Drink Drive rehabillitation course- worth doing?
Discussion
Towards the end of last year, I was convicted of drink driving...... bit of info..
I had been very ill, suffering from severe anxiety- well more of a full-on breakdown really with my life not seeming worth living.
Id been "self medicating" by drinking heavily and on one weekend, id got up the next morning, not feeling drunk and so I foolishly decided to drive up to the local hills to go for a walk and think. Normally, I would have had the sense of mind to have not driven at all that day but, in my troubled state I just wasn't thinking logically/sensibly.
Driving along the last bit of very narrow country lane(one vehicle width only), going about 25-30mph, what I thought was a dog (was actually a damn fox) shot out the hedge in front of me, I swerved hard and hit a tree that was in the hedgerow, which flipped my pickup semi on its side on the opposite bank hedgerow. No injuries but struggled to get out ,as my door was jammed against the tall bank. House near by call ambulance- police and rescue turn up. I am over the limit.
Very, very ashamed , angry at my self. Thank god no one else was involved.
After a very difficult couple of months afterwards, I have now completely turned my life around. I don't drink anymore (which was making/starting my anxiety in the first place). I have seriously got back into working out, cycling and general health and fitness.
So, thinking ahead, I have the option of doing the DD course. My reading also put me just into the "high risk offender" level, so will have to have a liver function test early next year to make sure I am not an alcoholic before getting licence back. The thing is, I have more than learnt my lesson now (the main thing being how I could of wrecked other peoples lives) and as I no longer drink and I am big into health/fitness, the alcohol awareness part would not be relevant to my lifestyle now. The course costs £150 and is done over 3 days, so will have to take annual leave as well.
I am not too concerned about getting my licence back earlier ( enjoying the cycling so much).
I know I am likely to take a hit at insurance time, so am I going to save more than £150 by doing the course? This seems to be the only potential benefit for doing the course now. Does anyone know for sure if its financially worth doing?
Sorry to waffle on before the main point but thought some information might explain things better.
OP, I believe that doing "the course" gives a 25% reduction in the length of one's DD disqualification... It's your choice: £150 + 3 days annual leave and any travel costs > a 25% driving ban reduction in my book (ie it's good value 
), but you seem happy to keep on cycling 
.
And fair play for having the cojones to start this thread
; I wish you well .
), but you seem happy to keep on cycling .And fair play for having the cojones to start this thread
; I wish you well .aw51 121565 said:
OP, I believe that doing "the course" gives a 25% reduction in the length of one's DD disqualification... It's your choice: £150 + 3 days annual leave and any travel costs > a 25% driving ban reduction in my book (ie it's good value ), but you seem happy to keep on cycling .
And fair play for having the cojones to start this thread ; I wish you well .
Agree with the above, you have a pair on you for starting this but very well done for turning your life around, good to hear and keep it up ), but you seem happy to keep on cycling .And fair play for having the cojones to start this thread
; I wish you well .If you think, heaven forbid, that if your life took a downward turn again you might end up drinking then take the course. Your licence is not the greatest issue here as drinking excessively can screw up more than your ability to drive. It's a sign of strength to get help, be better educated, learn something about yourself, don't see that as a weakness, even if you're ok now. The weakness was crashing your car when pissed, you can't turn that clock back. I suspect you'd only possibly regret wasting a few days if you took the course, you might regret a lot more if you didn't.
That said, the course could be rubbish, somebody else might know, and if it is then it changes the balance.
I wish you well.
That said, the course could be rubbish, somebody else might know, and if it is then it changes the balance.
I wish you well.
Thank you to those who have replied so far- and for the best wishes- much appreciated.
At work, I had to take a £7000 pay cut, as well( and I was only earning about UK average then). I work for the local authority, who always looking to reduce costs, I gave them the ideal opportunity!
Basically, i could easily have stayed doing the same job with next to no disruption but as this job had been subject to an external job evaluation 8 years ago which resulted in the increase (£5000) in salary at the time, which the management hated the four of us getting, they said they would have to drop me a grade now, as a driving licence was part of the role. Although, there would normally be someone else with me who could have done any driving, they have conveniently decided its predominantly actually a solo role (although since, the other higher grade chap they've put in my place, has another full timer with him!)
There is nothing in my contract about having a driving licence- but in a staff handbook, it does state that ;
" For employees required to drive as a condition of employment the loss of their licence (as a result of motoring offences whether committed during the course of their employment or otherwise) will normally result in the termination of employment. Loss of a licence for medical or disability reasons will be considered on a case by case basis".
