Get Answers and Proven Treatment Options at Purpose
Substance abuse is a slippery slope. What often starts as a few drinks after work or recreational drug use on the weekend might spiral into a problem – one you may not recognize until you are facing the legal consequences of your actions. When you’ve realized the effects that drug or alcohol addiction is having on your life, rehab may be the answer.
If you have found our resource, you are likely be wondering, “Will rehab help my court case?”
The judicial system recognizes that in cases of non-violent crimes, a rehabilitation program is sometimes more helpful than jail time. There are times when you will face more favorable legal outcomes as a result of attending rehab.
That being said, the impact of attending rehab on court cases and legal proceedings depends on factors like the specific charges and your drug and alcohol history. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common cases that might benefit from rehab treatment and how to take the next steps at Purpose.
Will Rehab Help My Court Case?
Not surprisingly an alcohol and drug rehab setting is most likely to help court cases where drugs or alcohol are involved. This might include DUI or OWI charges, drunk and disorderly, drug possession, and similar charges. It can also be helpful in child custody hearings when a parent has substance abuse issues.
However, it’s worth noting that rehab is only offered as an alternative in the case of non-violent crimes. Courts may also be less likely to work with repeat offenders, especially if you have been in front of the judge several times for the same crime.
Will Rehab Help DUI Offenses?
When you are booked for a DUI, you often spend a night in jail before being arraigned in front of a judge. This is the typical legal process. You will not face criminal charges immediately, but you will have the chance to plead guilty or not guilty and make your case for bail.
Excluding DUI cases resulting in serious injury or death and repeat offenses, you likely won’t have to stay in jail until your court date. This gives you time to seek substance abuse treatment.
When you do stand in front of the judge again, choosing to enter rehab shows that you recognize substance use as a problem and are willing to make changes in your life. Accepting responsibility and making changes encourages the court to show leniency.
However, it’s worth noting that you may still face charges even if you choose to attend a rehab program. This is especially true if you have a prior criminal record, especially if those are additional DUI offenses.
Will Rehab Benefit in Drunk and Disorderly Cases?
Drunk and disorderly is sometimes referred to as public intoxication. In most cases, drunk and disorderly is a misdemeanor. This means that if you don’t have a lot of previous interactions with the court system, legal counsel may be able to have the charge expunged from your record after you’ve met the judge’s conditions.
While drunk and disorderly is not considered as serious as some other charges, the court system takes substance abuse issues seriously. A judge may order you to attend drug court, seek rehabilitation services at court-ordered rehab centers, or attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. By following through on these recommendations, you are likely to avoid jail time. This can also result in lesser fines.
Can Rehab Help with Drug Possession or Drug Conspiracy Charges?
If you are charged with drug possession, there is also a risk of being charged with drug conspiracy. Possession involves having illegal substances on your person or in your belongings, while conspiracy charges indicate an intent to traffic, buy, or sell drugs.
The seriousness of possession-related legal issues varies depending on previous criminal behavior, the type of illegal substances you were caught with, and the amount of drugs in your possession.
Is It Helpful to Attend Rehab Before Drug Court?
Drug court supervision can be stricter than other court proceedings. Often, drug courts are used as a last chance for people facing jail time. It may also be a stipulation of probation or parole for people who have already been incarcerated for criminal behavior.
You will typically be required to attend a court-ordered rehab program by the judge and meet other stipulations including seeking mental health services, submitting to drug testing, maintaining employment, and avoiding other legal issues.
During drug court, active participation in court-ordered rehab programs is required as part of treatment. However, attending rehab before drug court shows that you are taking responsibility and making an effort to start turning your life around.
While you may not need to attend a rehab center for as long if you have attended a court-approved facility, you will still need to meet the drug court’s other stipulations to avoid incarceration.
Can Drug and Alcohol Rehab Help with My Child Custody Hearing?
Drug and alcohol use is often evaluated as part of custody hearings when a judge is deciding which parent to award primary custody to. Parents may be awarded sole custody if there is evidence that the other parent is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse.
Attending inpatient rehab is one way to prove to the courts that you are making necessary changes in your life to be a better, more responsible parent. The judge may require you to attend court-ordered rehab programs, submit to drug testing, take parenting classes, and prove that you have an appropriate living situation and employment.
Getting a jump start on rehab shows that you are eager to take the necessary steps to be granted partial or full custody again.
Should I Attend Rehab for Mental Health Problems Before Court?
