Proponents of Court Ordered rehab

Although drug courts remain controversial, proponents explain that although relapse does occur, the system is designed to allow for a certain amount of relapse without immediate incarceration; and that relapse is simply a normal part of the recovery process. Proponent point to relatively high abstinence rates amongst those that successfully complete all court ordered programming, and explain that even if a percentage of addicts are helped away from addiction, and become better citizens, the ultimate cost to the tax payer is reduced substantially (It is estimated that one dollar spent towards drug treatment yields a seven dollar societal savings).

For the moment, inclusion into a court ordered rehab program is considered a lucky break for an addict struggling with dependence. Not only does mandated treatment allow an arrested offender to avoid incarceration, it also grants them access to comprehensive and sometimes otherwise unaffordable residential drug treatment slots. Since treatment statistics show that the motivation at the point of entry to a program has little influence over the likelihood of ultimate success, the probability that an addiction can be broken through court mandated drug rehab is high. Additionally, since full participation in court mandated aftercare increases the ultimate probability of success and long term sobriety, drug addicts have a better chance at sobriety as they are forced to continue with treatment even after being released from a rehab facility.

Drug court mandated drug rehab treatment is not a guarantee of sobriety, and some degree of relapse and a continuing struggle towards recovery is to be expected. Participants with access to court ordered drug rehab and court funded drug and alcohol addiction treatment have a unique opportunity to better their lives as they avoid incarceration. Court ordered drug rehab operates as a needed lifeline to many struggling with addiction, and although many don’t see it as a blessing when initially arrested, many that have completed the enforced programming's are returning to the courtrooms to thank court officers for the access to lifesaving and life bettering treatment.

Court ordered drug rehab may not work in every case, but when it works it provides a great service to both the addict and to society as a whole.