DWAI Classes in Durango, Colorado
Preferred Counseling in Durango, CO: A Guiding Hand for DWAI Offenders
Preferred Counseling, a licensed therapy provider in Durango, Colorado, is recognized by the state's Office of Behavioral Health to offer DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) classes. These classes are designed to support individuals charged with DWAI offenses, providing them with the tools and knowledge to prevent future incidents and address the underlying issues that may contribute to impaired driving.
Why DWAI Classes Are Mandated
In Colorado, a DWAI is often the result of an individual driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between 0.05% and 0.08%, which, though lower than the threshold for a DUI (Driving Under the Influence), still reflects impairment that can endanger others on the road. The courts can mandate DWAI classes as part of the legal consequences, particularly when the offense is seen as a red flag for potential alcohol or substance misuse issues.
For a first-time DWAI offense, the penalties can include fines, points on a driving record, community service, and mandatory educational classes. However, a second DWAI offense is treated as a second DUI under Colorado law, which brings about more severe penalties such as longer probation, higher fines, longer driver’s license suspensions, and even possible jail time.
How a DWAI Affects Lives
A DWAI conviction can have long-lasting effects on various aspects of a person’s life. Beyond the immediate legal consequences such as fines or jail time, it can result in increased insurance premiums, limitations on employment opportunities (especially in professions requiring driving), and the stigma of having a criminal record. Additionally, impaired driving offenses often hint at deeper issues, such as substance misuse or poor decision-making patterns, that if left unchecked, could lead to repeat offenses.
The goal of DWAI classes, like those offered by Preferred Counseling, is to intervene early, helping individuals not only fulfill court requirements but also tackle any underlying problems that may have contributed to their offense.
DWAI Classes: A Step Toward Recovery and Prevention
Completing DWAI classes is a productive step for offenders, as these sessions are structured to promote self-reflection, education, and behavioral change. Preferred Counseling works with individuals to help them recognize the dangers of impaired driving, better understand their personal relationship with alcohol or other substances, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
The classes are designed not only to meet legal requirements but also to help participants understand the personal and societal consequences of impaired driving. By completing these classes, individuals can reduce their risk of reoffending and make positive changes in their lives.
What to Expect in DWAI Classes
During DWAI classes at Preferred Counseling, participants will discuss a wide range of topics aimed at preventing future impaired driving. These discussions often include:
- The effects of alcohol and drugs on the body and mind: Participants will learn about how even small amounts of alcohol or other substances can impair their ability to drive safely.
- The legal and personal consequences of impaired driving: This includes exploring the penalties for repeat offenses and the long-term impact on their driving record, insurance, and employment.
- Self-assessment and behavioral change: Participants will be guided through exercises to help them identify patterns of behavior that may contribute to impaired driving and strategies for making healthier decisions in the future.
- Coping with triggers: Whether it’s stress, social situations, or other personal factors, participants will explore what might lead them to drive while impaired and how to handle these situations more responsibly.
The Different Levels of DWAI Classes
DWAI classes are divided into two levels, with the level required often depending on the severity of the offense and the individual's history with impaired driving.
- Level 1 DWAI Education is typically required for first-time offenders who have a relatively low BAC or who are determined by the court to need a shorter, more basic intervention. This level focuses primarily on education about the risks and effects of alcohol and drugs, helping participants understand how even minor impairment can be dangerous.
- Level 2 DWAI Education and Therapy is required for more serious cases, such as individuals with a higher BAC at the time of arrest or those with prior offenses. This level is more comprehensive, involving both educational components and therapy sessions to address deeper issues such as substance use patterns, mental health concerns, or lifestyle factors contributing to risky behavior. For those with a second DWAI, this level is mandatory, as a second DWAI is treated in the same way as a second DUI.
In both levels, the goal is to foster awareness and personal responsibility while providing the tools necessary to avoid future offenses.
A Path to a Safer Future
Preferred Counseling in Durango is committed to helping DWAI offenders turn their mistakes into learning opportunities. Through their licensed, state-approved classes, they offer the guidance and support needed to not only meet legal requirements but to make meaningful changes that prevent repeat offenses. By addressing both the symptoms and causes of impaired driving, Preferred Counseling helps individuals build safer, more responsible futures for themselves and their communities.
Stephanie Mueller
Drug & Alcohol Counselor, BS, CAS
For over 30 years, I’ve helped individuals overcome addiction, trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem challenges. I offer DUI classes, therapy, and evidence-based practices like somatic work to address deeper issues, including PTSD. With both in-person and telehealth appointments, I also incorporate equine therapy and offer a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility. You are resilient—let me help you heal and grow.
Contact
1315 Main Avenue
Suite 212
Durango, CO 81301
DUI Classes and Therapy in Durango, Pagosa Springs, Ignacio, Bayfield, Silverton, Mancos, Cortez and Beyond.
Fees
Individual Sessions $85
Couple Sessions $100
Sliding scale: apply for eligibility
Pay by Cash, Check, Credit Card
DWAI Therapy in Durango, Colorado
DWAI Classes in Durango, Colorado
DUI Therapy in Durango, Colorado