His lawyer, John Day, said home detention would have been a likely option if Snedden had not re-offended while on bail and there was no driving fault.
He needed treatment for alcohol difficulties and tendered a letter in court from a prospective employer.
Mr Day said his client pleaded guilty early and was extremely remorseful.
Judge John McDonald said Sneddon was an idiot if he did not know that driving while grossly intoxicated was highly dangerous.
Driving was not a right but a privilege in New Zealand and people must pass a strict test in order to get behind the wheel, he said.
Judge McDonald said Northland had the highest number of drink drivers in the country, with repeat offenders the greatest danger to other road users.
He said a condition of Snedden's bail from his offending on April 28 was not to drive after drinking at all.
Snedden was sentenced to 20 months in jail and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver's licence for two years for his eighth and ninth drink driving convictions.
