The growing alcohol addiction problem in Idaho has created a dire need for more quality alcohol rehab centers to be located in and around the state. Most people that live in Idaho cannot successfully overcome an alcoholism problem without professional alcohol rehabilitation. Just sorting out the descriptions of the various kinds of alcohol rehabilitation options such as residential, inpatient, outpatient, short term or holistic, can be confusing if an individual from Idaho is not familiar with these terms. In order to be effective, an Idaho alcohol treatment facility must include all of the various rehabilitation components that are necessary to address every aspect of the alcohol addiction.

The first step in an Idaho alcohol rehab program is the detoxification process. During this period, an individual from Idaho may begin to experience uncomfortable alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and the goal of any quality alcohol rehab facility is to help to minimize this discomfort. It is only after a person has successfully completed the alcohol detox process, that they can be fully present for the remainder of the alcohol treatment process; these treatment components may include individual counseling or group sessions. Finally, one of the most important goals of an Idaho alcohol rehab program is to be able to help the individual to avoid an alcohol relapse, by incorporating relapse prevention education into their alcohol rehabilitation.

Alcohol addiction may appear to totally destroy an individual's life; but their redeeming qualities can be restored with the help of a quality Idaho alcohol rehab center. Surrendering to the alcohol rehabilitation process is all that is required for an individual from Idaho to finally break free from alcoholism.

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

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Idaho

• A first-time offender in Idaho faces up to six months in jail and is subject to pay a fine of up to $1,000. The driver's license suspension period is 30 days. After 30 days have passed, the offender's driving privileges will be suspended for an additional 60 to 150 days during which time the offender may request restricted driving privileges if he or she can show that driving is necessary for employment or family health needs.
• A second-time offender in Idaho who is convicted of DUI within 10 years of the first conviction faces up to one year in prison and is subject to pay a fine of up to $2,000. Driving privileges will be suspended for a mandatory minimum period of one year after release from confinement. Following the license suspension period, the offender will be required to drive only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system for a time period specified by the sentencing judge.
• A person in Idaho who is convicted of DUI for a third or subsequent time within a 10-year period faces up to 10 years in prison and is subject to pay a fine of up to $5,000.
• Driving privileges will be suspended from one to five years. Following the license suspension period, the offender in Idaho will be required to drive only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system for a time period specified by the sentencing judge.

Enhanced Penalties in Idaho for Excessive BAC

• A first-time offender in Idaho whose BAC was .20 or more faces a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,000. Driving privileges will be suspended for an additional mandatory minimum of one year after release from confinement.
• A second-time offender in Idaho whose BAC was .20 or more and who was previously convicted of DUI with an excessive BAC of .20 or more within a five-year period faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. Driving privileges will be suspended from one to five years. Following the license suspension period, the offender will be required to drive only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system for a time period specified by the sentencing judge.

Enhanced Penalties in Idaho for Aggravated DUI

If a drunk driver in Idaho causes another person to suffer great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement, the driver will be sentenced under Idaho's aggravated DUI statute. Under that statute, the offender faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Following incarceration, the offender's driver's license will be suspended for one to five years. In addition, the offender will be required to pay restitution to the victim.

Commercial Drivers

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

Idaho Drivers Under 21 with a BAC of Less Than .08

• First-time offenders in Idaho will be fined $1,000. The driver's license suspension period is one year. After the suspension period expires, the underage offender may request restricted driving privileges. First-time underage DUI offenders in Idaho must also undergo an alcohol evaluation.
• An underage person who commits a second DUI in Idaho faces up to 30 days in jail. At least five days must be served. The fine ranges between $500 and $2,000. There is a mandatory driver's license suspension of one year, but the suspension could be as long as two years. After the suspension period, the offender will be required to drive only a vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock system for a time period specified by the sentencing judge. These offenders must also undergo an alcohol evaluation.
• A third or subsequent violation subjects the underage offender to up to six months in jail. At least 10 days must be served. The fine ranges between $1,000 and $2,000. The driver's license suspension period is at least one year or until the person reaches 21, whichever period is greater. Following the suspension period, the offender will be required to drive only a vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock system for a time period specified by the sentencing judge. These offenders must also undergo an Idaho alcohol evaluation.
• Although the above penalties apply to Idaho drivers under 21 with a BAC of less than .08, nothing prevents them from being penalized under the Juvenile Corrections Act or the laws applied to drivers 21 and older. If the offender is penalized under the Juvenile Corrections Act or the law applied to those 21 and older, the driver will receive an additional driver's license suspension of one year or until the offender reaches 21, whichever period is greater.

What is Idaho's Dram Shop and Social Host Statute?

Under Idaho law, a person who is injured by an intoxicated person may file suit against the drinking establishment or person who sold or furnished the alcohol if the person causing the injury was under 21 and the seller or provider of the alcohol knew or should have known that the person was underage or if the person causing the injury was obviously drunk at the time the alcohol was sold or furnished and the seller or provider knew or should have known that the person was obviously drunk. This statute does not permit the intoxicated person to file suit for injuries he sustained because of his own intoxication. It also prohibits a person who was a passenger in an automobile driven by an intoxicated person to bring suit against the establishment or person who sold or provided the alcohol. Additionally, this law requires the injured person to notify the establishment or person who sold or furnished the alcohol to the intoxicated person within 180 days from the date of the injury by certified mail that suit will be filed.

What is Idaho's "Dispensing to a Person under the Age of 21" Statute?

Under this statute, it is a crime for a person who is 18 or older in Idaho to sell or furnish alcohol to a person under 21. A first-time violator faces a jail term of up to one year, a fine ranging between $500 and $1,000, or both. For a second or subsequent violation, the offender faces a jail term of up to one year, a fine ranging between $1,000 and $2,000, or both. If a licensed Idaho drinking establishment violates this statute, the business may have its liquor license suspended for up to six months.

What is Idaho's "Dispensing to Drunk" Statute?

Under this statute, it is a crime for a person in Idaho to sell or give alcohol to a person who is intoxicated. A person who violates this statute faces up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.