According to the latest government statistics for Nebraska, alcoholism is increasingly becoming a much more serious problem in the state; thus increasing the need for more quality alcohol rehab facilities to be located in this area. Choosing an alcohol rehab program in Nebraska for your drug or alcohol addiction can be a complex process, because there are so many different options. There are inpatient, outpatient, short term and long term alcohol rehabilitation programs in Nebraska; determining what level of alcohol treatment would be best can be a difficult task. Because every person is unique, the Nebraska alcohol rehab program that will be most effective is one that specifically addresses the personal needs of the individual that is seeking to recover from alcoholism.

An individual from Nebraska may choose to attend an outpatient alcohol rehab program that will allow them to go to the alcohol treatment facility and to still be able to meet their obligations at home; not everyone with a moderate to serious alcohol addiction problem can succeed with this limited level of short term alcohol treatment. Another viable alcohol rehab option in Nebraska is residential alcohol rehabilitation, which allows the individual to live at the facility where they can focus solely on their alcohol rehab program.

The first step in a quality alcohol rehab program in Nebraska is detoxification; the alcohol detox is a process by which professionals can medically manage physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is extremely important that an individual from Nebraska that has completed the detox process, moves forward immediately into a comprehensive alcohol rehab that includes counseling or group classes, relapse prevention education and a reasonable amount of follow up care.

Nebraska 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. The highest number of alcohol related fatalities in Nebraska occurred in 1986, with 141. The percentage of total highway fatalities that were alcohol related peaked in 1988, with 52%. In 2008, out of all traffic fatalities, 27% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

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

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

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Nebraska

• A first-time offender in Nebraska faces a prison term of up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500. The driver's license revocation period is six months. If, however, the offender's BAC was .15 or greater, the revocation period is one year.
• A second-time offender in Nebraska faces a prison term of up to six months and a fine of up to $500. The driver's license revocation period is one year. If, however, the offender's BAC was .15 or greater, the prison term is up to one year and the fine is up to $1,000. These offenders are also subject to a driver's license revocation period between one and 15 years.
• A person in Nebraska who is convicted of DUI for a third time faces a prison term of up to one year and a fine of up to $600. The driver's license revocation period is 15 years. If, however, the offender's BAC was .15 or greater, the offender faces one to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
• A person in Nebraska convicted of a fourth DUI faces one to five years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. The driver's license revocation period is 15 years. If, however, the offender's BAC was .15 or greater, the offender is subject to one to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
• A person in Nebraska convicted of a fifth DUI faces one to 20 years in prison and is subject to a fine of up to $25,000. The driver's license revocation period is 15 years. If, however, the offender had a BAC of .15 or greater, the prison term is three to 50 years.

Enhanced Penalties in Nebraska for DUI that Causes Serious Bodily Injury to Another Person or to the Unborn Child of a Pregnant Woman

A person in Nebraska who drives under the influence of alcohol and causes serious bodily injury to another person or to the unborn child of a pregnant woman faces one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The driver's license revocation period is 60 days to 15 years.

Ignition Interlock

In certain circumstances, DUI offenders may apply for a restricted driver's license which requires them to drive a vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock device. The circumstances of the DUI will determine whether the application will be granted, as well as how long the restriction will remain in force.

Commercial Drivers

In addition to other penalties associated with Nebraska's DUI laws, a commercial driver who is convicted of DUI while operating any vehicle will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year. If, however, the offender was driving a commercial vehicle and transporting hazardous materials at the time, he or she will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for three years. If a commercial driver in Nebraska commits a second DUI while driving any vehicle, the offender will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for life.

Drivers Under 21

A driver under 21 in Nebraska who is convicted of DUI will be found guilty of a traffic infraction. First-time offenders in Nebraska are subject to a fine of up to $100. An underage driver who commits a second offense within one year is subject to a fine of up to $200. Those who commit a third or subsequent offense within an one-year period are subject to a fine of up to $300. Nebraska law, however, permits drivers under 21 to be prosecuted and punished for DUI under the laws applicable to drivers 21 and older.

Dram Shop Liability

Nebraska does not have a dram shop statute. Depending on the facts of the case, however, a Nebraska drinking establishment may be liable for injuries caused by its negligence in selling alcohol to a minor under the common law.

Criminal Penalties in Nebraska for Selling or Providing Liquor to a Person Under 21

It is a crime in Nebraska to provide or sell liquor to a person under 21. A violation of this law subjects the offender to up to one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000.