Will Rehab Help My Court Case?

Seeking Treatment at Icarus to Avoid Jail Time

My struggles with substance abuse led me to a life of criminal behavior and risky decision-making. After many years of drug abuse, I was in and out of jail, and constantly dealing with legal issues. When I was given one last chance to go to rehab or prison, I finally decided to work on my drug addiction and see if there was a way I could finally break free from the cycle of drug abuse.

Icarus Behavioral Health in New Mexico had a treatment program that was perfect for me. Not only did they help me overcome my addiction, they helped me face the legal proceedings and set me up for success with the drug courts. Without going to a place like Icarus, I could very well be back in prison serving a hefty sentence.

You may ask yourself “Will rehab help my court case?” It all depends on if you are willing to take it seriously. If you are in a situation like this, keep reading to find out how you can make rehab work for you and put your criminal past behind you!

The Legal Consequences of Substance Abuse

The longer you engage in drug addiction, the more likely you are the end up dealing with the criminal justice system. I dabbled with drugs here and there in my high school years, but it wasn’t until I was out of school that I developed a serious addiction to opiates.

Having to get a job and deal with the real world proved too much for me, especially with some of the mental health problems I suffered from that I never focused on fixing. My substance abuse issues led me to begin stealing money from the place where I worked. Eventually, I was caught. Not only was I fired, but they called the cops on me as well.

Drug Addiction and The Criminal Justice System

Once you fall into the criminal justice system, it’s very difficult to get out of. This is especially true for those struggling with drug addiction. I was put on probation following my arrest for theft and was then subject to random drug testing. I never passed one drug test, even though I was given multiple chances. Ultimately, I ended up serving three months in jail after missing a court date.

Unfortunately, when you are doing jail time, you can still find ways to get high. I bought drugs in jail and had time added to my sentence after the drugs were found in my cell. I was released after four months and was given even stricter probation. It didn’t last one month. My probation officer gave me the option of rehab or a potentially lengthy prison sentence. It was an easy choice.

Court Ordered Addiction Treatment

I didn’t give drug and alcohol rehab much of a chance when I first got there. All I wanted to do the first few days was escape and get high. When you enter rehab, oftentimes you have to go through detox to get the drugs out of your system. My detox was very uncomfortable, much like any opiate withdrawal. After I got through the initial detox, I began to accept my fate.

A lot of people don’t ever get to the point where they go to a rehab center. Most addicts end up dying of their addiction before they ever entertain the idea of going to a rehab facility. I had a golden opportunity handed to me by the law. It dawned on me that if I didn’t accept help now, I probably never would. In my situation, I was less concerned with the question: Will rehab help my court case? For me, it was, do I care enough about living any more to reach out for help? I’m glad I found the answer I did.

Dealing With Drug Courts Successfully

You can talk yourself up in drug court all you want, but more often than not the judge will know if you are lying. After my stay in court-ordered rehab, I was confident in my ability to maintain sobriety. I had moments where I felt like I would slip, but I came out of Icarus n New Mexico with a much better head on my shoulders than when I went in, freed from cravings and the constant threat of drug-induced mental disorders taking over my actions.

When I went to my court proceedings, the judge could tell I was making progress. I looked better, I spoke more articulately, and I was sincere in what I was saying. When you’re caught up in the legal system for so long, a lot of judges and parole officers get sick of seeing you. This time was different. They could tell that I was working hard on dealing with my substance abuse as well as my mental illness.

Will Rehab Help My Court Case: The Legal Pressure Of Staying Sober

A lot of times when you slip up in your sobriety, there aren’t many consequences. You can go right back to your drug or alcohol abuse and not much changes. The fact that I had legal consequences hanging over me was a motivating factor. Because of my situation, and the fact that the judge knew I was trying, I was given a more lenient sentence.

I was given community service and the same amount of probation that I had before. This lighter sentence was something that not all are afforded, and I didn’t want to take that for granted. My legal battles over the years always ended with me incarcerated. This time, I was determined to actually finish my probation, and leave my criminal record behind.

The Benefits Gained From Inpatient Treatment

Going to inpatient treatment at Icarus was the perfect situation for me. I was away from the drugs, and I was away from all the bad influences in my life. I was surrounded by supportive people, and I learned a lot about why I got here in the first place. I took a long, hard look at myself and listened to others tell their stories when I went to support groups.

Most of the stories I heard were very similar to mine. These were all good people who got caught up in the system due to their drug abuse. Many of these people had rough upbringings like mine and turned to substance abuse to cope. I learned that there were all kinds of treatment options at my disposal. I put in the effort to get help, and it paid off.

Sobriety Isn’t Always Smooth

Drug rehab can be scary because of the expectations put on you. You feel like a relapse is a failure. The truth is, it’s never that straightforward. A lot of people who relapse feel like they’ve thrown away all their progress. It’s easy to be hard on yourself and just go right back to your addiction. A relapse is part of sobriety sometimes. I learned that just because you relapse doesn’t mean you’ve lost everything.

Plenty of people I talked to in rehab and after have relapsed and got right back into their sobriety. It happens more often than you think. When I go to AA meetings, I frequently meet people who have just relapsed and are trying to get back on the wagon. I’ve never seen anything but love and support from everybody else around me.

Having A Positive Impact On Others

It doesn’t help to make someone feel bad for slipping up. The best thing to do is let them know that it’s all part of the process, and it doesn’t mean they need to go back to drugs and alcohol. When I meet people who have relapsed, I try hard to build them up rather than tear them down. We all need positive reinforcement sometimes, and this is especially true in recovery.

I see it as a sign of strength when someone says they have either slipped up or feel like they are about to slip up. It’s not easy to tell a group of strangers that you want to leave and go get high. I make sure to let people know that when the opportunity arises. No one is perfect. People can slip up years into their sobriety. It happens, and it doesn’t have to be the final chapter in your story.

Will Rehab Help My Court Case: Attaining Lasting Recovery

Sobriety has to be one of the most important things in your life if you want to maintain it. It’s important to put the energy you put into your drug addiction into something healthy. Everyone needs some kind of outlet. Recreational activities can go a long way. I try to go to the gym at least five days a week and I find that it helps me get rid of a lot of anxiety.

Having some kind of creative pursuit can help a lot as well. I was always interested in painting when I was younger, and have taken it up again now that I have the time, energy, and willingness to do it. This makes me feel fulfilled in a way that drugs never did. I can spend time doing something and actually have something to show for it now.

Going to Treatment as a Gift for a Loved one

If you have a loved one that’s in and out of drug court or other parts of the legal system because of their addiction, there are things that you can do to help them. The number one thing is to support them, but not enable them. A lot of addicts will lie and tell you what you want to hear. It can be frustrating, but if you are realistic with the person, you can be a positive influence.

We all want to believe in someone we love when they tell us what we want to hear. Sometimes you can feel the urge to cut somebody off for constantly letting you down. Depending on the circumstances, you can be the one positive influence in someone’s life.

Let them know that hope and recovery, are possible. All that is needed is to seek treatment and the support available from people who care about them turning their life around. At least for me, I found a lot of that at Icarus, and it made a world of difference in my finally getting clean.

Get Rehab Options at Icarus to Help with Court Today

If you are willing to go the distance for somebody, you might be the reason they finally make that decision and go to a treatment center like Icarus Behavioral Health in Albuquerque.

I know they helped me more than I can even acknowledge properly, so if you want to support and to get out from under the Court, reach out to Icarus and see what options they have to offer!