Incarceration in the county jail offers no rehabilitative benefit for the DUI offender. Unfortunately, some people have addiction problems to alcohol that are simply not addressed with being punished by incarceration. A large number of people get into serious trouble because of their drinking. Currently, nearly 14 million Americans�"1 in every 13 adults�"abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.
As a result of the widespread problem of alcohol-abuse, there has been an enormous change in how addicts and alcoholics are regarded by the court system. It is ineffective to simply lock away addicts and alcoholics without treating the underlying addiction issues. Instead judges and prosecutors want substance abusers to stop using in order to lessen the risk of recidivism. Therefore, the alternative to incarceration is treatment in an established and state licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
There are many different types of rehab available, for both men and women, separately or together. Most rehabs are private and can be very expensive. Sometimes there are waiting lists for an available bed. The length of treatment varies, but the average time is 30 days. Treatment may include behavior modification and/or medication. Three commonly used behavioral treatments for alcohol abuse and alcoholism�"motivation enhancement therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step facilitation therapy�"significantly reduced drinking in the year following treatment. Medication such as naltrexone (ReVia™), an anti-craving medication, has been shown to be effective, especially when combined with behavior therapy.
Alcohol and drug rehabs can be used to replace the alcohol education programs that are instituted as part of the DUI conviction. California Vehicle Code section 23598 states that in lieu of an alcohol or drug education program, the court may impose a live-in alcohol treatment term of probation instead. The court will impose that the DUI offender complete such a program so long as the person consents and has been accepted into that program. The type of proof that is required is a certification, made under penalty of perjury, by the director of the program. The time spent in rehabilitation is counted against the time that would otherwise have been spent incarcerated in a county jail. This is referred to as good time custody credits.
When you are searching for an alcohol and drug rehab program, it is important that you select a facility that will best suit the needs of the person in need of treatment. Whether it's you, a family member or friend, the most important part of the selection process is ensuring that the facility will be able to offer not only a quality treatment program, but also a professional counseling and support system throughout the entire rehabilitation process.
One of the best ways to find a quality alcohol and drug rehab facility is through the referral of a physician, many of whom will offer a recommendation as to the best treatment options for an individual following a determination as to his/her level of alcohol and/or drug dependency. Without the recommendation of a physician, individuals will have to search for a treatment facility on their own. One way of doing this is by looking through the yellow pages of a local telephone book or searching the web for local treatment facilities.
While each alcohol and drug rehab treatment program is different, the basic fundamentals are the same. Most facilities have a strict list of guidelines that every patient must adhere to including which items can and cannot be brought onto the premises. This is especially true of an inpatient treatment facility, which offers housing to patients. Most programs begin with a detoxification process, often referred to simply as 'detox,' which is followed by a treatment program customized to the patient's needs. During this time, counseling sessions and various activities will be participated in by the patient in order to show them the benefits of living a drug and alcohol free life.
According to their level of dependency, patients may be required to attend an inpatient program. As mentioned previously, this entails the patient actually residing on the property during the treatment process. During this time, there is 24-hour supervision with inpatient care. Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, is for individuals who are able to continue living their life, attending school or work and everyday functions without the concern of substance abuse. An outpatient treatment program allows for an individual to live at home and attend regular counseling meetings, such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or other treatment program. The decision between an inpatient or outpatient treatment program will depend heavily on the level of addiction and the patient's ability to resist alcohol and drugs without constant supervision.
This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice regarding the treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. Prior to selecting a quality alcohol and drug rehab facility, individuals should consult a licensed medical doctor for a proper diagnosis and recommendation for treatment.
Both Darren Kavinoky & Matt Shupe are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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