The state of Texas is continuously dealing with the serious problem of alcohol addiction and alcoholism. Alcohol addiction has had devastating effects in the communities of Texas, destroying lives and families. The need for alcohol treatment and alcohol rehab in the area has never been greater.

Alcohol rehab and alcohol treatment in Texas offers individuals who are struggling with alcohol addiction and alcoholism a road out of the viscous cycle of addiction. Treatment in Texas offers hope that a real change can be made, as individuals will be able to discover how they became addicted to alcohol in the first place. Effective alcohol treatment and alcohol rehab in Texas gives individuals the power and tools to begin making the right choices in their lives, instead of using alcohol as a crutch. Through alcohol treatment and rehabilitation individuals can set positive goals and make the things that are important count.

For individuals in Texas who have been struggling with alcohol addiction for some time, physical withdrawal will most likely occur when they suddenly quit drinking alcohol. Withdrawal is an extremely tough and painful process to go through, and can be potentially deadly. Individuals in Texas who do seek treatment can be assured that an alcohol rehab can successfully get them through withdrawal and onto their next steps of treatment.

There are various Alcohol Rehab options offered in Texas. Alcohol treatment and rehabilitation options in the state include Long-term Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs, Outpatient Alcohol Rehabs, Short-term Alcohol Rehab Centers, Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Facilities, support group meetings, alcohol counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

Alcohol addiction and alcoholism don't have to have the power over your life or the life of someone you care about. Seek alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in Texas for you or someone you know today. It's never too late.

Texas 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. These alcohol related statistics show that once again, Texas has surpassed California as the state with the most alcohol-related motor-vehicle fatalities and the highest number of fatalities with drivers over the .08% legal limit. However, current drunk driving statistics have shown improvement. In 1982, the highest number of alcohol related deaths were reported, 2,801. The lowest numbers were reported in 2008, with 1463. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related was highest in 1982 also, with 66%. That percentage dropped to its lowest level in 2008, showing 43% of traffic fatalities as alcohol related. For the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 38% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 61% in 1982.

The table below shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Texas, 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 imperative to note that the Texas drunk driving statistics, as shown below, include data from individuals 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 bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value." The fatality rates shown below 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 Texas?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Texas

• A first-time offender in Texas faces up to 18 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. The driver�''s license suspension period is 90 days.
• A person who commits a second DWI in Texas within five years of the first offense faces up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both. The driver�''s license suspension period is one year.
• A person who commits a third DWI in Texas within five years of the prior offense faces two to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The driver�''s license suspension period is one year.

Enhanced Penalty for DWI with Child Passenger Under 15

• If a person commits a DWI in Texas while a passenger younger than 15 is in the vehicle, the offender faces 180 days to two years in prison. The offender may also be fined up to $10,000.

Underage Drivers

The following penalties apply to minors at least 18 but under 21 who commit a DWI:

• For a first offense in Texas, the minor will be fined up to $500 and be ordered to perform community service work for 20 to 40 hours. The community service work must be related to education about or prevention of misuse of alcohol. The driver�''s license suspension period is 60 days.
• For a second offense in Texas, the minor will be fined up to $500 and be ordered to perform community service work for 40 to 60 hours. The community service work must be related to education about or prevention of misuse of alcohol. The driver�''s license suspension period is 120 days.
• For a third offense in Texas, the minor is subject to a fine of $500 to $2,000, confinement in jail for up to 180 days, or both. The driver�''s license suspension period is 180 days.

The following penalties apply to minors under 18:

• For a first offense in Texas, the child will be fined up to $500 and be ordered to perform community service work for 20 to 40 hours. The community service work must be related to education about or prevention of misuse of alcohol. The driver�''s license suspension period is 60 days.
• For a second offense in Texas, the child will be fined up to $500 and be ordered to perform community service work for 40 to 60 hours. The community service work must be related to education about or prevention of misuse of alcohol. The driver�''s license suspension period is 120 days.

What is the Texas Dram Shop Act?

• Under this statute, a licensed drinking establishment can be held liable for personal injuries caused by intoxication if the establishment served an obviously intoxicated person to the extent that he or she presented a clear danger to himself and others or if the establishment knowingly served alcohol to a person under 21.