There have been others in the past, here, who have lost there licence but as they were not on the higher grade like me ( even though there jobs involved more driving) and it was "different times!" they were accommodated with no salary loss!
So you could say I am lucky to still have a job(and I totally understand that) I just don't like the way that one minute they're telling me its mainly a solo job and now there are two guys covering it which means only one needs to drive!
That could be another reason for not doing the DD course so the times I might have to drive in work now, I make them wait for another 5 months for that to happen!
But, you know what, just turning my life around and feeling so much better is worth a lot more than £7000 a year!
As I mentioned, I have been enjoying the cycling but I have for some time fancied having a BMW Z4M coupe, so that COULD be in my decision to get the old licence back earlier! The money I am saving on not running a car now, would help me get an uprated exhaust to make that great engine sing!
At work, I had to take a £7000 pay cut, as well( and I was only earning about UK average then). I work for the local authority, who always looking to reduce costs, I gave them the ideal opportunity!
Basically, i could easily have stayed doing the same job with next to no disruption but as this job had been subject to an external job evaluation 8 years ago which resulted in the increase (£5000) in salary at the time, which the management hated the four of us getting, they said they would have to drop me a grade now, as a driving licence was part of the role. Although, there would normally be someone else with me who could have done any driving, they have conveniently decided its predominantly actually a solo role (although since, the other higher grade chap they've put in my place, has another full timer with him!)
There is nothing in my contract about having a driving licence- but in a staff handbook, it does state that ;
" For employees required to drive as a condition of employment the loss of their licence (as a result of motoring offences whether committed during the course of their employment or otherwise) will normally result in the termination of employment. Loss of a licence for medical or disability reasons will be considered on a case by case basis".
There have been others in the past, here, who have lost there licence but as they were not on the higher grade like me ( even though there jobs involved more driving) and it was "different times!" they were accommodated with no salary loss!
So you could say I am lucky to still have a job(and I totally understand that) I just don't like the way that one minute they're telling me its mainly a solo job and now there are two guys covering it which means only one needs to drive!
That could be another reason for not doing the DD course so the times I might have to drive in work now, I make them wait for another 5 months for that to happen!
But, you know what, just turning my life around and feeling so much better is worth a lot more than £7000 a year!
As I mentioned, I have been enjoying the cycling but I have for some time fancied having a BMW Z4M coupe, so that COULD be in my decision to get the old licence back earlier! The money I am saving on not running a car now, would help me get an uprated exhaust to make that great engine sing!
Whats the score with these rehabilitation courses? I could go out and get bladdered, wake up and drive to work and be well over, I might not touch another drop for six months, everyone has a binge every now and then. If I get caught however I am classed as an alki who needs to see a doctor before I get my licence back, why?
Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though t
t who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.
Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though t
t who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.stuart313 said:
Whats the score with these rehabilitation courses? I could go out and get bladdered, wake up and drive to work and be well over, I might not touch another drop for six months, everyone has a binge every now and then. If I get caught however I am classed as an alki who needs to see a doctor before I get my licence back, why?
Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though tt who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.
Jesus, what a belm. Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though t
t who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.stuart313 said:
Whats the score with these rehabilitation courses? I could go out and get bladdered, wake up and drive to work and be well over, I might not touch another drop for six months, everyone has a binge every now and then. If I get caught however I am classed as an alki who needs to see a doctor before I get my licence back, why?
Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though tt who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.
Can you explain the connection between drink/drive rehab course leaders and paedophiles? Is there some research linking the two groups that I have missed? Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though t
t who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.oceanview said:
Thank you to those who have replied so far- and for the best wishes- much appreciated.
At work, I had to take a £7000 pay cut, as well( and I was only earning about UK average then). I work for the local authority, who always looking to reduce costs, I gave them the ideal opportunity!
Basically, i could easily have stayed doing the same job with next to no disruption but as this job had been subject to an external job evaluation 8 years ago which resulted in the increase (£5000) in salary at the time, which the management hated the four of us getting, they said they would have to drop me a grade now, as a driving licence was part of the role. Although, there would normally be someone else with me who could have done any driving, they have conveniently decided its predominantly actually a solo role (although since, the other higher grade chap they've put in my place, has another full timer with him!)
