Proposed PA law would add recovery tool for alcohol abuse by self-exclusion

The idea rose from personal experience that changed his life.

Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) introduced legislation that would allow individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from the ability to purchase alcoholic beverages.

"I think, the majority of the public knows that I've suffered from problems with alcohol addiction. And those problems became more prevalent in my life over the past, I'd say, eight or nine months, since my accident that was not alcohol-related of last year in October," he said in a telephone interview.

"As things became progressively worse for me. It became apparent that I needed to take some action. Unfortunately, in June this year I did have an automobile accident. Thank God it was a fender-bender and no one was hurt. I was under the influence of alcohol at that point in time," he said.

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Dowling checked himself into a rehabilitation facility.

The first step

"I did a 30 day stay with them. During that stay I got to thinking about the fact that in Pennsylvania we already have a program for problem gamblers."

The program is offered by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That program allows someone who knows they have a problem with gambling to self-exclude from the ability to go into gambling establishments such as casinos, Internet-based gambling, video gaming terminals and fantasy sports wagering in Pennsylvania, he said.

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The individuals voluntarily put themselves on an exclusion list and that list is checked with their identification when they try to use any legalized gaming activities in the state for a period of years. There were many success stories, he said.

'It got me thinking'

"It got me to thinking wouldn't it be great to do the same with people having trouble with alcohol?" Dowling said.

He started bouncing that idea off of other people in the recovering community who had the same alcohol addiction issues he has. The idea was well-received, he said.

The legislation he has proposed is for someone who "wants to live in recovery. They want to better themselves," he said.

Because alcohol is a legal substance, the proposed law is drafted to make sure that small businesses are not penalized in case someone coming in and ordering alcoholic beverages while on the list somehow falls through the cracks, Dowling said.

Someone can pull their name off of the list by filling out an application. The process would take about a month, he said.

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The trigger

Eating in restaurants and social events does not bother Dowling. The strong urges for an alcoholic drink are minimal. But, driving past brand new Fine Wine and Good Spirit stores, that's a different story, he said.

That is his trigger that draws forth an incredible urge to go inside and buy a bottle. This is why recovery support is so important.

Back in June, Dowling said he had not planned to drink and drive. He stopped by an establishment and grabbed a bottle to drink once he got home.

"In my mindset, I didn't plan on getting back in the car. I planned to do some yard work — mowing and pulling weeds. It was not like I was drinking at the time," he said.

Dowling thought, "What is the damage in that?"

Then he got the call and jumped in his car and drove. The fender-bender happened.

"If I'd already been on a (self-exclusion) list, I would never have stopped and bought the alcohol. My life today would be very different," he said.

He announced early in July he was not going to run again for state representative — work he "absolutely loved."

He had to face his problem and sort it out and he had to think of his family, he said.

House Bill 2811

Under the proposed House Bill 2811, self-exclusion would remain in effect for five years or until the self-excluded person requests removal from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s self-exclusion list, Dowling said. “A person could also renew their self-exclusion when their period expires.”

A person would not be permitted to place another person on the self-exclusion list. Placement on the list is entirely voluntary and must be done by the individual seeking exclusion. Self-exclusion could not be court ordered nor could it be a condition of any plea deal. Self-exclusion would not be taken into consideration by the courts for any purpose, he said.

“I believe this legislation would be an additional tool for those suffering from alcohol abuse disorder and will save lives across the Commonwealth,” Dowling said.

House Bill 2811 has been referred to the House Liquor Control Committee for consideration.

What next

Being realistic, he said the bill will more than likely not be passed by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor while Dowling is a representative in the state.

"I do intend to pick someone to pick up the baton and run forward with this proposed law," he said.

He plans to help with the bill as a private citizen in any way he can, Dowling said. He hopes to someday return to a state government job.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: There may be another way to help those who abuse alcohol in PA