Pennsylvania is one of many states that is afflicted with the serious problem of alcohol addiction and alcoholism. Alcohol addiction destroys lives and homes in the communities of Pennsylvania, and the need for alcohol rehab in the area has never been greater.

Alcohol treatment and alcohol rehabilitation in Pennsylvania gives individuals who are struggling with alcohol addiction and alcoholism a second chance for the future. Caring specialists at alcohol rehab facilities know what individuals are up against when they attempt to overcome alcohol addiction, and are prepared to assist them in any way. To ensure a lasting recovery, individuals can take the opportunity to assess what may have caused their addiction. This will prevent future relapse and set the individual up for a hopeful future. Effective alcohol treatment and alcohol rehab in Pennsylvania puts individuals in a position to take back control of their life.

Individuals in Pennsylvania who are long-term alcoholics will likely experience physical withdrawal when they suddenly quit drinking alcohol. Withdrawal is a serious matter, and can be an extremely tough and painful process to endure. In some cases withdrawal could be fatal. This is why it is extremely important that individuals in Pennsylvania who want to end their addiction to alcohol get the help they need to get through this process. Alcohol rehab facilities in Pennsylvania have helped countless numbers of individuals through withdrawal and can help you too.

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

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for someone struggling with alcohol addiction and alcoholism. Seek alcohol rehabilitation in Pennsylvania, and get help.

Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania's alcohol-related fatalities were highest in 1982, with 1,048, dropped for a few years and then increased to nearly the same level in both 1986 and 1987. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related was also highest in 1982, with 58%, and steadily dropped, reaching its lowest level in 2006, with 37%. In the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 34% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 52% in 1982.

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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." The fatality rates shown above 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 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 Pennsylvania?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Pennsylvania

• Driver's License Suspension and Revocation Periods
• When a person is convicted of DUI in Pennsylvania with a BAC of less than .10, there is no driver's license suspension period for the first offense. Those who commit a DUI with a BAC level of .10 or higher, as well as those who have one or two previous DUI convictions are subject to a grading system that will determine the license suspension period, which ranges between 12 and 18 months. A person who has three DUI convictions, however, is a habitual offender and will have his or her driver's license revoked for five years. Each additional offense within a period of five years of a previous offense will result in an additional two-year revocation.
• Penalties for General Impairment
• In Pennsylvania, a driver is "generally impaired" if his or her BAC level is at least .08 but less than .10. Those who are convicted of DUI while generally impaired face the following penalties:
• A first-time offender in Pennsylvania must undergo a mandatory minimum term of six months probation; pay a $300 fine; attend an alcohol highway safety school; and comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A second-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least five days; must pay a fine between $300 and $2,500; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• For a third or subsequent violation in Pennsylvania, the offender will be imprisoned for at least 10 days; must pay a fine between $500 and $5,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• Penalties for High Rate of Blood Alcohol
• A driver in Pennsylvania has a "high rate of blood alcohol" when the individual's alcohol concentration is at least .10 but less than .16. Those who are convicted of DUI with a high rate of alcohol face the following penalties:
• A first-time offender in Pennsylvania must undergo a mandatory minimum prison term of not less than 48 hours; must pay a fine between $500 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A second-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 30 days; must pay a fine between $750 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A third-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 90 days; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• For a fourth or subsequent violation in Pennsylvania, the offender will be imprisoned for at least one year; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• Penalties for Highest Rate of Blood Alcohol
• A driver has the "highest rate of blood alcohol" when the individual's alcohol concentration is .16 or higher. Those who are convicted of DUI with the highest rate of alcohol face the following penalties:
• A first-time offender in Pennsylvania must undergo a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than 72 hours; must pay a fine between $1,000 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A second-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 90 days; must pay a fine of at least $1,500; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• For a third or subsequent violation in Pennsylvania, the offender will be imprisoned for at least one year; must pay a fine of at least $2,500; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• Special Penalties for Drunk Driving with a High Rate of Blood Alcohol that Causes Bodily Injury, Vehicle Damage, or Property Damage
• When a drunk driver operates a vehicle with a high rate of alcohol and causes bodily injury, vehicle damage, or property damage, the following penalties apply:
• A first-time offender in Pennsylvania must undergo a mandatory minimum prison term of not less than 48 hours; must pay a fine between $500 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school, and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A second-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 30 days; must pay a fine between $750 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A third-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 90 days; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• For a fourth or subsequent violation, the offender will be imprisoned for at least one year; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• Special Penalties for Commercial Vehicle and School Bus Drivers
• When a commercial vehicle operator or a school bus driver commit a DUI, the following penalties apply:
• A first-time offender in Pennsylvania must undergo a mandatory minimum prison term of not less than 48 hours; pay a fine between $500 and $5,000; attend an alcohol highway safety school, and comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A second-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 30 days; must pay a fine between $750 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A third-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 90 days; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• For a fourth or subsequent violation, the offender must be imprisoned for at least one year; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service work.
• Where the driver was a commercial driver at the time of the violation, the driver will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year for the first offense. If, however, the driver was transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification period is three years. A second-time offender in Pennsylvania 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.
• Special Penalties for Minors
• All drivers under 21 who commit a DUI in Pennsylvania are subject to an automatic six-month driver's license suspension, regardless of age. Drivers under 18 who commit a DUI will be punished under Pennsylvania's Juvenile Act. Punishment under that Act may include a term of probation, committing the child to an institution, and/or ordering the child to pay a reasonable fine.
• A drunk driver who is at least 18 but under 21 faces the following penalties:
• A first-time offender in Pennsylvania must undergo a mandatory minimum prison term of not less than 48 hours; must pay a fine between $500 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A second-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 30 days; must pay a fine between $750 and $5,000; must attend an alcohol highway safety school; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• A third-time offender in Pennsylvania will be imprisoned for at least 90 days; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.
• For a fourth or subsequent violation, the offender must be imprisoned for at least one year; must pay a fine between $1,500 and $10,000; and must comply with all drug and alcohol treatment requirements imposed by the sentencing judge. The judge may also impose up to 150 hours of community service.

Ignition Interlock

• A person who commits a second DUI in Pennsylvania within 10 years of the first offense will be required to apply for an ignition interlock restricted license. The license may be issued following the driver's license suspension period. After one year, the offender may apply for a replacement license that does not contain the ignition interlock restriction.

Additional Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Laws

• What is Pennsylvania's Dram Shop Statute? Under this statute, a licensed drinking establishment in Pennsylvania can be held liable for injuries caused by intoxication if the establishment served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or to a minor.

What is Pennsylvania's Social Host Law?

• Under Pennsylvania common law, adults who serve alcohol at private functions are "social hosts." If a social host serves alcohol to a minor and the minor is injured or the minor injures someone else because of intoxication, the social host may be liable to pay money damages to the injured person. Social host liability only applies to adults who serve alcohol to minors. Pennsylvania law holds that adults are responsible for the consequences of their own drinking.