Driving under the influence is often associated with alcohol, but in Georgia, you can also face DUI charges for driving while impaired by prescription medication. Even if the drugs were legally prescribed by your doctor, if they affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle, law enforcement can arrest you for DUI.

How Prescription Drug DUIs Work in Georgia

Under Georgia law, a person can be charged with DUI if they are “less safe” to drive due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. This includes prescription medications such as:

• Painkillers (e.g., oxycodone or hydrocodone)
• Anti-anxiety medications (e.g., Xanax or Valium)
• Sleep aids (e.g., Ambien or Lunesta)
• ADHD medications (e.g., Adderall or Ritalin)

If these medications cause drowsiness, slow reaction times, or impaired judgment, you can be considered unsafe to drive—even if you took them exactly as prescribed.

How Police Determine Impairment

Unlike alcohol DUIs where a breathalyzer measures blood alcohol content, prescription drug DUIs rely on observations of impairment. Officers may use:

• Field sobriety tests to check coordination and response time
• Blood or urine tests to detect substances in your system
• Testimony from a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)

Penalties for Prescription Drug DUIs

A DUI conviction for prescription drugs carries the same penalties as an alcohol-related DUI, including:

• Fines and court costs
• Driver’s license suspension
• Possible jail time or probation
• Mandatory DUI school or treatment programs

These consequences can impact your job, insurance rates, and personal life.

Defending a Prescription Drug DUI

Prescription drug DUIs can be complex because simply having medication in your system does not always mean you were impaired. A skilled attorney can challenge the evidence, question the officer’s observations, and review whether testing procedures were properly followed.

At the Law Offices Of Thomas J. Thomas, we assist Atlanta residents facing DUI charges related to prescription drugs. Our legal team can review your case and guide you through the process to protect your rights.