Will Entering a Drug Rehab Help My Legal Case?
Drugs and alcohol distort our reality and impair our judgment. As a result, we could make bad decisions that negatively affect our lives. Our addictions can overpower us and make us do things we would not do if we were in our right minds. So voluntarily choosing to go to rehab on your own could be the best way to show the judge you are serious about changing your life—and this could help your legal case.
Few people who struggle with addiction evade the criminal justice system forever. We’re here to help you up if you fall. At the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices, we are compassionate attorneys ready to guide you through the legal process and assist you in getting the help you need. Over our 22 years of representing people fighting addiction, we have helped numerous people like you reach positive outcomes with their cases. Contact us today to learn how we can help you break the cycle.
Will Rehab Help Your Court Case?
Drug addiction fuels crimes like theft, burglary, robbery, and dealing drugs to support your habit. Alcohol addictions can be destructive as well. Addiction could lead to violent domestic episodes, endangering your children, and driving while intoxicated. And if you happen to seriously injure or kill someone while driving drunk, it could negatively impact the rest of your life.
The cravings caused by your addiction force you to act irrationally. That’s why so many people wind up in trouble. However, getting arrested could be a wake-up call for you and the inspiration to begin your journey to recovery.
You may have wondered, Will entering a drug rehab help my legal case? This is an important question to ask, and the answer might surprise you. Yes, voluntarily going to rehab will most likely help with your case. Getting clean and sober without the judge ordering you to do so gives the judge a good reason to put you on probation or defer judgment instead of throwing you in jail. Completing rehab before your case ends shows the judge that you are ready to take responsibility for your actions. Most importantly, attending rehab may convince the judge that your addiction is the only reason you involved yourself in criminal behavior in the first place. The judge could look at this as an indication that you are at a lower risk of reoffending.
All of this can only help you. It certainly cannot hurt.
Attending and completing rehab before your DWI case ends could help you tremendously. New Mexico’s DWI law requires every person convicted of DWI to submit to addiction screening. Depending on the result of that test, the probation officer may order you to enter a rehabilitation program. However, doing this on your own may convince the judge that you deserve a break.
Signs You Need Rehab
Recognizing you have a problem is the first step to recovery. Sadly, many people have to reach rock bottom before acknowledging that they have a problem and need help. Hopefully, you haven’t gotten to that point. But if you have, we possess the knowledge and resources to help. If not, here are some common signs addiction specialists consider when determining if detox and rehab are necessary. There might be other signs of addiction that require rehabilitation, but these are some of the most common.
You Prioritize Drug Use Over Everything Else
We have touched on this issue briefly. You should consider going to rehab if drugs or alcohol overwhelm your thoughts. By this point, your addiction might cause you to miss school or work. Typically, people who need rehab suffer from reduced productivity even if they can go to work. Additionally, if family responsibilities take a backseat to your addiction, this is a clear indication that you have a serious problem that requires professional help to overcome.
Your family and friends are good barometers. If they express concern about your appearance, lack of caring, or behavioral changes like lying or being sneaky, then it is time to get help.
You Are Physically or Mentally Unwell
People in the throes of drug addiction often neglect their health and well-being.
Alcohol causes liver damage and may lead to certain cancers. Drugs can cause accidental overdoses. Many people facing addiction are malnourished. Drug users also risk contracting diseases from sharing needles or frequenting hazardous locations.
Addiction specialists recognize that addiction intensifies mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and psychosis—which are all common among drug users. Therefore, many people suffer from a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental health impairment.
A Little Isn’t Enough
Checking into a detoxification facility or enrolling in rehab could save your life if you continue to increase your intake of intoxicating substances. Opioid users tend to chase their high. Sadly, users can never achieve the feeling they experienced when they used the drug for the first time. People desperate for that euphoric feeling consume large amounts of narcotics, which could turn deadly.
Alcohol has a similar effect. An alcoholic who is craving a drink cannot have just one—they need many more to feel the effects they desire. Consequently, they almost always build a high tolerance for alcohol.
What to Expect When You Go to Rehab
Detox and rehab can be a huge challenge. Addiction specialists understand how the body responds to withdrawal. You might need medical attention while your body learns to function without drugs or alcohol. Quitting cold turkey is usually not a good option and could be quite dangerous if you are addicted to opioids or alcohol.
Rehab provides you with a safe place to transition to sobriety. While in rehab, you should expect the following:
- Medical treatment;
- Screening for mental health disorders;
- Substance misuse education;
- Drug and alcohol testing;
- Substance abuse treatment;
- Mental health treatment, if necessary;
- Services to help you transition from your rehab facility to your home;
- Outpatient care and follow-up; and
- Case management to help you remain clean and sober.
Choosing a facility that addresses your needs should help you successfully transition from the rehab facility to your community. Relapsing is a constant worry for recovering addicts. Follow-up care with your physician or mental health counselor and the rehab resources give you a better chance of succeeding.
Get the Help You Need from the Lawyers Who Care
We care about your well-being at the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices. You are not a number to us. We believe in you and want to do what is in your best interest. That’s why we never take a cookie-cutter approach to our cases. Instead, we closely examine your circumstances to develop the best possible defense for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.