A DUI, a no nonsense judge and family that was done helping me was the best thing that ever happened to this drunk. It got me be back in AA. I spent the first 6-8 sober months fantasizing about how to harm a Massachusetts State Trooper and not go to jail.
About a year and a half sober I sent the trooper a thank you card. Sounds terribly corny and I am going to hit send and not come back and edit .......... I can't believe I am saying this but he was an angel sent from God.
It does not seem like it now and I hated when it when it was said to me back then but maybe consequences are a good thing. They were for me, I needed to be stopped physically, ie. handcuffs and probation because I was not gonna stop myself. Then AA taught me how to keep the plug in the jug.