may apply, a person under 21 in Delaware who commits a first DWI will receive a driver's license revocation of two months. A person who commits a second offense in Delaware will receive a revocation of six to 12 months.

Selling Alcohol to a Person Under 21

It is a crime to sell alcohol to a person under 21. Anyone in Delaware who violates this law is subject to pay a fine of $250 to $500. Failure to pay the fine carries a 30-day prison term.

Furnishing Alcohol to a Person Under 21

It is a crime to give alcohol to a person under 21. It is also a crime to permit a person under 21 to drink alcohol. Anyone in Delaware who violates this law is subject to pay a fine of $100 to $500. Additionally, first-time offenders may be ordered to perform community service for 40 hours and may be imprisoned for up to 30 days. A second violation carries a $500 to $1,000 fine. Second-time offenders in Delaware may also be ordered to perform 80 hours of community service and may be imprisoned for up to 60 days.