Drugs and alcohol have a terrible tendency to cause legal troubles that can be very hard for some people to manage. If you end up experiencing one of these problems, you may get a substance use evaluation to see where you stand. This situation is one that can be very confusing for some or even emotionally challenging. As a result, it is necessary to fully understand these evaluations and how they can affect you and your recovery.
What is a Substance Use Evaluation?
A substance use evaluation (or SAE) is almost always a court-ordered situation that gauges the level of your substance use, your criminal history, and your driving record. You will usually go through this type of evaluation after being pulled over or arrested for a DUI or a DWI. If the arresting officer thinks that you may be on a different kind of drug, they’ll do a screening and evaluation. This process usually requires a myriad of different elements, including:
- An interview with you at the time of your arrest to gauge your sobriety
- Examinations of supporting documents, including the arrest report
- A look at your urinalysis tests to get an idea of whether or not you were on any drugs at the time
When you go through this type of analysis, the court will charge you for the evaluation. If the court orders you into treatment, you’ll also have to pay for your care. In most states, the cost of this type of evaluation is usually no more than $100 to $150. However, you must prepare to pay that fee when the judge asks, or he or she may charge you with contempt of the court.
When is A Substance Use Evaluation Necessary?
Are you going to go through a substance use evaluation every time you get pulled over for a DUI? That depends on many factors. In some states, officers are encouraged to perform this type of test reasonably frequently because they believe that it can capture more offenders. However, other districts are less strict about this process and may not require one for every DUI that a person experiences.
Typically, the call to do a test or not falls on the arresting officer. They will suggest this type of analysis after taking somebody into the police district. Once you complete the test, the officer almost always places the information into evidence for their case. Therefore, there is a good chance that a test like this could end up affecting what happens in your situation.
What Happens When They are Done?
After the medical and legal professionals look through your substance use evaluation, they will decide if you were on drugs or not. If they conclude that you were under the influence, a few things can happen. First of all, your DUI penalty may end up being more severe. The judge may order you into treatment, depending on your state. These treatments can include:
- Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings
- Outpatient or inpatient care programs
- Substance use education sessions
- Random drug testing throughout your probation
- Individual or group therapy sessions
- Aftercare once you finish treatment
What is interesting about this situation is that the court may NOT decide that you need to go to therapy if they do not believe that you have a real substance use disorder. This situation occurs if they believe, based on your arrest record and other factors, that you do not regularly abuse drugs but only tried them once.
However, some courts may still order you into rehab, anyway. When this happens, you need to be prepared to work with high-quality professionals who can give you the recovery help that you need to avoid legal troubles like these.
Let Us Help You Today
If you received a substance use evaluation and need to go to rehab, please contact us at Crestview Recovery today to learn more. Our experts work with people from all walks of life and can provide all of the care options mentioned above. We also specialize in dual-diagnosis care and much more. So please verify your insurance and call 866.262.0531 to get the court-ordered help that you need.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
