Alcohol addiction and alcoholism affects many residents in New Mexico. Alcohol addiction has found its way into many communities in the area and the state continues to struggle with this problem. The need for an alcohol rehab in the area has never been greater.

Alcohol treatment and alcohol rehabilitation in New Mexico is an answer that works, and can help resolve these issues. Alcohol Rehab and treatment facilities in New Mexico are experienced in handling even the toughest cases of alcohol addiction, and can provide individuals with counseling and other services in the course of their recovery to discover the causes of their addiction. Step by step, the knowledge and abilities gained in rehab will produce a stronger individual who can confront life's problems and not use alcohol as a crutch.

As with many addictive substances, long-term regular abuse of alcohol makes individuals physically dependant to it. This physical dependence causes physical withdrawal when they suddenly quit drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can be mild or extreme, depending on the severity of abuse. It can last for days or weeks and can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. In the most severe cases withdrawal is potentially deadly. With help and support from an alcohol rehab facility in New Mexico, withdrawal can be safely done, with the end result being the individual started on their road to a full recovery.

Alcohol rehab options in New Mexico vary depending on individual needs. There are Long-term Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs, Outpatient Alcohol Rehabs, Short-term Alcohol Rehab Centers, Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Facilities, support group meetings, alcohol counseling, halfway houses and sober living.

Don't let alcohol addiction steal your dreams and happiness. Get the help you need and seek alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in New Mexico.

New Mexico 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 New Mexico, the percentage of fatalities that were alcohol related peaked in 1988 with 68% of all traffic deaths, and reached the lowest level in 2006, with 32%. The actual number of alcohol-related deaths peaked in 1982 with 375, and the lowest number was reported in 2008, with 118. The overall trend is down for both the percentage and the actual number of alcohol related fatalities.

The table below shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the New Mexico, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+). 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 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.

It is important to note that the New Mexico 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."

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 New Mexico?

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in New Mexico

• A first-time offender in New Mexico faces imprisonment of up to 90 days, a fine of up to $500, or both. These offenders are also required to perform 24 to 48 hours of community service work. They may also be required to pay an additional fine of $300. First-time offenders must also complete a screening program and attend a driver rehabilitation program for alcohol. The driver's license revocation period is one year.
• A person who commits a second DWI in New Mexico faces imprisonment of up to 364 days, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. At a minimum, the offender will be required to serve 96 hours in jail and pay a fine of $500. In addition, 48 hours of community service work is required. Those who commit a second offense are also required to participate in and complete one of the following: not less than 28 days in an in-patient, residential or in-custody substance abuse program; not less than 90 days in an out-patient treatment program; a drug court program; or any other substance abuse treatment program ordered by the judge. The driver's license revocation period is two years.
• A person who commits a third DWI in New Mexico faces imprisonment of up to 364 days, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. At a minimum, the offender will be required to serve 30 days in jail and pay a $750 fine. Those who commit a third offense are also required to participate in and complete one of the following: not less than 28 days in an in-patient, residential or in-custody substance abuse program; not less than 90 days in an out-patient treatment program; a drug court program; or any other substance abuse treatment program ordered by the judge. The driver's license revocation period is three years.
• A person who commits a fourth DWI in New Mexico will be sentenced to six to 18 months in prison. Fourth-time offenders are also subject to pay a fine of up to $5,000. The driver's license revocation period is for life, subject to a five-year review.
• A person who commits a fifth DWI in New Mexico will be sentenced to one to two years in prison. Fifth-time offenders are also subject to pay a fine of up to $5,000. The driver's license revocation period is for life, subject to a five-year review.
• A person who commits a sixth DWI in New Mexico will be sentenced to 18 to 30 months in prison. Sixth-time offenders are also subject to pay a fine of up to $5,000. The driver's license revocation period is for life, subject to a five-year review.
• A person who commits a seventh DWI in New Mexico will be sentenced to two to three years in prison. Seventh-time offenders are also subject to pay a fine of up to $5,000. The driver's license revocation period is for life, subject to a five-year review.

Additional Penalties for Aggravated DWI in New Mexico

A person commits an aggravated DWI in New Mexico when he or she has a BAC of .16 or more or causes bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence. In addition to other penalties associated with New Mexico's DWI laws, the following penalties apply to those who commit an aggravated DWI:

• A first-time offender in New Mexico will be sentenced to not less than 48 hours in jail. If the offender fails to complete court-ordered community service or DWI school within specified time limits, the offender will be sentenced to an additional 48 hours in jail.
• A second-time offender in New Mexico will be sentenced to a jail term of not less than 96 hours. If the offender fails to complete court-ordered community service or a treatment program ordered by the judge, the offender will be sentenced to an additional seven days in jail.

Ignition Interlock

In addition to other penalties associated with New Mexico's DWI laws, when a person is convicted of DWI, he or she will be required to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an ignition interlock device installed on all vehicles driven by the offender following restoration of driving privileges for the following time periods:

• First-time offenders in New Mexico must use an ignition interlock device for one year.
• Second-time offenders in New Mexico must use an ignition interlock device for two years.
• Third-time offenders in New Mexico must use an ignition device for three years.
• Those who commit a fourth or subsequent DWI in New Mexico must use an ignition interlock device for the rest of their lives. These offenders, however, may apply for removal of the system five years after the date of conviction and every fives years thereafter. Removal may be ordered for good cause shown. Under New Mexico law, "good cause" may include an alcohol screening and proof from the interlock vendor that the person has not had violations of the interlock device.

Commercial Drivers

In addition to other penalties that may apply under New Mexico's DWI laws, a commercial driver will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for at least one year if a chemical test reveals he was driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04 or more or a non-commercial vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more. Additionally, a commercial driver who is convicted of driving a commercial vehicle for the first time while under the influence will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for at least one year. If, however, the driver was transporting hazardous materials at the time, the disqualification period is at least three years. A second offense will result in disqualification of the commercial license for life, which may or may not be reduced to a period of not less than 10 years.

Drivers Under 21

In addition to other penalties that may apply, a person under 21 who drives with a BAC of .02 or more faces revocation of his or her driver's license.

What is New Mexico's Tort Liability for Alcohol Liquor Sales or Service Statute?

In New Mexico, licensed drinking establishments that sell alcohol to an intoxicated person when it was reasonably apparent to the server that the person was intoxicated and the server knew that the person was intoxicated may be civilly liable for injuries suffered by third persons. This law prohibits the intoxicated person from collecting any damages against the drinking establishment for his or her own injuries, unless the establishment acted with gross negligence and reckless disregard to the safety of the intoxicated person.

This law also permits a drinking establishment in New Mexico to be liable for injuries suffered for negligently serving or selling alcohol to a minor if it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the server knew, or that a reasonable person in the same circumstances would know, that the person who received the alcohol was a minor and that the establishment's unlawful sale of alcohol was the cause of the injury.

Under this law, a social host in New Mexico can be held liable to any person for injury caused by the intoxication of a social guest if the alcohol was provided in reckless disregard to the rights of others, including the social guest.

Liability under New Mexico's Tort Liability Liquor Sales or Service Statute is limited to $50,000 for the bodily injury or death of one person in each transaction or occurrence, $100,000 for the injury or death of two or more persons in a transaction or occurrence, and $20,000 for property damage.

Selling or Giving Alcohol to a Person Under 21

In New Mexico, it is a crime for a licensed drinking establishment to sell alcohol to a person under 21. A violation of this statute subjects the drinking establishment to suspension of its liquor license and a fine of up to $10,000. In addition, the server faces up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. It is also a crime for a person to give alcohol to a minor. A person who violates this statute faces up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.