Gina Kirschenheiter Opens up About Her Recent Arrest: "I Am Disappointed in Myself"

Following her arrest in Orange County on January 31, Gina Kirschenheiter opened up in a post on Instagram about the incident and how she plans to move forward in a positive direction.

Gina shared a post on February 4 that featured the words "the best apology is changed behavior" and spoke about how her arrest for allegedly driving under the influence has already had a profound impact on her life. "I honestly believe that some issues no matter how great and important are truly only a part of our awareness once we are personally [affected] by them. For me....what happened this week is that issue. It’s amazing how in the course of less than a week you can realize the full extent of allowing people into your every day life and how the opinions of everyone watching can run from incredibly chastising to extremely supportive," she began the post. "Bad choices have bad consequences. Mine are magnified [because] I chose to share my life with you on a very public stage. Those who are a part of my real life gave me words of encouragement and love knowing the content of my character and the love in my heart. As embarrassed and hard on myself as I’ve been in these past few days, I’ve been shocked by the astonishing amount of 'it could have happened to anyone' and 'we’ve all been there' that I’ve received through friends both close to me and on social media."

However, Gina is committed to making sure that neither she nor anyone else goes through something like this again. "I could easily join in with the chorus saying 'you’re right, it could be any of us' but it shouldn’t be any of us. EVER! It’s terrible that this has become a social norm. I am disappointed in myself and that I am a part of this social norm. Especially since everyone who knows me knows I’m the queen of Uber/Lyft," she shared. "This didn’t happen to me. I wasn’t 'unlucky.' I made a conscious decision to do something epically stupid. One time is one time too many. I am awake now. I can promise this will NEVER BE ME again."

So Gina is using her mistake to bring about positive change. "To all of you who wrote me with pain in their hearts about how drinking and driving has had a negative impact on them and their families, I hear you. Thank you," she said. "I make this promise to each one of you with your messages in my heart.... I am committed to this cause and hope to effect a positive change and dialogue. You don’t have to believe me with these words, but I hope over time you will see through my actions."

Gina was stopped by police in Rancho Santa Margarita, California for a suspected traffic violation on January 31. She was then placed under arrest for an alleged DUI and taken to a jail. The Real Housewives of Orange County mom was released with a citation around noon on February 1.

Gina expressed remorse for the incident in a statement to The Daily Dish on February 1: "I made a very bad choice the other night after a mom’s night out. I am extremely disappointed in myself and regret my actions wholeheartedly. I have learned a valuable lesson and hope to show you all that this one incident does not define me."