And, with New Year festivities looming, they are warning other motorists to think about the consequences of their actions before setting foot behind the wheel.
A former nurse has revealed her family have been left traumatised after a drink driver crashed into their home.
Christine Somers was woken by what she thought was the sound of an explosion when the out-of-control car smashed into the front of her house in Tunstead.
The motorist, Emma Groom, received a 17-month driving ban and was fined £220, plus court costs of £85 and £30 victim surcharge after being convicted of drink driving earlier this month.
But Mrs Somers, 53, whose 12-year-old son Connor has Down's syndrome, revealed her family are still counting the cost of that night and face months of repair work to the property, which is expected to cost £50,000.
And, with New Year looming, she is warning others contemplating drink driving of the potential consequences of their actions.
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Mrs Somers said: 'Going out of the house is a challenge, so our home is our world and our world is broken.'
'This is our sanctuary, I have to spend a lot of time here with Connor because of his ill health and special needs.'
But she added: 'Since the car crashed into the house I have noticed a change in Connor's behaviour, he has picked up on my distress and become very clingy.'
Mrs Somers' eldest son James, 16, has been forced to move out of the house as a result of damage caused to his bedroom.
Both Mrs Somers and Connor were asleep when the car smashed into the living room after being driven through the garden wall on October 11 at around 11.30pm.
Recalling her ordeal, Mrs Somers said: 'Fire officers told me that if someone had been sitting in the room they could have been killed by flying bricks. I thought there had been an explosion my bed was shaking so much.
'Fortunately Connor was not woken up, because he would have been very distressed.'
Mrs Somers claimed the smash was the needless consequence of drink driving. And she warned it wasn't worth the risk.
'They (drink-drivers) are endangering their lives and other people's lives as a result of this unacceptable behaviour - it is not worth the risk to anybody. This did not need to happen to us, but fortunately the support from our neighbours has been fantastic.
'They have helped clear away the rubble, brought round food and played with Connor, which just makes me realise what a wonderful village this is.'
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