If you receive a ticket for driving under the influence, you might experience the after-effect of OVWI shame. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated is a serious crime, and one that carries some stigma. It’s important to forgive yourself for the mistakes you make, but also to commit to never getting behind the wheel again if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Let the legal consequences be a lesson for you, and take responsibilities for your choices. Accept that you made a mistake, but don’t let it define your life or your opinion of yourself forever. Finally, move forward in a healthy way by becoming an advocate for safe drinking habits. Navigating the legal consequences of driving under the influence can be time-consuming, but the shame can last far longer. Try to give yourself grace and let your experience be a catalyst for positive change.
Let It Be a Lesson
If you are experiencing OVWI shame, try to let that be a deterrent for you to ever repeat the behavior again. Commit to making changes in your life so that you are never in a position where you’re tempted to get behind the wheel while intoxicated ever again. For example, before leaving for the bar, arrange a safe ride home for yourself by asking a friend to pick you up, or pulling together money for cab fare. Or, if you feel like you are struggling with addiction, let your OVWI be a motivator to begin your recovery journey to sobriety.
Take Responsibility
It’s also important to take responsibility for your actions when dealing with OVWI shame. Don’t try to assign blame to anybody else or make excuses for driving under the influence. You made the decision, and you are dealing with the consequences of that decision. While it’s not easy to face mistakes, trying to hide from them won’t allow you to move on in a healthy way.
Forgive Yourself
OVWI shame exists because we all know that it’s unsafe and risky to drive while intoxicated. You made a mistake by choosing to get behind the wheel. However, just because you made a poor decision does not mean that it needs to define you for the rest of your life. Everybody makes mistakes, but you build character by learning from those mistakes and making positive changes.
Become an Advocate
Finally, one really effective way to overcome OVWI shame is to become an advocate against drunk driving. Sharing your experience can help others learn from your mistake. So talk about your experience with friends, or volunteer to share at local events promoting safe drinking practices. Helping others to avoid getting into trouble might allow you to find the silver lining in your experience and use what you learned for good.
Operating under the influence is a serious crime, and one that carries significant stigma in our society. If you are dealing with OVWI shame, it’s important to get the help you need to move on. Try to let this be a lesson for you, or a motivator to make positive changes in your life. Take responsibility for your actions, but try not to let your charge define your life. Forgive yourself, and use your experience positively by advocating against driving under the influence. The shame of an OVWI charge can last a long time, but your legal woes don’t have to. If you are facing charges for driving while intoxicated, contact Attorney Paul Kaushal with Kaushal Law, LLC to better understand your legal rights. Paul will use every resource available to help you build a case to improve your legal situation. If you are in the Indianapolis, Kokomo, Noblesville, or central Indiana area call Kaushal Law, LLC for your free consultation. Hopefully, you’ll be able to use your experience as a motivator to change unhealthy behaviors and be able to move forward by giving yourself some grace.
