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7 Things To Know About Court-Ordered Rehab

Court-ordered rehab is an increasingly common sentence handed down by judges around the country. There are many reasons court-ordered rehab has gained a foothold in judicial circles, including the fact that it has proven effective while prison sentences for nonviolent, first-time offenders has proven woefully ineffective.

However, that doesn’t mean rehab is guaranteed to work. If a person approaches rehab with a bad attitude, it is very likely the program they enter will be a waste of time. However, with the right perspective rehab can have fantastic results and keep individuals off the path to recidivism. 

Here are 7 things you should know about court-ordered rehab.

Plead Guilty, Avoid Prison

It might sound counterintuitive but in many cases the only way to avoid prison and instead get court-ordered rehab as your sentence is by pleading guilty. Of course, this legal strategy and defense does come with some risk and should only be pursued in consultation with a qualified criminal defense attorney.

However, if your lawyer does suggest pleading guilty, know that it might be because they think it can help you avoid prison and get the actual help you need.

Rehab is Effective

While for many prison has proven to be a recipe for recidivism, rehab has proven to be just the opposite. When judges view addiction and substance abuse as a disease instead of a crime and order treatment like rehab instead of punishment like prison, the results are astounding. Men and women around the country have been healed by successfully completing rehab.

You Can Choose Your Facility

Believe it or not, when a judge orders rehab, it can still come with plenty of freedom and options. He or she might stipulate the parameters of the program such as length and type of treatment; however, where and when you complete it is often up to you.

Not All Programs Are the Same

You will need to exercise some wisdom when choosing which facility and program to enter as not all treatment facilities and programs are the same. For example, individuals in need of methadone treatment have different needs from those who are getting over opioid abuse. Make sure the treatment program you enter is right for you. 

In many cases, the judge and your lawyer will work with you to determine the requirements your program must meet.

Not Completing Rehab Has Consequences

If you fail to enroll in or complete a qualified program within a timely manner you could be asking for trouble. The same goes for violating the terms of your sentence by taking or possessing drugs after your treatment is complete. Note that prison is more likely for repeat offenders.

Your Insurance Can Help Pay for Your Treatment

One of the most challenging parts of rehab is paying for it. If you are unsure how you are going to be able to afford the program you need to take, there are several things you can do to help.

First, you can consider asking family or friends to help foot the bill. There is also the possibility of taking out a loan. But the best option is checking into your health insurance to see what coverage options they have. 

Rehab Can Feel Like Prison

When you first arrive at a treatment facility, do not get discouraged if it feels like you are in prison. Doctors and staff who work at drug rehab centers know what works and what doesn’t. In some cases they might impose strict rules and restrictions, taking away things like phone calls and free time. 

The transition can be hard but if you give a solid effort and progress, simple freedoms can usually be restored in a relatively short period of time. Persevere, and before long you might be amazed at the progress you have made.

To learn more, call our Los Angeles criminal defense law firm at 213-995-6767 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.