Each year, the United States spends 47 billion dollars on the war on the drugs, and 1,632,921 people were arrested for drugs last year. Depending on which side you ask, the war on drugs has been successful or vastly expensive. Despite your stance, drug addiction runs rampant in our communities, and drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine run freely over our borders and poison our citizens. For some, they lose all control of their drug use that leads to committing crimes to maintain their habit. Some steal, some sell their bodies, and some devise schemes to prolong their high. A full-blown addiction is the result of people losing all control, and sometimes their only option for sobriety is a mandated drug rehab center.
Mandatory drug treatment programs are on the rise, but can someone truly recover if they are forced into treatment? Some people believe so. A mother named Alecia Gordon admits that forced drug treatment was the best option for her 19-year-old son. “If it wasn’t court-ordered, he really might not have survived.” While some researchers believe that forcing people into short-term drug rehab may not be an adequate means of achieving sobriety, it hasn’t stopped many states from expanding the use of involuntary commitments for drug and alcohol addiction. It may not work on everyone, but even if it saves a small percentage of these people, it is worth it. The question begs, can you choose a court-ordered drug rehab center?
You are able to choose your rehab center, but it mostly depends on your sentence from the court when it comes to choosing, and varying penalties may require different forms of addiction treatment based on the crime that was committed. Mandatory requirements could include individual or group counseling, outpatient program participation, or enrolling in a long-term residential program. The court also understands that relapse is a part of the recovery process, and the judge will make sure the client enrolls in the most effective form of drug rehab possible. Addiction is a disease that will be present for life, and learning how to live outside of active addiction will be the difference between life and death. What is court-ordered rehab exactly?
What Is Court-Ordered Rehab?
Court ordered rehab is something the defendant of a drug-related crime may have to do instead of going to jail. Many drug users opt for this choice, and those who get arrested for trafficking level charges will say they are drug users to get reduced penalties and go to rehab instead of jail. If the judge and prosecution believe that the defendant will respond better to treatment than prison, they intend to help the person rather than put them in jail. Many of us forget that the court’s purpose is to find help for us and not ruin our lives.
As the name indicates, court-ordered rehab is mandatory rehabilitation from a substance use disorder as ordered by a judge as part of a court ruling. It will often be handed out as an alternative to jail, which is a punishment that might not match the severity of the crime. It’s typical for someone who was under the influence of a substance, illicit or legal when they committed the offense to be ordered to participate in a compulsory rehabilitation program.
Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, which impair their judgment and commit a minor crime will typically have this option. Those ordered to go through court-ordered drug treatment can be your neighbor next door and are usually just an everyday person. If the crime committed is not violent, the judge has the opportunity to rule toward rehab instead of prosecution or incarceration.
Emergency Court-Ordered Drug Rehab
There is another level of court-ordered rehab known as an emergency order. An emergency order requires a screening investigation where police officers and addiction specialists take part. When the person is taken into custody to determine if they qualify for an emergency order, they must be found unable to control their actions, use drugs daily, and are suffering health problems as a direct result of their drug use. A court hearing will be scheduled, and the drug user’s family will have the ability to plead their case.
How To Get Court-Ordered Rehab?
As mentioned above, a court serves to help the citizens, and sometimes they understand that a prison sentence is not a feasible option for someone with drug addiction. Addiction impairs judgment and leads people to commit crimes they would have never done in their right mind. Addiction is often the driving force behind an offense as the person may commit illegal acts as a means to get money for drugs.
When the crime is not violent, the judge can suggest a court-mandated drug program as opposed to prosecution or incarceration. Many times, this will be done in a first or second offense. Court-ordered rehab is a way to achieve the same result with the least effort and stress possible to government resources as well as the defendant.
The Court Will Order Rehab Instead of Jail Time if Specific Criteria Are Met – These Include:
- The crime was committed as a direct or indirect result of dependence on drugs
- The crime was nonviolent
- The person qualifies for a probation sentence
- The court believes the person would benefit from drug or alcohol rehab
Who Gets Treatment Instead of Incarceration?
Some requirements must be met if someone should receive court-ordered rehab instead of prison.
The Offender Should Be Able to Apply for Drug Treatment Instead of Jail if These Conditions Are Met:
- The person will benefit from drug or alcohol treatment
- The person qualifies for a probation sentence
- The person was addicted to drugs or alcohol at the time the crime was committed
- The offense was solely the result of drug or alcohol dependence
Who Pays For Court-Ordered Rehab?
You are responsible for the costs associated with drug rehab and the courts. Fortunately, as we mentioned earlier in the article, you will have the right to choose the treatment center. It will allow you to factor in cost, and where the best option is based on several factors. When you are placed in drug or alcohol treatment, you must remain until it has been completed successfully. If you have been arrested and able to attend treatment as an alternative to jail, it can be the last chance before you end up in prison or worse, death. Addiction is a disease that will not heal on its own, and it is imperative you get treatment that offers the entire continuum of care. If you are serious about long-term sobriety, the treatment center you choose must tailor the attention you require to your specific needs. It will contribute to the wellness of your body and mind.
Call Serenity at Summit if You Have Court-Ordered Rehab
If you have the option to choose treatment instead of jail, you will have a better chance of abstaining from drugs or alcohol long-term. If you are placed in jail, you will not have the ability to complete the continuum of care, and you will not address the underlying issues that cause addiction. If you are looking for the best possible care, look no further.Let Serenity at Summit be the outlet that saves you from jail and addiction. Our specialists are ready to listen to your story today and be the light at the end of a long tunnel. Feel free to give us a call right now at 855-956-4940 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help.
