Substance Abuse Screening and Counseling
Jail time is mandatory for all convictions of DUI
in Arizona. However, if you submit to an alcohol and/or drug screening
and complete the recommended education or treatment the court may
suspend part of your jail time.
Typically you will be asked to submit to the alcohol/drug
screening immediately after your sentence has been ruled upon. In
most cases the screening office is located in the courthouse. However,
you may be able to re-schedule. The screening process, on the average,
takes about 2 hours and consists of a multiple-choice test and a
review conducted by a substance abuse screener. The exam asked questions
such as “Do your family members tell you that you have a drinking
problem?” or “Do you blackout when you drink?”
and measures truthfulness and the probability of a drinking or drug
problem.
After you have completed the test, you will be called
in to speak with a counselor who will further question you and determine
the appropriate education and/or treatment. If you don’t have
a drinking or drug problem it is possible that you will not be required
to complete any education or treatment, however, in most cases 2-6
8 hour (M.A.D.D.) classes are recommend and therefore required if
you want your prison time to be reduced.
Arizona Behavioral Counseling, Inc (A.B.C.) typically
organizes and conducts the program. Classes are usually held 9:00
am to 5:30 pm on Sunday and the counselors do require that you stay
the entire time. A reminder confirming the class schedule should
be mailed a week or so in advance. The program covers the effects
alcohol has on the body, addiction and treatment, and a self-analysis.
To reinforce awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, stories
of alcohol related accidents are told.
Informational packets and movies are provided by the National Council
on Alcoholism:
http://www.ncadd.org/
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