Crimes are often committed by individuals who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Approximately 80% of these individuals are self-medicating through the use of alcohol/drugs in order to "treat" an underlying mental health disorder. Often times, the individual is not aware that they have a mental health problem. In a recent article, a 17-year old, young man suffered from depression, but he did not understand why. He began to self-medicate by consuming Vodka, and eventually including Vicodin in the mix. Fortunately for this young man, he was not placed in a position wherein he was arrested for committing a crime. However, as we experience in our law firm on a daily basis, the majority of individuals who are arrested for alcohol-related/drug-related crimes, such as DUI, Driving with the Presence of Drugs, Drug Possession or Assault, suffer from a mental illness or have serious emotional problems. If you find yourself in this position, it is imperative that you retain an experienced defense attorney, who will address not only your criminal matter, but your potential mental health issue as well.