You got pulled over by law enforcement at a routine traffic stop, but it was anything but ordinary. Maybe you had a few too many drinks at the bar before you slipped behind the wheel. You could be facing jail time, but a generous judge might believe you need a DUI rehab instead.
DUI rehabs allow judges to secure help for a defendant who may have an alcohol or drug problem that will cause them to commit the same crime over and over again. You might still face some minimum jail time, but most of the time served will be in rehab. Better outcomes come when you’re held accountable for recovery this way.
Changes Healing Center can help you locate an affordable drug and alcohol rehab so that you get the court-ordered help you need. Even if you have a DUI charge, you can turn things around. Here is what everyone should know about DUI rehabs and substance abuse treatment.
Whether you have a history of drunk driving on your record or this is your first offense, you might face some serious consequences. Jail time is often on the table for driving under the influence because it is a serious offense that puts everyone in jeopardy.
But maybe your judge believes it wasn’t just a poor choice.
Instead of jail time, they might rule in your favor for help with a drug or alcohol problem to keep you from doing the same thing again weeks or months down the line. The goal is to get to the heart of an issue with substance misuse, whether that means mental health issues or addiction.
DUI rehabilitation is a gentler sentencing that offers help instead of punitive actions. Keep in mind that you won’t be left to your own devices as you work your way through treatment. You may still have some court appearances, or a probation officer might be assigned to monitor your progress.
A judge believes that driving under the influence isn’t a decision that just anyone would make. Most people would categorize it as a reckless offense with risks that outweigh the convenience of making it to your destination on time. However, the judge must weigh whether this was a one-time or ongoing mistake.
Substance misuse rarely occurs in a vacuum. There is a significant overlap between mental health and having a substance use problem, according to the research behind the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If a judge can identify a cause for your DUI, they want to see you thrive.
Treating that underlying condition might be enough to help you turn from substance misuse altogether, negating the need for future court hearings about DUIs you have yet to commit. It’s an investment in your future rather than a punitive sentencing to years of jail time.
One thing that you should remember is that you may not be able to skirt your entire jail sentence with a DUI rehab. The rules vary from state to state, but almost all require a minimum mandatory sentencing. It could be just for 48 hours, or it might stretch longer before you can be discharged to a DUI rehab.
Consider this a good time to think about what has happened and commit yourself to the program’s help if a judge agrees with your and your attorney’s plan.
Your sentence to court ordered rehab for a DUI will likely be less than the time you spend behind bars, but it can also be more flexible. If they mandate at least thirty days in rehab, you could be discharged sooner or later, depending on progress made.
The truth is that your judge and a skilled DUI lawyer have a lot of flexibility in what they can sentence you to follow through on. DUI offenders often start out with a medical detox where they can get drugs and alcohol out of their system in a safe environment. With severe withdrawal symptoms for some substances, this could be life-saving.
Detox typically lasts for five to seven days before you move into inpatient treatment. You’ll reside in an accredited facility with access to around-the-clock care and every service you could need to overcome a substance use issue. Enjoy individual therapy, group therapy, and support groups, as well as a few complementary therapies like yoga or art.
In other words, you’ll learn all the coping skills you need to handle your feelings and situation without turning to drugs or alcohol.
If this is your first DUI offense, a judge may take it easy on you and order you to enroll in an outpatient treatment program. You’ll receive the same services as residential rehab with therapies all day long. The difference is that you’ll go home at the end of the day to sleep in your own bed. Outpatient is intensive but does offer more flexibility as you heal and grow.
Sometimes, the idea of how you’re going to foot the bill for drug and alcohol abuse treatment is enough to make you think about just asking for jail time. Explore all of your options before you decide to tell a law enforcement officer that you don’t want this outcome after a DUI arrest or conviction.
Private insurance plans are accepted by many rehabs, including Changes Healing Center. We can offer you a safe place to land and walk you through all of your insurance benefits. Some of our patients don’t pay a penny out of pocket on their insurance plans. We can work on an affordable payment plan for you if there is an out-of-pocket cost.
Even insurance programs like Medicaid in Arizona and Medicare might cover your rehabilitation in full.
Alternatively, a DUI conviction might funnel you into a separate program that is state-funded. Attending addiction treatment under this umbrella could be the most beneficial thing for you financially. Instead of zeroing in on how much the program costs, you can use it to get the help you need.
Maybe you weren’t ready to admit that you had an alcohol or drug addiction. With a DUI charge solidly in front of you, you might finally face the facts of your substance misuse issue. Once your treatment is underway, you can feel gratitude for being there instead of facing more severe consequences.
It’s during rehab that you might uncover some mental health issues that contribute to substance abuse. For example, many people have anxiety or mood disorders that they self-medicate with alcohol or drug use. Changes Healing Center and other DUI rehabs can get to the source and treat it before we take a closer look at substance use.
Of course, it’s worth noting that your time in treatment likely doesn’t end as soon as you graduate from the program. Many people also have a parole or probation officer who will continue to monitor the DUI case to ensure that they stick to the straight and narrow. You’ll still have outpatient therapy and will often attend support groups like Twelve Step meetings, but it increases your chances of long-term recovery.
You’ll have a lot of pressure placed upon you to stay sober–and not just from your family and loved ones. A probation officer could ask for a sobriety test at any time once you leave your court-ordered rehab. Future offenses might result in another treatment center or jail time.
If you suspect that your judge might be leaning toward DUI rehab for your case, doing your homework on where you want to go can be beneficial. Changes Healing Center would love to walk you through our enrollment process and answer your questions about drug and alcohol treatment. We’re positive that you will learn skills here that help you in every area of your life.
A quick phone call is all it takes to verify your insurance benefits and share the final cost of care if this is what is holding you back from enrollment. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation call to discuss your options!