Nova Recovery Center

Alcohol Abuse

Why Driving Under Influence is More Dangerous Than You Think

Excellent 4.6 out of 5 434 Google reviews across our locations

  • The Joint Commission
  • NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals
  • Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP)

Written by

Anna-Grace Washington

Medical Content Writer

Medically reviewed by

Dr. William J. McCreight III, MD

Medical Director, 2019–2024

Published August 25, 2022

Reviewed and updated June 12, 2025

Rearview mirror with a man hit by a car, car accident concept

Driving while under the influence of drugs like alcohol or marijuana is problematic, for both the user and the other people who might come along the way. There are also cases of people under the influence of prescription drugs while driving.

The drugs, by definition, alter the state of your mind and leave you with a wrong sense of judgment. And, in a chaotic condition such as a road with traffic, this could mean serious dangers for you and the people who travel with you.

Driving Under Influence is Deadly to Yourself & Others

Driving under influence is particularly harmful to the passengers, for they have no control of the vehicle while the person supposed to have control is not thinking clearly. Drugs tend to slow down the way you process your sensory inputs. It blurs your vision, and it causes dizziness too. You will feel disoriented, and your reaction time gets so slow that in an event of an emergency, you will most likely panic more, and give up trying to evade the incoming accident.

Also, you tend to weave in and out of lanes, thereby confusing the other drivers on the road and leading to crashes.

Alcohol Addiction Causes More Than 40% of Fatalities in Accidents

In a study back in 2017, it was reported that 43.6 percent of people killed in driving accidents in the US, tested positive for drugs. Over 50.5 percent were on two or more drugs, and about 40.7 percent tested positive for alcohol.

Most of these accidents could have been avoided if the people had a clear mind and a good focus while they drove. When the whole point of using drugs is to lose focus, how is it going to help you gain more focus while you drive?

A Good Detox Can Save Lives

What can be done is you can stop your drug abuse slowly. If you are into regular driving, you should consider having a detox, as soon as possible. Most drug-addicted people tend to think they can flush the drugs out from their bodies, through a slow detox from their homes. But this doesn’t go as well as they planned.

Detox is a slow process and you could face uncomfortable periods of body aches and other withdrawal symptoms. In turn, you could end up with the drugs again sooner than you think.

This is why you need to enroll yourself in a detox center. These centers provide an isolated space for you to slowly come out of these habits, all the while you control your withdrawal symptoms.

How Nova Recovery Center Helps you in Detox

At Nova Recovery Center, Houston we provide our patients with a very comfortable detox process, where they will be monitored round the clock by trained professionals. You will be provided with all the medications you need to combat the withdrawal symptoms. You will then be enrolled in the in-patient recovery program where you’ll learn to stay away from drugs, through counseling, group therapy, and so on.

Nova Recovery Center is committed to helping you overcome your addiction so you can get back to school with confidence. If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction, Nova Recovery Center can provide support. We have locations in Austin, Houston, and Wimberley Texas. Call today to begin your journey in recovery at (512) 605-2955.

What clients say

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Across Nova Recovery Center, Briarwood Detox Center and Eudaimonia Recovery Homes

  • ★★★★★

    “Nova is far from perfect, and some of the information can be misleading. But if you want to cover the 12 Steps while enjoying good food and a beautiful scenic view, this is the place for you. The…”

    Wade III

    10 months ago · Wimberley

  • ★★★★★

    “I did 90 days at Nova Recovery 6 years ago. I am still sober today. And living a life I could have never imagined. The people and the program they are running impacted me for a lifetime. Better than…”

    megan minasi

    2 years ago · Wimberley

  • ★★★★★

    “I went to Nova almost 9 months ago and I wouldn’t change it for the world. The staff when I first entered were very nice and welcoming. As a 19 year old that didn’t know what I was getting myself…”

    Brianna Velaney

    2 years ago · Austin

  • ★★★★★

    “Nova Recovery Center has been an invaluable part of my journey to sobriety. The intensive inpatient program, coupled with the unwavering support and guidance from my recovery specialist, Mark Rector…”

    Jake Smolt

    2 years ago · Austin

  • ★★★★★

    “I had such a positive experience at Nova Recovery in Wimberley! The staff genuinely cares and went above and beyond to support me every step of the way. The peaceful setting made it easier to focus…”

    Jeffrey Villasis

    a year ago · Wimberley

  • ★★★★★

    “I love Nova so freaking much. Nova has saved my life in more ways than one. I was hopeless and had no solution suffering from this disease. The staff there never gave up on me. I was the worst client…”

    Sierra Watts

    2 years ago · Austin

  • ★★★★★

    “I know Mark rector is non-binary however it saved my life and it did a good job with CPR and I don't know how aside from staying sober I could ever repay it thank you Mr or Mrs or whatever you're…”

    Logan S

    8 months ago · Austin

  • ★★★★★

    “It's been a few years since I was a patient at Nova Recovery Center. Recently I have been reflecting on my time there and how incredibly grateful I am for the experience I had. I have been to 7 rehab…”

    Jeff Lochridge

    2 years ago · Austin

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