The state of Tennessee is afflicted with the serious problem of alcohol addiction and alcoholism. Alcohol addiction has devastating effects anywhere it is present, and this is no exception in the communities of Tennessee. The need for alcohol rehab and alcohol treatment in the area has never been greater.

Alcohol treatment and alcohol rehabilitation in Tennessee offers individuals who are struggling with alcohol addiction and alcoholism a real answer to the problems they have been dealing with. Alcohol Rehabs in Tennessee gives individuals hope that a real change can be made. An important aspect of recovery is to discover how they became addicted to alcohol in the first place. Effective alcohol rehab and alcohol treatment in Tennessee helps individuals do just that, and gives them the power and tools to begin making the right choices in their lives. Individuals can then begin setting positive goals and making the important things in life count.

For individuals in Tennessee who have had a long-term addiction to alcohol, physical withdrawal will most likely occur when they suddenly quit drinking alcohol. Withdrawal is an extremely tough and painful process to go through, and in rare cases can be fatal. It is important that individuals in Tennessee who do seek treatment get the help they need to get through this process. An alcohol rehab can successfully get them through withdrawal and onto their next steps of treatment.

Alcohol Rehab Programs in Tennessee vary depending on individual needs. Alcohol treatment and rehabilitation options in Tennessee include Long-term Alcohol Rehab Programs, Outpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation, Short-term Alcohol Treatment Centers, Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Facilities, support group meetings, alcohol counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

Put an end to the deadly cycle of alcohol addiction and alcoholism for you or someone you care about. Seek alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in Tennessee today, before it is too late.

Tennessee 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 Tennessee, 686 people died in alcohol related traffic accidents in 1986, which was the highest number in the last twenty two years. Deaths have since plunged to 386 in 2008. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related was highest in 1982, with 63%, and reached the lowest levels from 2005 through 2008, with 37%. For the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 32% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 57% in 1982.

The table below shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Tennessee, 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 Tennessee drunk driving statistics, as shown above, 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."

All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to driving 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 [a motor vehicle] while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a Tennessee 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.

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 Tennessee?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Tennessee

• A first-time offender in Tennessee faces confinement in a county jail or workhouse for a minimum confinement of 24 hours and a maximum confinement of 11 months and 29 days. As a condition of probation, the offender will be required to remove litter from state highways in three shifts of eight hours. When removing litter, the offender must wear a blaze orange or other distinctively-colored vest with the words, "I AM A DRUNK DRIVER," stenciled or written on the back of the vest in letters no less than four inches high. The offender will also be fined between $350 and $1,500. The driver's license revocation period is one year. If a first-time offender had a BAC of .20 or more, a minimum confinement period of seven days is required.
• For a second conviction in Tennessee within 10 years, the offender faces a minimum confinement in a workhouse of 45 days and a maximum confinement of 11 months and 29 days. The offender will also be fined between $600 and $3,500. The driver's license revocation period is two years. A judge may also sentence the offender to participate in an alcohol treatment program for up to 28 days.
• For a third conviction in Tennessee within 10 years, the offender faces a minimum confinement in a county jail or workhouse of 120 days and a maximum confinement of 11 months and 29 days. The offender will also be fined between $1,100 and $10,000. The driver's license revocation period is three to 10 years.
• For a fourth or subsequent conviction in Tennessee within 10 years, the offender faces a minimum confinement of 150 days and a maximum confinement of six years. The fine is between $3,000 and $15,000. The driver's license revocation period is five years.

Enhanced Penalties for DUI in Tennessee when Accompanied by a Child Under 18

In addition to other penalties that may be imposed, a person who commits a DUI in Tennessee while a child under 18 was in the vehicle will be incarcerated for at least 30 days and fined at least $1,000. If, however, the child suffers serious bodily, the offender will be incarcerated for two to 12 years and fined up to $5,000. If the child is killed, the offender will be incarcerated for three to 15 years and fined up to $10,000.

Ignition Interlock

The sentencing judge may order any DUI offender to operate only a motor vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock device for up to one year after the driver's license revocation period expires. If the offender had a prior DUI conviction within five years, the offender must operate only a motor vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock device for at least six months.

Commercial Drivers

In addition to other penalties that may apply under Tennessee's DUI laws, a commercial driver who commits a first DUI while driving a commercial vehicle will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for at least one year. If, however, the driver was operating a commercial vehicle and transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification period is three years. A commercial driver who commits a second DUI while driving a commercial vehicle will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for life, which may or may not be reduced to a period of not less than 10 years.

Drivers Under 21

Drivers under 21 commit underage DUI in Tennessee when they drive with a BAC of .02 or more. An offender who is 18 but under 21 and whose BAC measured .02 but less than .08 will be fined $250. The driver's license suspension period is one year. As additional punishment, the sentencing judge may impose community service work. If, however, the underage offender's BAC was .08 or more, the offender faces confinement in a county jail or workhouse for 48 hours to 11 months and 29 days. As a condition of probation, the offender will be required to remove litter from state highways in three shifts of eight hours. When removing litter, the offender is required to wear a blaze orange or other distinctively-colored vest with the words, "I AM A DRUNK DRIVER," stenciled or written on the back of the vest in letters no less than four inches high.

The crime of "delinquent underage DUI" applies to children 16 but under 18 and is punishable by a driver's license suspension of one year and a fine of $250. As additional punishment, the judge may impose public service work.

What is Tennessee's Dram Shop Act?

Under Tennessee's Dram Shop Act, a licensed drinking establishment may be liable to pay money damages for personal injuries caused by intoxication if the establishment sold alcohol to a person known to be under 21 or to an obviously intoxicated person and it is shown that the sale and consumption of that liquor caused the injury.

Criminal Liability for Selling Alcohol to Minors

It is a crime for a licensed drinking establishment in Tennessee to sell alcohol to persons under 21. For a first offense, violators are subject to a fine of $500 to $1,000 and 30 days to six months in prison. For a second offense, violators are subject to a fine of up to $3,000 and one to six years in prison. Second-time offenders will also have their liquor licenses permanently revoked.

Criminal Liability for Furnishing Alcohol to Minors

It is a crime for a person to furnish alcohol to a person under 21. Violators face up to 11 months and 29 days in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. These offenders will also be required to perform 100 hours of community service work.