The world of addiction runs parallel to illegal activities, shady behavior and incarceration. For most addicts, getting arrested and spending time in jail is a natural part of the process to get their next “high.” However, once an individual has been arrested multiple times, minor infractions turn into lengthy sentences, and in some instances, serious prison time.
The legality of these substances brings up an interesting topic of conversation: should individuals who get arrested for drug possession spend time locked up in jail, or worse, receive prison sentences? Or should they be forced into a treatment program designed for their needs?
While there is no definitive answer to this question, we must explore the pros and cons of each course of action and come to a conclusion ourselves. Here’s what parents of adult children who struggle with sobriety need to know about incarceration and legal issues.
The Rehabilitation Facility Route
Our opinion is that individuals who have been arrested on the grounds of intoxication or possession of an illegal substance fare better inside of a rehabilitation facility. For starters, rehabilitation centers teach patients the skills to rebuild their lives through the implementation of productive habits, substance-free environments and support groups.
Moreover, rehab centers give patients access to therapists and substance-abuse counselors trained in the art of detoxification and substance addiction. When a user can easily access this information and confide in a specialist, their odds of recovery improves dramatically.
When we compare this process with forcing an addict into incarceration, we soon realize that rehabilitation is the more logical decision to make. For most abusers, their legal issues stem from possession and public intoxication.
If the individual has no prior history of violence or physical abuse, incarceration seems like an unfair punishment to receive. Instead, we believe judges and legal systems should work hand-in-hand with rehabilitation centers to reduce the odds of getting arrested in the future.
Rehabilitation centers also provide addicts a means of identifying their drug-use triggers. For patients who rely on drugs and alcohol daily, there’s an underlying component that starts their substance intake. Some addicts are trigger by stress; others begin to crave drugs and alcohol when anxiety and stress begin to mount, and some deal with personal issues by becoming intoxicated.
Unlike an incarceration center, drug-rehab facilities help addicts identify and avoid their triggers by engaging in productive and positive actions that facilitate long-term and short-term goals.
Incarceration Route
Although incarceration often causes more harm than good, one benefit of placing a patient into a detention center is that it induces a quick lifestyle change that would’ve otherwise not occurred. However, forced detoxifications have their own set of issues and medical ramifications.
In the mind of an addict, the thought of becoming clean and sober is a tantalizing idea, but the actions that facilitate their dream never come to fruition. When the individual gets incarcerated and placed into a jail or holding cell, the individual has no other choice but to stay clean and sober.
If the incarcerated detainee can push past their withdrawal symptoms and rid their system of drugs and alcohol, they’re one step closer to the finish line. And if the individual enters a drug-rehabilitation center after their jail sentence ends, the odds of maintaining a drug-free lifestyle improves substantially.
Even though this process sounds like the obvious choice to make, we encourage addicts and parents of substance-abuse victims to avoid this route at all costs. Sure, it will help your child become sober faster than anticipated, but the criminal record and legal issues will follow your child for the remainder of their life.
<h3>Consider a Rehabilitation Center Today</h3>
For parents of addicts, we encourage you to take matters into your own hands before it’s too late. Once law enforcement gets involved, there’s not much you can do. Instead, become a proactive parent by consulting with a detoxification and rehabilitation center in the subsequent days and weeks.
Sit down with your child and discuss their issues in an empathetic and understanding way. When you listen more than you talk, you give your child an opportunity to express why they rely on drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.
And after the discussion concludes, encourage them to visit a rehabilitation facility before legal issues plague their lifestyle and future career prospects. When you’re ready, we’re willing to help. Contact us today at 844-844-3463 and schedule an appointment with our substance-abuse counselors and therapists. These individuals will create a tailored approach for your child’s needs and help them develop a roadmap to recovery and sobriety.