Alcohol Treatment for DUI: What You Need to Know

Alcohol Treatment for DUI: What You Need to Know

Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in every state in the United States. Those who are found operating a vehicle with blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher face consequences, which may include fines, license suspension, court-ordered in-person or online DUI class, and or jail-time.

A DUI charge has the potential to alter the course of a person’s life. After the arrest, offenders are often released with a court date and will need to hire a DUI lawyer to represent them during their scheduled court appearance. In most DUI cases, the offender is compelled to complete a rehabilitation program as part of the sentence. Enrolling in a DUI school may also help a person avoid jail time.

Rehab Options for a DUI Charge

Due to the high rate of repeat offenders, most judges opt to help individuals with DUI charges instead of sending them to jail. Before the person is prosecuted, the court may either compel them to enroll in DUI school or offer them the option to voluntarily submit themselves to a substance abuse treatment program.

Whether it’s court-ordered or voluntary, it’s in the defendant’s best interest to enlist in a professional drug or alcohol recovery program prior to their trial. This is an effective way to communicate to the judge that he/she is serious about addressing the issues. After completing the diversion program and based on the results, the judge may reduce the sentence or dismiss the case altogether.

Court-ordered DUI treatment enables drug or alcohol dependent individuals to address underlying issues and dysfunction while under judicial supervision. The program may take the form of in-patient rehabilitation, out-patient rehabilitation, online classes, individual therapy, group therapy, or a combination of these methods.

During the course of the treatment, substance abuse and mental health professionals help people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol overcome their addiction and reintegrate them into society as healthy and productive citizens.

Failure to Comply with DUI Treatment Program

If a DUI offender fails to complete a court-mandated DUI treatment, they will likely end up back in court for a probation violation hearing. The judge may also revoke their eligibility for the diversion program and subject them to a resentencing with much harsher penalties.

Moreover, the offender’s license and driving privileges may not be reinstated unless he/she has successfully completed the evaluation and treatment program.

Paying for Court-Ordered Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment can cost between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the program you have to take. And despite the fact that this is a court-mandated treatment, it is usually up to the person receiving the sentence to pay for it. You may, however, check if your insurance can supplement the out-of-pocket costs.

If you really can’t cover the expenses, there are free or low-cost rehab programs for people who qualify. Still, private programs are deemed to provide access to better treatments and therapies, and have much higher rates of success.

Is Court-Ordered Treatment for Alcohol Addiction Effective?

Compared to incarceration and probation, experts believe that rehabilitation and treatment is better for the offender as well as the public’s overall health and safety. This approach is proven to be highly effective, especially in programs that last for at least three months.

Treating alcohol addiction in a rehab facility can be more effective because these programs provide holistic treatment. They do not only aim to solve the issue at hand, but also address the individual’s underlying health and social concerns.

Still, anybody undergoing drug or alcohol treatment can greatly benefit from having a strong support network of family, friends, and other people in their lives who are willing to assist them in their journey to sobriety.

 About the Author   

Lauren Kunis is the Content Marketing Strategist for Stonewall Institute, an outpatient alcohol and drug treatment center that focuses on holistic, individualized approach to addiction recovery. She loves reading books, traveling, and going on hiking adventures with her dog Max.