How Do You Get a Drug or Alcohol Assessment in Colorado?
A drug or alcohol assessment in Colorado is a method that is used to assess the extent of an individual’s use, misuse, and abuse of drugs or alcohol. It is also a tool that can help in creating the most optimal treatment plan. Assessments are often used by employers, attorneys, families, and legal authorities when substance abuse is suspected. If you are looking for a Colorado addiction treatment center near Denver, call us today! A drug or alcohol assessment that’s mandated by the court is the result of legal issues, such as a drug or alcohol-related arrest. In other cases, it may be used because a loved one is concerned about potential substance use problems. Regardless, a drug or alcohol assessment in Colorado can be a crucial first step toward addiction recovery. Following a drug or alcohol evaluation in Colorado, an effective treatment plan will be created for the affected individual. The evaluation will serve as a basis of information that’ll help us tailor this plan to your specific needs. Here at Footprints to Recovery, we can help you navigate through a drug or alcohol assessment for personal or court purposes. What is a Drug or Alcohol Assessment? Substance abuse evaluations are split into two different parts. As stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the sections of a substance abuse evaluation consist of screening and an assessment. Substance Abuse Screening Substance abuse screening assesses an individual’s substance use patterns to determine whether or not there’s the potential of an abuse disorder being present. There are different types of screening, and the result of screening is generally yes (positive) or no (negative). If the answer is yes (positive), treatment will most likely need to be created for the recovering individual. Different variations of screenings for substance abuse include: It is worth noting that the screening part of the process is not the same as an assessment. Screening for drug and alcohol use is one of many tools that is used to assess whether or not an assessment is necessary. Drug or Alcohol Assessment The drug or alcohol assessment process is more thorough than screening. This is a way to further diagnose and assess the results of the screening. These results are then used to create a personalized treatment plan for the individual if deemed necessary. Assessments will be used to gain a thorough history of the affected individual. Drug or alcohol assessments in Colorado will cover previous substance use patterns, mental health, physical health, medical history, family history, and personal history. Remember, there’s no reason to be nervous about a drug or alcohol assessment! The drug or alcohol assessment is merely a way to find out more about your or a loved one’s addiction. Examples of questions you may be asked include: Preparing For a Drug and Alcohol Assessment You or a loved one may have to take a drug or alcohol assessment for personal purposes, or due to a court mandate. Whichever the case, you’ll need to have certain documents with you regardless. These documents may include: a copy of the results of your Needs Assessment if you went to a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (RRP), a report from the Department of Driver Services or Department of Motor Vehicles describing your driving history (generally going back 7 years), a copy of any criminal history or arrests, and a copy of the arrest report. A drug or alcohol assessment generally takes anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. A certified addiction specialist will walk you through each step. A thorough review of your drug or alcohol abuse history will also take place to get the most accurate analysis for a treatment plan to be created. Why Are Drug or Alcohol Assessments Mandated by Court? A drug or alcohol assessment mandated by the court is used to determine whether or not the affected individual has a substance use problem. These mandated assessments are often a result of a substance-related assessment. For example, the individual may have been driving under the influence or caught with an illegal substance. Following a drug or alcohol assessment given by the court, at least one of the following may be mandated: What is the Purpose of a Drug or Alcohol Assessment Mandated by Court? Drug or alcohol assessments hold the purpose of determining whether or not the individual is struggling with addiction. This assessment is a collection of questions and means by which an addiction specialist can analyze you or a loved one. The goal is to give help to those who need it. These assessments serve as a thorough evaluation. After the evaluation, a treatment plan is put in place if deemed necessary. There are many reasons as to why a drug or alcohol assessment is mandated by the court: A Drug or Alcohol Assessment in Colorado Can Help You Jumpstart Addiction Recovery Addiction recovery consists of many treatment services tailored to the unique individual to overcome addiction, as well as any co-occurring disorders. Addiction recovery is a journey that requires a plan and action to be taken. However, the most important part is that first step. Taking the first step in seeking help can be scary. A drug or alcohol assessment in Colorado can help you be honest with yourself, so you can take those initial steps in addiction recovery. Coming to terms with any toxic behaviors and patterns allows you to find a solution so that you can learn healthier ways of coping. In treatment, you’ll learn how to develop skills that’ll help you long after you leave our recovery center. It also helps to remember that the medical professionals and law officials around you want to help you, so be honest when any questions are asked! Honesty is what will allow us to create the most accurate and thorough treatment plan for you or a loved one. The court-mandated drug or alcohol
