Many people suffer from alcohol and drug addiction globally. Unfortunately, some suffer in silence while few of them get help. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affects the individual, family, friends, and society at large. The illness causes a ripple effect in the country, and low productivity is experienced. People suffering from SUD may be ordered by the family court to attend rehab. An example of a rehab center that walks the talk is https://impactrecoverycenter.net/. Moreover, the disorder causes legal issues.
Increasingly, substance and addiction abuse is being treated through rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Drug and substance abuse was seen as a moral failing in the past, but research shows it’s a public health issue. In the US, it’s estimated that a whopping 80% of jail term cases have roots in drug and substance abuse. Some of the crimes associated with alcohol and drug abuse include:
- Murder
- Drunk Under the influence (DUI)
- Property crimes
- Domestic violence
Court-ordered rehab plays a significant role in curbing the abuse. Unfortunately, 95% of inmates, when released, go to consume drugs and alcohol. Special courts assigned to tackle drug-related offenses help the individual live a clean and authentic life and avoid committing another crime. The advantages of rehab centers in preventing future crimes are many; they include;
- Better chances to break the addiction cycle
- Better odds to break the crime cycle
- Give access to resources that individuals can use to improve their lives
- Detoxification
Completing a court-ordered treatment program may help the offender evade a jail sentence or get a sentence of less severity. Charges are not dismissed until the offender has completed the treatment program.
A court-ordered rehab works in different ways according to the laws of the land. An example is:
A screening investigation is done first. Then, it can be requested by the family members or loved ones of the offenders.
Police are conducting an investigation. Additionally, addiction specialists may participate in the investigation.
The offender is then taken into custody, and the professional assesses the addiction and if they are suffering from any health-related problems.
If the professionals find the offender a danger to themselves or the public regarding drug and substance abuse, an emergency court order is issued, and a hearing is scheduled.
At the hearing, the offender has a choice of pleading guilty or not.
The judge is the final say about whether the offender will go to jail or have court-ordered rehab. Additionally, judges issue a court order if the offender meets specific criteria;
- Must not have attended a court-ordered rehab before
- The crime was non-violent
- The court is convinced the offender will benefit from the rehab
- The crime was either an indirect or direct result of alcohol or drug dependence
- The offender qualifies for a probationary sentence
The offender sentenced is required to pay for the treatment program. Nonetheless, he can choose the facility to attend. Fortunately, some facilities offer subsidized and discounted payments for qualifying individuals. Moreover, insurance can pay a whole or part of the amount. The different types of court-ordered treatment programs are:
- Educational programs
- Group counseling programs
- Residential counseling
- Detox and inpatient rehab programs
- Accelerated pretrial rehab programs
The rehab program follows strict guidelines. The treatment team comprises legal and medical practitioners who assist the offender till recovery. The beauty of the court-order rehab program is that once the program is completed, the offender gets a clean sale. However, if the offender fails to complete the program, he/she is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. It is vital to note that relapse is part of the recovery process. Science keeps on revealing and changing the way humans handle things.