On Overview of Brooklyn DWI Lawyers

Dec. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Although there is an increasing perception that alcoholism should be treated as a disease, society still has a tendency to punish these people, especially when the disease results in accidents or injuries to others.

Many social observers and analysts are increasingly asking if punishment for alcoholism-related bad behavior is still constructive. After all, with jail overcrowding, backed up courts and cash-strapped states and municipalities re-examining court priorities, there is more of openness now to alternative solutions.

The Brooklyn DWI Lawyers Goldstein & Handwerker, LLP, have observed that one of the controversies regarding treatment of alcohol issues is the key debate and core question of whether alcoholism is a disease. There is little doubt by now that regarding alcoholism as a disease, rather than as a moral weakness, has brought benefits to alcoholics and addicts. To some extent it reduced the stigma experienced by sufferers and has opened the door to treatment rather than punishment. It is the anchor of the belief system of AA and NA groups who have been responsible for helping many to recover from a depressing condition. However, there are many critics of the disease model, both on the grounds that there is little evidence to support it and that it may in fact be detrimental to recovery.

In respect of treatment, the current view is that, in the disease model the alcoholic is viewed as someone who usually has no control over his or her behavior and therefore requires treatment to recover. This is often viewed as creating feelings of helplessness and encouraging an abdication of responsibility. In contrast, the current view of treatment is that in order for recovery to occur the client needs to take responsibility for his/her behavior and to be empowered to change. Rather than enforced abstinence, the client should have a choice of possible outcomes (i.e. abstinence, reduction in consumption or controlled drinking), so the client is made to feel greater ownership of his/her recovery and is more motivated to succeed. Interestingly the research suggests that most subjects given a choice of outcomes still end up abstinent.

As DWI legal experts, Goldstein & Handwerker, LLP are well aware that, while the disease model has had some benefits by initially introducing treatment for alcoholics/addicts, ironically it is now viewed by many modern commentators as being detrimental to treatment. Many of the concepts of the disease model have been found to be not sound and indeed explainable by other mechanisms. Nevertheless, it continues to be the mainstay of AA and NA and provides benefits for its millions of members.

Goldstein & Handwerker hopes there will be a continuance of a more enlightened attitude toward this problem. For more information, visit http://www.arresthelp.net/dwi.html or call 212-679-1330 if you or someone you love needs immediate legal help.

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In most cases after an arrest for DWI your license will be suspended the very first time you go to court, even though you haven't been convicted of anything. Having an experienced DWI attorney can help protect at least a limited use of your license.

At the Law Offices of Goldstein & Handwerker, LLP, their attorneys have tried DWI/DUI cases and achieved non-guilty verdicts. Their highly professional staff always strives to obtain the best result possible.