Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment

One of the major signs that the war on drugs is ending is the change in attitude toward drug offenses by the judicial system. Judges, generally speaking, are handing out more sentences that include court ordered substance abuse treatments rather than jail time – or at least giving defendants the choice between the two.

Drug courts handle the cases of non-violent substance-abusing offenders under the adult, juvenile, family and tribal justice systems. Drug courts are created to be a solution-oriented approach to the drug problem in this country, operating under a combination model that involves the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, mental health, social service, and treatment communities in working together to help non-violent offenders find recovery and become productive members of society.

Whether it’s DUI, public drunkenness or drug charges, such as possession; the end result is becoming, more often thirty days in a court ordered substance abuse treatment. The hope with court ordered substance abuse treatments are that the people sentenced will learn about substance abuse and get the help they need, rather than simply being punished and entering a vicious cycle of being recycled in the judicial system.

What Is A Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment?

Drug courts are programs in which a judge can force an individual to attend drug treatment. The offender can be compelled to attend a court ordered substance abuse treatment either as a part of or in place of jail time. These substance abuse treatment programs are designed to help individuals get their life back on the right track and such types of sentences involving drug rehabilitation are most often handed out when a judge feels that the individual will not attend a drug treatment center of their own volition.

How Can Someone Be Successful At A Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment?

Offenders who are sentenced to attend a court ordered substance abuse treatment often don’t want to go but, that doesn’t mean that treatment will be ineffective or unsuccessful; the truth is, anyone can benefit from drug rehab despite what gets them there.

First and foremost, if an individual is court ordered to attend substance abuse treatment, they can try to have a positive attitude about it. Just because someone is made by the courts to go to a drug treatment center doesn’t mean they should fight against those who are trying to help them at the drug treatment center. A court ordered substance abuse treatment is a great opportunity and if individuals understand this fact they can get the most out of drug treatment.

Different Types Of Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

There are many different types of court ordered substance abuse treatments. Many times the judge who handed out the sentence will allow the individual to make their own choice about which court ordered substance abuse treatment they want to attend. There may be a list of approved court ordered substance abuse treatments. Many individuals choose residential drug treatment because of the round the clock care and the amenities at the drug treatment center. Some individuals, however, will go with an outpatient drug treatment center so they can still be near friends and family at the end of the day when drug treatment is complete.

How Long Are Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatments?

A court ordered substance abuse treatment is just like any other alcohol or drug treatment center; court ordered drug treatment varies in length according to the facility and even what the judge may have sentenced. Some court ordered substance abuse treatments will have programs that last a few weeks and others will have some that last months. There are some long term drug treatment centers that can last a year or longer.

If you have been court ordered to attend a substance abuse treatment program or drug rehab, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it’s the beginning of a new life – one in which you don’t have to be dependent on drugs. Although it may feel like you are being confined, at first, you will actually experience a whole new level of freedom that you may have never thought possible before. Many people have gotten a new lease on life from attending treatment, whether they wanted to or were ordered to by the courts.

Please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135 to speak with an Addiction Specialist who can answer your questions about admission and who can walk you through the process of getting into a program that complies with your court ordered treatment.