Getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) might be just a mistake or it might signal deeper problems. In some cases, you may be asked to undergo an assessment for alcohol addiction after being charged with a DUI. Read on to find out more.

Not Part of Your Sentencing

You may be asked to undergo an assessment before you've been sentenced and the outcome of the assessment may have a great deal of bearing on your punishment for the DUI, in some cases. The goal of alcohol assessments is to find out whether or help is needed in the form of treatment. This treatment might be in addition to any punishment meted out, or it might be considered a diversion instead of punishment. In some cases, the defendant is not deemed to be at risk of addiction.

Not everyone who makes a bad choice to drink and drive is also addicted to alcohol. This manner of addressing addiction issues, however, can sometimes prevent a problem from worsening. In some cases, individuals not thought to be at risk for addiction may be referred for other sentencing with an eye towards prevention. Alternative sentencing might include, for example, classes and interactions with victims of drunk drivers.

How Assessments Work

Addiction specialists who work with that segment of the population perform the assessment with the goal of identifying problems and creating a plan to address those problems. The assessments take the form of a series of meetings one-on-one with mental health/addiction specialists who participate in interviews, testing, journaling, notebook work, and other assessment techniques to ascertain what forms of rehabilitation might be helpful to the defendant.

The Results of the Assessment

Various alcohol abuse intervention and treatment scenarios are possible after an assessment. Some common treatment orders include:

1. Attendance at twelve-step meetings.
2. Counseling — both group and one-on-one.
3. Outpatient or inpatient addiction treatment.

In most cases, participation in the above is not optional but should be considered an alternative to harsher punishment like jail time and more. In many cases, a loss of driving privileges and fines are still possible in addition to treatment orders.

The Final Outcome

Though not available everywhere and in all cases, some assessment outcomes are extremely beneficial to some. There are programs that withhold adjudication of the DUI charges pending the outcome of the treatment plan. At the plan's completion, the charges may be dropped and the defendant's record wiped clean. To find out more about how such a program could benefit you, speak to your criminal defense attorney as soon as possible