When you are suffering from substance abuse issues, it is extremely common to deal with some legal problems. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 80% of prison inmates abuse drugs or alcohol, and 244,000 Americans are sent to prison annually for drug-related crimes.[1]
Oftentimes, drug-related charges include some form of probation or parole. When you are attempting to better yourself by completing the conditions of your probation or parole, you might be wondering if you can attend addiction treatment at the same time. Going to rehab while on probation or parole would allow you to address your legal issues and your addiction simultaneously, preventing you from re-offending, but is this allowed?
What are the Basic Conditions of Probation and Parole?
If you are wondering whether you can go to rehab while you are on probation or parole, it is important to understand the basic conditions of the two sentences. This will help you ensure that you do not violate the conditions of your parole or probation if you are allowed to attend rehab.
The following includes the basic rules associated with probation and parole:
- You must regularly report to your probation officer
- Notify any address changes
- Avoid committing any type of crime
- Avoid associating with other criminals
- Submit to home, vehicle, and personal belonging searches
- Avoid using drugs or alcohol or having weapons
If you do not comply with the rules of your probation or parole sentence, you will be sent back to jail. As a result, it is important to be aware of the specific rules attached to your probation or parole.
Can You Go to Rehab While on Probation or Parole?
It is possible to go to rehab while you are on probation or parole. However, there are some qualifications you must meet.
Oftentimes, drug-related offenses are responded to with mandatory rehab. If you commit a drug-related crime, you may be asked to attend rehab anyway. This process is called court-ordered drug rehab, which is commonly encouraged by the probation and parole departments.
To be eligible for court-ordered rehab, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have been addicted to drugs or alcohol at the time which the crime was committed
- Crimes were indirectly or directly caused by your drug or alcohol dependence
- You will benefit from attending drug or alcohol addiction treatment
- You qualify for a probation sentence rather than time in jail or prison
If you attend court-ordered rehab, you must complete the treatment program. If you fail to complete your program, you will likely be sent back to jail or prison. However, you are allowed to pick the treatment facility you attend, which can make it easier for you to enjoy your stay at rehab.
While many people believe that you must choose to attend rehab on your own, court-ordered rehab is just as effective as voluntary rehab. According to a study completed by NIDA, “A group of men who completed court-ordered treatment for alcohol and drug problems reported lower intrinsic motivation at the beginning of treatment, but, 5 years later, reported the same rates of abstinence, employment, and rearrest as peers who sought help on their own.”[2]
How Do You Pay for Rehab While on Parole?
If you are given the option to go to rehab while on probation or parole, you must begin thinking about how you will pay for your addiction treatment. Unfortunately, the court system will not pay for your rehab, so the responsibility is handed over to you. Thankfully, you can choose a rehab facility based on your financial capabilities, allowing you to pick a rehab program that is not out of your budget.
When paying for rehab, you have a few options. You can pay out of pocket, however, this can be expensive. If you have health insurance, usually your plan will provide you with a list of facilities that accept your insurance, covering most of the cost of treatment.
Other options for payment include:
- Health care loans
- Credit cards
- Crowdfunding
- Sliding scale fees
- Scholarships
- Free county-ran facilities
What are the Benefits of Attending Rehab While on Probation or Parole?
If you went to jail or prison for a long period, you may have a hard time adjusting to normal life. This is referred to as becoming “institutionalized”. Starting over can be hard, but attending a rehab program can help you adjust to everyday life.
Some of the main benefits of attending a rehab program while on probation or parole include:
- Learning relapse prevention skills to keep you sober
- Attending trauma-informed therapy that can help you recover from the causes and effects of your addiction
- Being actively engaged in a recovery program
- Gaining life skills needed to survive outside of an institution
- Engagement in healthy relationships with sober people
- Access to safe and sober housing
- Employment and volunteer opportunities
- Receiving the tools and support you need to prevent yourself from re-offending in the future
Finding Help for Drug Addiction During Probation
If you or a loved one committed a drug-related crime and are now on probation or parole, attending rehab could help you learn how to stay sober and prevent you from re-offending in the future.
Oftentimes, being in the legal system and not receiving the drug addiction treatment you need can cause you to get caught in the cycle of drug abuse and crime, leading to multiple arrests and an inability to stay sober. Going to an addiction treatment program can prevent this from happening.
Contact Mandala Healing Center today to speak with an admissions coordinator about your treatment options.
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