A Colorado Bill Defelonizing Schedule I & II Drugs
Colorado’s HB 19-1263 aims to “defelonize” possession and use of certain amounts of Schedule I and II drugs. The goal is to reduce incarceration rates related to minor drug offenses, save taxpayers money, and get people addiction help when they need it. Drug Law Changes Strategies to deal with drug use and abuse have changed drastically throughout U.S. history. Attitudes toward addiction have also changed. In the 1960s, drug use became more common among the middle class and was a sign of rebellion. In response, federal and state governments came up with various programs, departments, laws, and regulations to control drug use and possession. Proposed and enacted solutions include the expansion of methadone use for heroin addicts in prison, the War on Drugs, and the formation of the Drug Enforcement Administration. One of the newest changes to drug policy in the state of Colorado is HB 19-1263. This law is a means to “defelonize” Schedule I and II drugs. Overview on HB 19-1263 Colorado HB 19-1263 was signed into law on May 28, 2019. It will be effective as of March 1, 2020. It was meant to change certain statutes of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 2013.The bill changes the way people will be affected if they are arrested because of drug possession in the following ways: Sentencing is also affected by the law. The bill also sets money aside for grants to implement treatment and mental health services, and find ways to reduce jail and prison sentences for people who become entangled with the criminal justice system. What Supporters Say Those who support HB19-1263 say it will help stop the cycle of arresting people because of drug problems. Supporters believe the bill would save taxpayer money by reducing the amount of time people spend in jail or prison. Currently, it is difficult for people with felonies on their record to find work or a place to live. The bill may reduce this issue for people trying to get back on track by decreasing their likelihood of committing a felony. Supporters also cite success with defelonizing drugs in states like California and Utah. They say drug courts in states like Utah can now better concentrate on people with high needs. Furthermore, supporters mention that people who repeatedly offend can still be charged with a felony if they do not change their ways. What Some Opponents Say Some sheriffs oppose HB 19-1263 because they feel those who are sentenced to jail may end up in places with no resources to treat drug use, such as the Department of Corrections. An El Paso County sheriff commented that this bill could become an issue during the current opioid crisis, and he cited fears that the bill may not be good for local authorities. Detractors use Seattle as an example of what could go wrong once this law is implemented. The City of Seattle reports that overdose is a dominant cause of death among the homeless in its populace. More residents of Seattle sought help for heroin detox than for alcohol detox in 2014. Treatment vs. Jail Time for Drug Offenses There are some cases in which inmates can receive treatment for drug use in prisons, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Studies show that prison programs to treat drug use must be adequately funded, have enough qualified staff members, provide proven and effective treatment that addresses other aspects of a person’s life in addition to their drug use, and provide aftercare once an inmate is released or in parole. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that society loses up to $193 billion because of drug abuse. This number takes into account the cost of dealing with offenders in a criminal justice setting and losses of people who are victims of drug-related crimes. In contrast, treating drug problems may cost $14.6 billion. Treating individuals with drug use disorders may also mitigate losses related to crime, productivity, and putting offenders in jail. The Bottom Line There are pros and cons to HB 19-1263, as there are to any law. By defelonizing certain levels of drug use and possession, the hope is that people will be able to seek addiction treatment if they need it rather than ending up in a cycle of drug use and incarceration. Time will show if the new law has this effect and exactly how much money it ends up saving taxpayers in the process.
Evening IOP Hours at Our Footprints to Recovery Colorado Location
The goal of these evening hours is to offer services to individuals who work or cannot attend day treatment. Evening IOP Sessions Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 5:30-8:30pm Enroll Today. Call
