--His time in jail and under house arrest now behind him after his third DUI incident, Eric Warfield knows he still faces a lifelong battle to avoid the fall back into the alcoholism that got him into this trouble.

The Chiefs cornerback last week ended his 80 days of house arrest, a sentence that followed a month-long stay in an alcohol rehab program and 10 days of shock time in a Johnson County (Kan.) jail. The house-arrest monitor removed from his ankle, he was free again to get on with his life.

A life he knows can never be as completely free as he once lived.

"I've learned a whole lot about myself and how to deal with certain situations -- especially with the party scene," an earnest Warfield said after a recent workout in the Chiefs' spring coaching sessions. "I hope it's made me a better person, a better player. I know I've felt a lot better in these offseason workouts when I don't come in hung over or smelling like a brewery.

"I wouldn't want anybody to go through that experience. That's why I talk with my teammates about it."

For now, at least, Warfield is trying to spend minimal time in his car. He's gotten used to using the limo service that drove him to Chiefs workouts while his license was suspended. For now, at least, that's a luxury that may be a necessary lifestyle change.

"My understanding is that I can drive, but I choose not to," he said. "There are a whole lot of things I've stopped doing."

Warfield hopes his mistakes serve as a warning to teammates and others. He is not hesitant to talk about his pitfalls with others.

He still has not heard from the league regarding possible suspensions for his third violation of the substance abuse policy. But he seems ready to accept any further punishment that might come his way.

"This is something I brought on myself, and I've got to deal with it," he said. "I'm trying to prepare as if I'm going to play in the first game. If I don't, I'll be ready to make the best I can of the (remaining games)."

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