Michelle Ryan recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.238 at 8.23pm on September 4 – one hour after police intercepted her in Dana Street.

She pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Friday to one count of drink-driving.

The court was told police saw Ryan driving her black Hyundai Lantra west along Dana Street at 7.20pm before pulling into a driveway.

When police approached her, she had exited the car and was walking unsteadily on her feet and slurring her words.

A preliminary breath test showed the presence of alcohol and Ryan was taken to the Ballarat Police Station for an evidentary breath test, which recorded the high reading.

In October, police impounded Ryan's car.

She told police she had drunk one litre of wine between 12pm and 7pm on September 4 and was driving around the block when she was caught.

Representing herself in court, Ryan said she took full responsibility for her actions and was extremely ashamed.

"At the time I was going through a rough patch. I had moved to Ballarat to look after my elderly mother and I wasn't coping with the circumstances at the time," Ryan said.

"I accept my circumstances and accept what I have done is the wrong thing. It's a blessing in one sense because I could have done more damage, not only to myself, but others."

Ryan said she was using alcohol to help with dental problems, but described herself as a steady drinker who had been treated for alcoholism in the past.

She said after the drink-driving incident, she completed a alcohol detox and had not used alcohol for some months.

Magistrate Ron Saines told Ryan the best thing she could do was to get a bicycle because she would not be driving for a while.

"This is a very disturbing circumstance here," Mr Saines said.

Ryan’s licence was cancelled and she was disqualified from driving for two years from September 4.

She was placed on a 12-month community corrections order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid community work, alcohol treatment and rehabilitation and programs to reduce offending.

Mr Saines told Ryan as part of the order she must not re-offend during the order and must attend all appointments.