Data suggests that 65 percent of the United States prison population has an active substance use disorder. An additional 20 percent were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time they committed their crimes, but didn’t meet the criteria for an actual substance use disorder. Unfortunately, there’s almost no meaningful treatment that takes place inside jails and prisons. The treatment that does exist is subpar, and individuals are released from jail still suffering from addiction and substance use disorders without having received treatment and without the means necessary to access treatment. People struggling with drug addiction often end up committing crimes again as a way to get money for drugs, and then they get arrested again, creating this cycle that seemingly never ends.
For people who are looking to quit using drugs or alcohol, a detox facility can be a great place to start. The goal of detox is for a person to get the drugs out of their system while they are under the supervision of trained medical staff who can make sure that they are safe. Detoxing from many substances without professional help can be dangerous, leading to seizures, coma, or even death in some circumstances. When a person enters a detox facility, they’re often treated with medication to assist in their weaning off of drugs. Detox is typically done in a hospital setting or in a separate unit in a residential rehab facility where nurses and doctors oversee the patients. This generally isn’t seen as a sufficient treatment plan for someone who wants to stop using drugs, but getting the drugs out of your system is a necessary first step.
The most common step after detox is to then attend an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Many of the rehab facilities in the United State subscribe to 12 Step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. When you’re in an inpatient facility, you usually attend group therapy sessions, meet with an individual substance abuse counselor, and have private sessions with a psychiatrist. The goal of rehab is to learn what caused you to start using drugs in the first place, how to stop, and how to live without drugs once you’re released. It can be a scary and intimidating experience, but for many, entering rehab is the best decision they’ll ever make.
One of the main issues with rehab facilities is the lack of access for people who desperately need help. Insurance companies often don’t want to pay, and facilities that don’t take insurance are exorbitantly expensive. If you’re lucky enough to have the resources to access inpatient treatment, you should do your best to take advantage of it.
After you complete inpatient treatment – which could take anywhere from two weeks to two years, depending on the program – many facilities will recommend that you step down to their Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). This is essentially the same as inpatient rehab, but at the end of the day, you go home and sleep at your own house. Most PHPs are held in a rehab facility, so you’re going through the same types of groups and meetings as if you were inpatient. This is a good transition back into the real world after you’ve been in rehab.
People typically attend a PHP for four to eight weeks. Once you successfully complete this program, the next step is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). At IOP, you attend group sessions, meetings with a counselor, and often meet privately with a psychiatrist as well. The main difference is that IOP is usually three times per week for three to four hours per day. It is less intensive than the previous steps.
Once you complete IOP, the goal is to maintain your abstinence and get your life back on track. For some, this might mean attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings. For others, this might just mean seeing a therapist and getting back to school or work. Whatever you do, make sure you have a plan in place that will help you meet your goals.
Drugs and the criminal justice system are inevitably intertwined. Ideally, drug treatment will be accessible to everyone one day, which would almost certainly cut down on arrests and the prison population. Unfortunately, we aren’t quite there yet. If you’ve been charged with a crime and need drug treatment, agreeing to enter into that treatment can often help you receive a reduced sentence in your criminal case. Attorney William S. Kroger can help you get the treatment you need, and he can assist you with any pending criminal charges as well. He has been handling all types of criminal cases for more than a decade, and he knows how important treatment is in preventing people from being forever trapped in the criminal justice system. If you need help with criminal drug charges, or you need assistance being placed into a rehab facility, don’t hesitate to contact Attorney William S. Kroger for a free consultation. Set up a meeting by calling 323-655-5700 or by messaging the office today.
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This page was reviewed and approved by William S. Kroger, a leading criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. Mr. Kroger has decades of experience defending clients in both state and federal courts. He is recognized for his strong trial skills and dedication to protecting the rights of the accused. Throughout his career, he has successfully represented clients facing a wide range of serious criminal charges. His personalized defense strategies are designed to achieve the best possible outcome in every case. Clients trust Mr. Kroger for his knowledge, commitment, and proven results.
He is also an active member of respected legal organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers. With his expertise and reputation, William S. Kroger is regarded as one of California’s top defense lawyers.
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