There is nothing in my contract about having a driving licence- but in a staff handbook, it does state that ;
" For employees required to drive as a condition of employment the loss of their licence (as a result of motoring offences whether committed during the course of their employment or otherwise) will normally result in the termination of employment. Loss of a licence for medical or disability reasons will be considered on a case by case basis".
There have been others in the past, here, who have lost there licence but as they were not on the higher grade like me ( even though there jobs involved more driving) and it was "different times!" they were accommodated with no salary loss!
So you could say I am lucky to still have a job(and I totally understand that) I just don't like the way that one minute they're telling me its mainly a solo job and now there are two guys covering it which means only one needs to drive!
That could be another reason for not doing the DD course so the times I might have to drive in work now, I make them wait for another 5 months for that to happen!
But, you know what, just turning my life around and feeling so much better is worth a lot more than £7000 a year!
As I mentioned, I have been enjoying the cycling but I have for some time fancied having a BMW Z4M coupe, so that COULD be in my decision to get the old licence back earlier! The money I am saving on not running a car now, would help me get an uprated exhaust to make that great engine sing!
I think the money you are saving now will just about cover the astroniomical premium on some euro sAt work, I had to take a £7000 pay cut, as well( and I was only earning about UK average then). I work for the local authority, who always looking to reduce costs, I gave them the ideal opportunity!
Basically, i could easily have stayed doing the same job with next to no disruption but as this job had been subject to an external job evaluation 8 years ago which resulted in the increase (£5000) in salary at the time, which the management hated the four of us getting, they said they would have to drop me a grade now, as a driving licence was part of the role. Although, there would normally be someone else with me who could have done any driving, they have conveniently decided its predominantly actually a solo role (although since, the other higher grade chap they've put in my place, has another full timer with him!)
There is nothing in my contract about having a driving licence- but in a staff handbook, it does state that ;
" For employees required to drive as a condition of employment the loss of their licence (as a result of motoring offences whether committed during the course of their employment or otherwise) will normally result in the termination of employment. Loss of a licence for medical or disability reasons will be considered on a case by case basis".
There have been others in the past, here, who have lost there licence but as they were not on the higher grade like me ( even though there jobs involved more driving) and it was "different times!" they were accommodated with no salary loss!
So you could say I am lucky to still have a job(and I totally understand that) I just don't like the way that one minute they're telling me its mainly a solo job and now there are two guys covering it which means only one needs to drive!
That could be another reason for not doing the DD course so the times I might have to drive in work now, I make them wait for another 5 months for that to happen!
But, you know what, just turning my life around and feeling so much better is worth a lot more than £7000 a year!
As I mentioned, I have been enjoying the cycling but I have for some time fancied having a BMW Z4M coupe, so that COULD be in my decision to get the old licence back earlier! The money I am saving on not running a car now, would help me get an uprated exhaust to make that great engine sing!
t box car. DD convictions with points/ban are likely to limit your options for both insurers and cars for quite some time. Those that will insure you will want a hefty premium. Reducing your ban length taking the course might help on the insurance front. What did you blow & how long did they ban you for? 'High risk' is usually 87.5mg+ Its fantastic you have worked hard to turn yourself around but come insurance time you are going to get reminded again and again of your mistake.Edited by shep1001 on Monday 4th May 01:24
TwigtheWonderkid said:
stuart313 said:
Whats the score with these rehabilitation courses? I could go out and get bladdered, wake up and drive to work and be well over, I might not touch another drop for six months, everyone has a binge every now and then. If I get caught however I am classed as an alki who needs to see a doctor before I get my licence back, why?
Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though tt who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.
Can you explain the connection between drink/drive rehab course leaders and paedophiles? Is there some research linking the two groups that I have missed? Also personally I would not do the course. Cant imagine spending time in a room getting a lecture of some holier than though t
t who is probably slipping one up a kid or something.sday12 said:
As for rehabilitation, this course is terrible, a tick box experience full of people that don't want to be there.
Is that based on knowledge?Its easy for people to say "you seem to be ok now" or "you've got your life back on track" but life doesn't stay that way. None of us are qualified to comment on the OPs case of what he needs as we don't know him, we can only comment on the courses and options available. If the course if terrible then fine - avoid. I'm curious why you think it is. And if it is, then maybe find another course.
