Alcohol addiction and alcoholism are an unfortunate reality for thousands of individuals in North Dakota, and many communities struggle with this problem. The need for alcohol rehabs and treatment in North Carolina has never been greater.

Alcohol rehab and alcohol treatment in North Dakota is a workable option for someone battling an addiction to alcohol. Staff at an alcohol rehab facility in North Dakota know the effort it takes to overcome any addiction, and have the knowledge and training to help individuals get through pretty much any barrier to achieve their goal of sobriety. Individuals seeking alcohol treatment in North Dakota can take advantage of the counseling and other tools available in treatment to discover the causes of their addiction. They can then apply these tools and abilities gained to prevent relapse, as similar situations will surely pop up in life.

People in North Dakota who have been addicted to alcohol for an extended period of time will most often experience physical withdrawal when they suddenly quit drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the severity of the individual's addiction to alcohol, and can be quite severe. This is one of the reasons individuals find it so hard to stop drinking in the first place. In some cases withdrawal can be fatal. Withdrawal can be overcome, but it is extremely important that individuals in North Dakota get the help they need in an alcohol rehab to get through it successfully.

There are a variety of alcohol rehabilitation and treatment options available in North Dakota. You can choose from Long-term Alcohol Rehab Programs, Outpatient Alcohol Rehabs, Short-term Alcohol Rehab Centers, Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Facilities, support group meetings, alcohol counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

It is your choice to continue or end your addiction to alcohol. Seek alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in North Dakota, before it is too late.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota, as with many states, the drunk driving fatalities were highest in the first few years that data collection started. Alcohol related deaths peaked in 1982, with 97, which represents 66% of the total traffic fatalities that year and the highest percentage in those twenty years. 1989 showed the lowest number of alcohol-related fatalities, with 38. From the most recent statistics, out of all traffic fatalities, 46% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

The table below shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the North Dakota, 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 North Dakota 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.

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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in North Dakota

• A first-time offender in North Dakota faces up to 30 days in prison, a fine of $250 to $1,000, or both. A first-time offender will also be ordered to undergo an addiction evaluation. If the offender's BAC was .08 but less than .18, the driver's license suspension period is 90 days. If the offender's BAC was .18 or greater, the suspension period is 180 days.
• A person who commits a second DUI in North Dakota within five years faces five to 30 days in prison or 30 days of community service. The offender is also subject to pay a fine of $500 to $1,000. A second-time offender must undergo an addiction evaluation. If the offender's BAC was under .18, the driver's license suspension period is 365 days. If the offender's BAC was .18 or greater, the suspension period is two years.
• A person who commits a third DUI in North Dakota within five years faces 60 days to one year in prison. These offenders will also be fined $1,000 to $2,000 and ordered to undergo an addiction evaluation. If the offender's BAC was under .18, the driver's license suspension period is two years. If the offender's BAC was .18 or greater, the suspension period is three years.
• A person who commits a fourth offense in North Dakota within seven years faces 180 days to one year in prison. These offenders will also be fined $1,000 to $2,000 and ordered to undergo an addiction evaluation. The driver's license suspension period is three years.
• A person who commits a fifth or subsequent offense in North Dakota faces 180 days to five years in prison. These offenders will also be fined $1,000 to $5,000 and ordered to undergo an addiction evaluation. The driver's license suspension period is three years.

Special Punishment for Causing Injury or Death While Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol

If a person commits a DUI in North Dakota that causes serious injury or death to another, the offender must be sentenced to at least one year in prison. If the offender is at least 18 but not yet 21, the prison term is at least 90 days. If the offender is under 18, he or she will be prosecuted under North Dakota's Uniform Juvenile Court Act.

Penalty for DUI While Being Accompanied by a Minor

A person who is at least 21 and commits a DUI in North Dakota while a minor was in the vehicle faces up to one year in prison, a $2,000 fine, or both.

Ignition Interlock

In addition to other penalties associated with North Dakota's DUI laws, a judge may require that an ignition interlock device be installed in the offender's vehicle for a period of time that the judge finds appropriate.

Commercial Drivers

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

Drivers Under 18

Drivers under 18 who commit a DUI in North Dakota will be prosecuted under the state's Uniform Juvenile Court Act. The driver's license suspension periods applicable to adults apply to all drivers, regardless of age.

What is North Dakota's Claim for Relief for Fault Resulting from Intoxication Statute?

This statute creates a cause of action for damages for personal injuries caused by intoxication against any person who knowingly provides alcohol to a minor or to an obviously intoxicated person. Damages are measured in proportion to fault. Under this statute, neither the intoxicated person nor an adult passenger in a car driven by the intoxicated person can file suit.

Criminal Penalty for Delivering Alcohol to Minor or to an Obviously Intoxicated Person

In North Dakota, it is a crime to provide alcohol to a person under 21 or to an obviously intoxicated person. A person who violates this law is subject to up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.