DUI Rehab

What is a DUI Offense?

DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence, and refers to the offense of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while under the impairment of alcohol or other drugs, usually to the extent that the driver has become incapable of safely operating their motor vehicle. A DUI rehab offers help for those who have been ordered to attend treatment or seek to help their own case by doing so.

In Florida law, for instance, a DUI will be administered after you have been proven to be under the influence of alcohol or other illicit substances either through apparent impairment of normal abilities or having an unlawful blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or above.

A law enforcement officer will determine a person’s BAC through a sobriety test involving mobility and speech checks or through a blood or breathalyzer test.

Keep reading to find out the best options for a DUI rehab that can reduce sentencing from a judge and keep you protected from the harshest consequences of DUI charges!

The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

There are several dangers associated with driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other chemical substance. This is because these substances can all impair your ability to properly function, which is necessary for you to be able to safely operate a vehicle.

Even if your blood alcohol content is below the legal limit of 0.08, your substance use can still cause slow reaction times, loss of coordination, decreased concentration abilities, inadequate judgment and impaired vision.

Driving under the influence can put you at risk of not just getting arrested, but of being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death to both yourself and/or others. In fact, about 30% of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers.

What Happens If I Get a DUI?

The legal consequences you may face after being charged with a DUI can vary based on several factors. If it is your first DUI and no injuries were caused, this will likely result in a misdemeanor charge.

Multiple DUI offenses, on the other hand, will likely bring more severe consequences and a larger impact on your life for the long term than may be expected with your first offense.

If you are convicted of a DUI where you have caused severe bodily harm or even a fatality to another individual, this may result in you being sent to prison for a much longer period, as well as having to pay restitution fees to the victim or their family.

More Possible Consequences for a DUI Offense

If you are convicted, you may have your driver’s license suspended for anywhere up to a few months, and be charged with a fine ranging between hundreds to thousands of dollars; this, of course, does not include the hefty legal fees you will likely have to pay.

You may also have to serve up to a year in jail. This may also include several years of probation, mandatory community service, or safe driving and substance abuseeducation courses taught by law enforcement officers or other qualified instructors.

In some cases, you may also receive a court-ordered temporary ignition interlock device to be installed on your vehicle. This can be extremely disruptive for your life, as it can put a serious limit on your means of transportation.

This loss of your driving privileges will have a direct impact on your ability to commute to and from work or school, resulting in lost wages, academic performance, and credibility.

Your car insurance will also suffer, with the costs of this bill significantly increasing now that your driving behavior and choices have become a liability for your provider.

Whether you have received one or multiple DUI charges and convictions, these can have a massive negative effect on your life. This is why it is best to never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or using any other chemical substance.

Can I go to a DUI Rehab Instead of Jail for Drunk Driving?

Most DUI convictions, whether misdemeanors or felonies, will require spending time in jail, alongside other penalties.

However, with court approval, these potential consequences can be replaced with alternative sentences, which can serve as a credit towards your mandated jail time.

These alternative options, with rehab instead of jail, are typically offered for a misdemeanor, non-violent DUI case, where the defendant does not have a prior violent criminal record.

If the judge believes the defendant’s DUI charge is minor enough, they may offer a special alternative to their jail sentence in the form of attending a Residential Drug or Alcohol Treatment program. Rehab instead of jail time is preferable to most offenders in this case.

For many DUI offenders, this is a favorable alternative, as it can help them address the reality of problematic alcohol use. Furthermore, completing DUI treatment programs will look much better on their personal and driving record than jail time will.

Completing an inpatient treatment program is also often viewed positively by the person’s judge and case manager, and can be seen as more valuable time spent recovering from one’s substance abuse than lost doing jail time.

What Are Drug Courts?

In many cases, an alternative to giving offenders a jail sentence is sending them to drug court. In some states, the term ‘drug court’ also refers to programs that can divert drunk-driving offenders to rehab instead of jail. These court systems can help participants recover from their substance use disorder, while simultaneously focusing on reducing future criminal activity.

This alternative option to incarceration helps to reduce the burden and costs of processing repeat low‐level, non‐violent offenders through the country’s courts, jails, and prisons by providing these individuals with an actual opportunity to be treated and educated.

While participating in the drug court system, offenders are required to abstain from drug and alcohol abuse, consistently receive treatment, and commit to taking responsibility for their actions and fulfilling the legal responsibilities of their offenses.

Alcohol treatment programs are often a part of the drug court offerings, though in some cases may be a part of other court-ordered treatment systems, depending on your state.