When a mental disorder contributes to a person’s behavior, it is not uncommon for mental health treatment to be court-ordered. Even if you haven’t stood before a judge, though, seeking a mental health treatment program shows a willingness to cooperate.
Sometimes, individuals seeking addiction treatment also need help with mental health problems. A dual-diagnosis treatment program addresses these issues individually and together. By addressing both areas, there is the greatest chance of long-term sobriety and avoiding legal issues in the future.
The Criminal Justice System and Second Chances
Having a drug or alcohol problem is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. However, in some cases, the criminal justice system does give out second chances. This can change depending on your specific charges, the judge, and whether you have a prior record.
Even if you avoid incarceration, the judge may require you to attend AA or NA support meetings, complete rehab, have regularly scheduled therapy sessions, or submit to routine drug testing requirements. They may also set regular court dates or assign a probation officer that you will follow up with to ensure you are meeting the judge’s requirements.
Can I Attend Rehab if I Have Pending Charges?
In recent years, courts have recognized the importance of mental health and addiction treatment programs to prevent future crimes. Especially in cases of early intervention, offering support instead of legal consequences is sometimes the help that someone needs to turn around their life.
Rehab attendance is possible while you have pending charges. However, it is important to reach out to the court system first. The courts are not going to look for you if you miss a court date while you are in a rehabilitation program. They are more likely to issue a warrant for your arrest.
Steps for Attending Rehab with Pending Charges
If it is likely that you will miss your court date while attending rehab, you should inform the court of your intentions. They may ask for information on which rehab facility you’ll be attending and how long the program will last. Your court date may be rescheduled to accommodate the length of your chosen rehab program.
At Purpose, we are familiar with the legal process and how it is affected by a person’s decision to attend rehab. We can talk to the courts, confirm your attendance at our rehab facility, and help you learn valuable coping skills important for relapse prevention and long-term sobriety. Call us to learn more about your available options for treatment today.
What if I’m at Rehab During My Court Date?
Many courts offer pretrial diversion programs that allow you to attend rehab even if you have pending charges. Your court date will likely be pushed back until after you’ve completed the program. Then, the court may choose to dismiss or reduce charges based on whether you’ve completed rehab treatment successfully.
Alternatively, you may be able to temporarily leave the rehab facility for legal proceedings and return to the program after the trial. Your legal counsel can help you look at options or you can reach out to our team at Purpose directly.
Beyond Rehab: Considering How Substance Abuse Issues Affect Your Life
Facing legal challenges is just one substance abuse red flag. Often, drug or alcohol addiction leads to questionable choices and decision-making. These decisions can lead to court proceedings when drugs or alcohol are involved.
The legal process can be a challenging one, but attending rehab can show the drug courts you are making an effort to turn your life around.
Some of the Most Common Signs You May Have a Substance Abuse Problem
If you have a court case where drug or alcohol use plays a factor, it may be time to consider the effects that drugs or alcohol are having on your life.
Facing legal proceedings as a consequence of behaviors while you were drunk or high is one of the signs you are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. Some other signs you have a substance abuse problem include:
- Feeling as though drugs or alcohol are needed to feel ‘normal’
- Trying and failing to quit
- Developing a tolerance to alcohol and drugs and needing to use more for the same effect
- Spending more and more money on substances
- Feeling irritable or not like yourself when not under the influence
- Making poor decisions while under the influence
- Financial problems from spending money on drugs or alcohol
- Facing a court case or other legal outcomes
- Avoiding situations where you cannot be intoxicated
- Being under the influence at work, while driving, or at other times when it is inappropriate
- Having friends or family members who are concerned with substance use habits
- Hiding substance use from the people who care about you
You do not need to be experiencing all of these symptoms to attend a drug or alcohol rehab center. If you are still unsure of the effects substance abuse has on your life, consider scheduling a drug and alcohol assessment.
During this assessment, you’ll work with someone knowledgeable about addiction who will ask questions related to your personal health history, substance use habits, and family background to determine whether you’d benefit from an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program.
Does Court-Ordered Rehab Work?
Whether court-ordered rehab works depends on you and your willingness to change. For people who toe the line while necessary and then return to old habits, drug and alcohol rehab facilities are not effective. If you make a conscious effort, stick to your treatment plan, and make the necessary lifestyle changes, however, rehab can result in long-term sobriety.
How Can I Pay for the Cost of Rehab?
