Did you know that Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenses made up more than one third of all substance-related offenses in the United States? Unfortunately, without receiving professional treatment, the chances of first-time DUI offenders becoming repeat offenders are high. The good news is that there are steps you can take towards recovery after your first offense, including attending DUI telehealth sessions.
In this article, we explain your treatment options after your first DUI offense and why you should attend telehealth sessions during the pandemic.
What Treatment Is Needed?
Before deciding on the best course of professional treatment, an assessment of factors surrounding the person’s background are established alongside the circumstances of the crime. These factors include:
- History of substance use
- Coexisting physical or mental health issues
- Relationship status and living situation
- Employment status
- Criminal history
These factors are taken into consideration to determine if a person has a high chance of repeating a DUI offense. Treatment is then personalized by care and frequency based on this risk level and severity of the offense.
Repeat DUI Offenses
Did you know that around half of DUI offenders are repeat offenders? To reduce the chances of reoffending, an analysis of the risk factors is necessary. Below are some similarities between first-time and repeat DUI offenders.
- Histories of alcohol and drug abuse
- Similar mental health issues
- Belong to similar demographics
By assessing and targeting those with the above risk factors, the chances of reoffending can be significantly reduced. In order to do so, a targeted treatment plan catered to the individual circumstances of the crime and offender is recommended.
Treatment Options
The treatment options for first-time DUI offenders are usually a combination of two or more of the below:
- DUI telehealth sessions
- Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
- Individual or group therapy
- Medication
- Substance abuse treatment
In serious cases, partial hospitalization, sober living homes or inpatient substance abuse treatment can also be recommended. However, for minor offenses, the above outpatient treatments would usually suffice. In view of the current pandemic crisis, DUI telehealth sessions – where group and individual counselling is offered via online platforms such as Zoom – is getting increasingly common.
DUI Telehealth Sessions for First Offenders
What are DUI telehealth sessions? They consist of a combination of:
- Education and discussion sessions
- Assessments
- Group and individual therapy
DUI telehealth sessions targeted at first offenders are further broken down into length and frequency based on the severity of the offense. These tele-health sessions are offered during the time of the pandemic but will return to in person meetings once agreed upon by the state. At Jackson-Bibby Awareness Group, we offer the following DUI telehealth sessions for first offenders:
- BAC below 0.08%: 12 hour program
- BAC below 0.15%: 3 or 4 month program
- BAC between 0.15% to 0.19%: 6 month program
- BAC above 0.2%: 9 month program
Rehabilitation from A Safe Distance
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Jackson-Bibby Awareness Group is now conducting DUI telehealth sessions remotely instead of in person. We believe that this is the best way to observe safe distancing measures while conducting treatment and promoting rehabilitation. However, you can be rest assured that DUI telehealth sessions are only a temporary measure and as soon as we are given the all clear, group sessions will resume in person once again. If there is anything you are unsure of, please feel free to take a look at our FAQs.
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