I'll give an example, my father in law is a diabetic and was recommended to go on a course to support those with long term medical illnesses. First time he dismissed it because "I haven't got a long term medical condition, I'm just diabetic". Then he went and said "no point, there's someone with addiction problems and others self harming, I'm nothing like that". And I had some sympathy. And while the course was 90% rubbish to him, a penny dropped that his health was responsibility and letting his blood sugar levels get too high was his responsibility etc.. I guess all I'm saying is that if its your health, both physical and/or mental that's at stake, don't be too proud to get help.
Just a little bit of info. The course will cut the period of disqualification by a small amount poss 6/12 BUT by your own admission you have got into the 'High Risk Offenders' category. This is an additional hurdle to getting the licence back. It involves costs, a medical and a blood test (not a liver function test these days). This can take a good few months to do and process, wiping out the benefit of the reduction in disqualification time.
These days you can't drive while the tests are being organised & done, this was the case a few years ago.
These days you can't drive while the tests are being organised & done, this was the case a few years ago.
voyds9 said:
If you get your licence back will your employers re-instate your previous grade?
Might be worth getting licence back but not getting a car.
This was one of my first questions to them. They've more or less said that I wont as I have been re-deployed and not "my" job to have back.Might be worth getting licence back but not getting a car.
This is basically just a cop out, as really its all about taking another person off the higher grade. I am sure if id been on the lower grade before, then id still be doing the same job.
There are only two employees left on the higher grade now and one of them retires late next year, so then just the one guy to pay the higher wage bill for- the management will be chuffed!
Bone Rat said:
Just a little bit of info. The course will cut the period of disqualification by a small amount poss 6/12 BUT by your own admission you have got into the 'High Risk Offenders' category. This is an additional hurdle to getting the licence back. It involves costs, a medical and a blood test (not a liver function test these days). This can take a good few months to do and process, wiping out the benefit of the reduction in disqualification time.
These days you can't drive while the tests are being organised & done, this was the case a few years ago.
Thanks for the post but with reference to the medical, they send you an application for it, 90 days before disqualification ends- so if I do complete the course before the potential reduction time then I could still get my licence back in time even with the reductionThese days you can't drive while the tests are being organised & done, this was the case a few years ago.
In my case; If I don't do the course then my disqualification ends 09/2016, so they will contact me about the medical from 06/2016.
However, if I complete the course before the end of this year, this will entitle me to get my licence back 04/2016, so in which case they would contact me from 01/2016 so the medical tests can be completed in time.
Looking at the information I have about the medical, the assessment will involve;
filling in a medical questionnaire about your medical history and how much alcohol you drink
a physical examination
a urine test and blood tests.
They also say that you wont be able to get your licence back if the medical assessment find evidence of;
Persistent alcohol misuse within the past six months ( that would probably be half the population then!)
or dependence within the past 12 months, or
current misuse or dependence.
I was never a regular heavy drinker ( only when suffering the severe anxiety) and as i've given up alcohol completely now and it will be 12 months(or nearly) by then , should be just a formality for me.
I had routine blood and urine tests done last year and they were fine but I am planning to go back to my GP'S and get them to do a "pre-test" if you like!
As regards to the insurance premium increases, a friend of a friend who had a DD conviction a couple of years back, had his insurance on a commercial pickup truck increase by £300- that doesn't sound bad to me over a year.
.
oceanview said:
This was one of my first questions to them. They've more or less said that I wont as I have been re-deployed and not "my" job to have back.
This is basically just a cop out, as really its all about taking another person off the higher grade. I am sure if id been on the lower grade before, then id still be doing the same job.
There are only two employees left on the higher grade now and one of them retires late next year, so then just the one guy to pay the higher wage bill for- the management will be chuffed!
To be quite honest OP, you sound like someone who is trying to blame others for your misfortune. You gave your employer a reasonable excuse to do what they have but don't see it. If they thought much of you, they would've bent over to help you. Perhaps it's not them?This is basically just a cop out, as really its all about taking another person off the higher grade. I am sure if id been on the lower grade before, then id still be doing the same job.
There are only two employees left on the higher grade now and one of them retires late next year, so then just the one guy to pay the higher wage bill for- the management will be chuffed!
Your complete disregard for drink driving laws and dismissal of a rehab course suggests that you don't actually care one way or another.
You have separated yourself from any responsibility haven't you?
I'm not buying for a second, this fanciful story about 'suddenly finding myself over the limit'
Man up. YOU are the one to blame for your current predicament. No one else.
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