Specialized Forms of Addiction Treatment through the Courts

These specialized court docket programs most often help non-violent criminal defendants and offenders, juvenile offenders, and parents with pending child welfare cases who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. DUI courts are a form of special form of judicial oversight for alcohol-related offenses and can help restore your driving privileges more quickly.

These systems may also include family treatment drug courts, or FTDCs, which use a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to help families affected by addiction, particularly those who are a part of the child welfare system, find treatment options.

What is Court-Ordered Rehab?

If you have been charged with a DUI, you may be referred to court-mandated inpatient treatment instead of incarceration. This may include both clinical and holistic services as a part of your substance abuse treatment process.

Your court-ordered addiction treatment may include participating in medical detox programs, a mental health evaluation, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, and sober support groups. You may also receive dual diagnosis treatment if you are struggling with a co-occurring mental illness.

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How Do I Know If I Need a Rehab Program?

Accepting that you or a loved one may be struggling with substance abuse or alcohol addiction can be a difficult and painful thing to do.

However, this will be absolutely necessary in order to get the help you need to overcome these habits, especially if they pose the risk of causing harm to yourself or others. There are several signs to look out for that may indicate problems with drug and alcohol use, including:

• Taking a harmful substance in larger doses or for longer than intended.
• Spending time with those you might otherwise avoid or socializing only with alcohol.
• Trying to reduce or stop use of a harmful substance, but being unsuccessful by oneself.
• Spending large amounts of time acquiring, using, or recovering from the effects of a harmful substance.
• Experiencing intense substance cravings when not using or reducing the usual amount taken.
• Having difficulty keeping up with work, home, or school responsibilities due to substance use.
• Continuing to use a harmful substance despite it causing problems within relationships.
• Giving up important or previously enjoyable activities, obligations, or hobbies in order to continue using a substance.
• Using a substance even in potentially dangerous situations, such as while driving, operating heavy machinery, or performing other risky activities.
• Continuing to use a substance despite this potentially causing or worsening an underlying physical or mental health condition.
• Developing a tolerance to a substance, and needing to use increasingly higher doses or more frequently in order to achieve the desired effect.
• Developing withdrawal symptoms when no longer using or reducing the normal dose of a substance.

If you notice any of the above signs in yourself or a loved one, it may be time to begin seeking out professional treatment programs and recovery support, before these habits have the chance to get any worse, or cause harm to yourself or others.

The Types of Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

There are several different treatment methods and levels of care that may be used when recovering from addiction. Depending on your personal care needs, the treatment options that will likely best work for you may vary.

Some of the most common treatment methods used during the rehabilitation process may include:

• Medical detox programs
• Inpatient rehab programs
• Outpatient programs
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Behavioral therapies

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a comprehensive treatment approach that integrates multiple of these recovery methods can give you your best chance at achieving and maintaining sobriety.

This is because integrated treatment and addiction management methods help to ensure that every aspect of your substance abuse is being addressed and treated. Of course, looking for a treatment provider and program that can address all of these needs can be difficult.

Seeking professional medical advice from your healthcare provider or speaking with an addiction specialist, such as a Rehabs Of Armerica representative, can help you narrow down what treatment options will work best for you.

FAQs on Rehab Instead of Jail for a DUI

Can I go to Jail for my First DUI offense?

Although many states offer addiction treatment or other diversion programs for first time offenders, it varies on your criminal history and the exact situation.

Does Alcohol Treatment Help Lessen DUI Charges?

Although it is not a magic solution to all drunk driving consequences, attending alcohol treatment at a rehab program can help make a judge view your case more favorably. With reports of success from a treatment center, you can often avoid the worst effects of a DIU charge and failing a sobriety test.

I don’t intend to quit drinking alcohol. Can rehab still help me?

Even if you don’t want to stop drinking after a DUI, rehab can still help with avoiding jail. Staying sober during your time at a treatment center can help restore your driving privileges faster and allow a judge to look more favorably on your case.

Find a DUI Treatment Center Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol and have recently received a DUI charge, our recovery representatives can help you find a substance abuse treatment program and treatment options that can address all of your personal care needs.

At Rehabs Of Armerica, our hotline is available 24/7 so that we can give you constant access to recovery information and resources you will need to start building a healthier and safer lifestyle, both for yourself and others.

Just by calling today, we can help you take the first step on your recovery journey, where you can build a safer and substance-free future for you and your loved ones, today!