At Purpose, we work with many public and private health insurance companies. Many of our clients who have insurance coverage find that we work with their insurance company. If we are in-network for your provider, our inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services may be covered at little to no cost.
To find out more about the specifics of your insurance coverage, call us at Purpose. We can verify insurance over the phone and discuss treatment, often in minutes.
For clients who do not have insurance, there may be alternative options for payment. When rehab is ordered as an outcome of the legal process, you may be able to apply for financial help to pay for the inpatient rehabilitation costs. Some people also qualify for payment plans or other financial assistance.
Who Might Benefit from Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient treatment works well for most of our clients with substance use disorder. There is no guarantee that attending rehab will result in a positive legal outcome, however, if you are struggling with substance use, inpatient treatment can teach you skills for managing stresses, triggers, and cravings.
This is done in a safe, supportive environment where you don’t have the same access to drugs and alcohol that you might on the outside. Inpatient rehab is also beneficial for clients with drug or alcohol abuse problems who have co-occurring mental disorders.
Inpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse
The path to addiction recovery does not look the same for everyone. At Purpose, we recognize that the most effective treatments often include several evidence-based therapies. We also recognize that each of our clients is an individual and regardless of legal proceedings, we help create a plan that helps you achieve desired treatment outcomes.
For many people, inpatient rehab is a good first step to recovery. People who have been using alcohol or drugs for a long time often experience uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms after stopping the substance.
Inpatient rehab facilities help you detox in a safe environment under medical supervision. Sometimes, doctors at our rehabilitation center provide medication or other medical treatment to ease the severity of these symptoms. Being at a rehab center while you go through withdrawal also helps prevent relapse during a time when it is going to be most tempting to use drugs or alcohol.
Finally, an inpatient program provides guidance in an environment that supports sobriety. You will be able to focus on getting clean without the stress and chaos that exists in the outside world. After developing the skills you need to stay sober, you will be able to ease back into life.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
Not all court-ordered rehab centers offer the same quality of treatment that you’ll find at our Joint-Commission accredited facility. Private rehab centers may not have Joint Commission Accreditation and they may not work with all types of insurance.
At Purpose, our rehabilitation program is proven effective. And, we work with several types of insurance to make alcohol and drug rehab more accessible to communities that need it.
Furthermore, our dual-diagnosis substance abuse treatment plans allow you to get help with alcohol and drug addiction while addressing underlying mental health concerns. We treat both conditions using evidence-based therapies and techniques.
Many people struggling with alcohol or drug abuse also have co-occurring disorders. This disorder may have existed before drug and alcohol use, especially in cases where a person self-medicates to make themselves feel better. Alcohol and drug addiction can also cause mental symptoms like depression and anxiety, especially during the withdrawal process.
At Purpose, we understand the role that mental health plays in addiction recovery. Addressing mental health concerns alongside addiction treatment leads to a more favorable outcome for relapse prevention and long-term sobriety.
Outpatient Treatment Options
Even after receiving inpatient addiction treatment, the next steps that you take can determine if you face criminal charges again in the future. The contributing factors to both substance use disorder and problems with the legal system are similar, however, it stands that people tend to make better decisions when they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
After seeking addiction treatment for drug alcohol or drug abuse, it is important to continue with outpatient treatment options. Our outpatient rehab facilities offer partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs that are less intensive than inpatient therapy.
Participating in outpatient programs provides continued support with individual therapy, medication management, group therapy, and other treatment approaches. The approach to treatment changes based on your individual needs and goals.
After completing one of these programs, many clients continue to attend therapy and psychiatry appointments and participate in peer support groups. Having the right support is critical for long-term sobriety and success.
You’ll attend these programs for several hours each day but can sleep at home, go to work, attend school, and take care of your family. At Purpose, we offer these programs during the day, at night, and even on the weekends to ensure our client’s schedules never get in the way of them getting the help that they deserve.
Get Treatment Support for Better Legal Outcomes at Purpose
While there is no guarantee seeking addiction treatment will help your court case, attending rehab can never hurt. Pick up the phone and call Purpose today!
We can answer your questions about addiction treatment, schedule a time for you to visit the facility, and talk about the next steps for attending rehab if you have an upcoming court date.
Even if it doesn’t result in a more favorable legal outcome, getting substance abuse treatment can change your life or that of your loved one. Don’t hesitate- call us now and get more information today!
480-579-3319