Alcoholism is increasingly becoming more of an issue in the state of Kentucky; thus increasing the need for more quality alcohol rehab facilities to be located in and around the state. Choosing an alcohol rehab can seem to be a difficult process, with so many available options in Kentucky. There are inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs, outpatient alcohol treatment, short term and long term alcohol rehab offered in Kentucky, just to name a few.

In a Kentucky outpatient alcohol treatment program, the individual that is being treated for an alcohol addiction can visit the treatment center on various days for a specific number of hours. Many alcoholics will choose this type alcohol rehabilitation in Kentucky so that they can remain close to home, but often times this is a recipe for disaster. Very few individuals from Kentucky with a severe alcohol addiction can fully benefit long term from such a limited amount of alcohol treatment. In a residential alcohol rehabilitation facility, the individual from Kentucky can reside full time at the treatment center; with this intense level of recovery care, professional support is made available around the clock.

The first step in a quality Kentucky alcohol rehab program is the alcohol detoxification; the detox process is utilized in order to safely manage the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that can occur when a person quits drinking. After detox has successfully been completed, an individual from Kentucky can then begin to focus on the various components of the alcohol treatment process; these elements of alcohol rehabilitation may include counseling, group classes, behavior modification techniques, and drug relapse prevention education. The main goal of a quality alcohol rehab program should be to enable the individual from Kentucky to successfully achieve and maintain long term sobriety.

Kentucky 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 Kentucky, the total number of traffic fatalities actually increased since 1982, however, both the number and percentage of alcohol related deaths decreased. The highest year for both was 1982. In 2008, out of all traffic fatalities, 24% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

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

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

�'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 Kentucky?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Kentucky

• Punishment for first-time offenders in Kentucky is a term of imprisonment of 48 hours to 30 days. First-time offenders must also pay a fine ranging from $200 to $500. The driver's license revocation period is 30 to 120 days.
• Those in Kentucky who commit a second offense within five years face seven days to six months in a Kentucky county jail. They must also pay a fine ranging from $350 to $500. The driver's license revocation period is 12 to 18 months.
• Those in Kentucky who commit a third offense within five years face 30 days to one year in a county jail. They must also pay a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000. The driver's license revocation period is 24 to 36 months.
• For a fourth or subsequent conviction within five years, the Kentucky offender faces a prison term of one to five years and a fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The driver's license revocation period is five years.
• Greater Mandatory Minimum Prison Terms if an "Aggravating Circumstance" is Present
• If an "aggravating circumstance" is present, the mandatory minimum prison term will be increased. "Aggravating circumstances" include speeding in excess of 30 miles per hour above the speed limit; operating a vehicle in the wrong direction on a limited access highway; operating a vehicle that causes an accident that results in death or serious physical injury; operating a vehicle with a BAC of .18 or above; refusing to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test; and operating a vehicle while transporting a passenger under 12 years of age.

Ignition Interlock

• If a person in Kentucky is convicted of a second or subsequent DUI, the judge may order that the offender's license plate be impounded. In lieu of ordering plate impoundment, the judge may order the offender to install an ignition interlock device, as follows:
• For a second conviction in a five-year period, the device must be installed after the expiration of the driver's license suspension period for six months.
• For a third conviction within a five-year period, the device must be installed after the expiration of the driver's license suspension period for 12 months.
• For a fourth or subsequent conviction in a five-year period, the device must be installed after the expiration of the driver's license suspension period for 30 months.

Commercial Drivers

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

Drivers Under 21

In addition to other penalties that may apply, if a driver under 21 drives with a BAC of at least .02 but less than .08, the driver's license revocation period is 30 days to six months. The underage offender in Kentucky will also be subject to pay a fine of $100 to $500 or be required to perform 20 hours of community service work. The offender may also be required to attend a 90-day alcohol education or treatment program in Kentucky.

If a driver under 21 in Kentucky drives with a BAC of .08 or greater, the underage offender will be subject to the DUI penalties applicable to adults.

Drivers Under 18

In addition to other penalties associated with underage DUI, if a driver under 18 in Kentucky is convicted of DUI, the minor's driver's license will be revoked until he or she reaches 18 or in accordance with the revocation laws applicable to adults, whichever penalty results in a longer revocation.

What is Kentucky's Limitation on Liability of Sellers of Intoxicating Beverages Statute?

Under Kentucky law, an intoxicated person is primarily liable for any injuries his or her intoxication causes a third person to suffer. A Kentucky drinking establishment can, however, be held secondarily liable if a reasonable person under the same or similar circumstances should have known that the person served was already intoxicated at the time of service. Kentucky courts have held that this statute clearly implies that any licensed drinking establishment that sold alcohol to an underage person will be liable for third-party injuries.

Prohibitions on Certain Alcohol Sales

Licensed drinking establishments in Kentucky are not permitted to serve minors, persons under the influence of alcohol, or anyone known to the seller to be a habitual drunkard. Penalties for a first violation include a fine of up to $250 and a term of imprisonment of up to 90 days. Second-time offenders face a fine of up to $500 and a term of imprisonment of up to 12 months.