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Each year there are more than ten thousand traffic accidents and fatalities that involve the use of alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this number will continue to rise without proper awareness and resolution. The usual punishment for drunk driving would be time served in jail or prison but many court systems today are shifting their focus towards providing treatment options after a drunk driving arrest. Studies show that treatment and substance abuse education can be very effective in reducing the rates of repeated DUI’s. Instead of treating impaired driving like any other crime, it is now being treated as an opportunity to change a person’s behavior for the better.

Where can I register for DUI school?

Each state has its own range of treatment opportunities and legal requirements when it comes to getting drunk drivers off the road and into treatment. As part of the legal consequences for committing a drinking and driving offense, you can expect some sort of alcohol education or treatment services to be added to your checklist. For the majority of people who have family, work, and other obligations this is a very viable option compared to spending time behind bars. If taken seriously these classes can help lessen the severity of a drunk driving conviction and help with any underlying substance abuse issues that may or may not have been the cause of said conviction. Welcome to DUI School.

Even for offenders who are lucky enough to have their DUI charge dropped down to reckless driving, substance abuse education at a DUI school can still be imposed. These state-approved DUI programs combine evaluations, group counseling, and individual counseling all into one program. Videos, lectures, and group discussions can also be used to tackle ongoing problems in the driving community.

Which DUI School is right for me?

Before the education portion of DUI schooling can begin, an initial evaluation is done to assess the goals of the program and the needs of an individual. The initial evaluation, conducted by a state-certified substance abuse specialist, can be used to determine if an individual is a good candidate for a drug and alcohol education program. In some cases, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) may be a better option for those who are found to have a very severe substance abuse problem associated with alcohol. At the time of the evaluation, an individual may be required to provide a copy of their driving record, criminal, history, and arrest report. An alcohol assessment or drug screening and questionnaire may also be required to assess the individual’s history with alcohol and illegal drug use. Upon completion of this extensive evaluation, you and your evaluator will know exactly how much time in DUI school would be sufficient for your learning and what level of education best suits your needs.

What is a Risk Reduction Program?

A DUI- Risk Reduction course is the most common type of DUI school. It is an intervention program required by law for people convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, or Boating Under the Influence (BUI). The first part of this course is the assessment component. Participants will be given a 130-question comprehensive screening instrument used to evaluate the extent of an individual’s alcohol and drug use and its impact on driving. After completion of the assessment component, the intervention component is administered. This component consists of a 20-hour course comprising several sessions over several days. You will not be alone during this portion of DUI school since sessions are delivered in a group environment. The intervention component is designed to offer therapeutic education and peer group counseling dealing with alcohol and drug use and its effect on driving. Group counseling sessions are set up to help individuals understand the common problems and issues other individuals may face in association to driving under the influence. This is a proven way to help an individual acknowledge substance abuse problems or triggers that may go unnoticed in their own life. Videos and lectures can also be used to help participants see the bigger picture when it comes to the effects of alcohol on the body and brain.  Students must complete both parts to receive a Certificate of Completion

What will I learn in DUI School?

DUI school goes over and emphasizes the importance of creating better life decisions and avoiding situations in the future that may lead to a recurring DUI incident. Different scenarios are presented to students as they are guided toward the correct and responsible choice. For example, the consumption of alcohol is not allowed and is never condoned to students, but the importance of drinking responsibly is a good lesson that can be taught in programs like this. Students are taught to have backup plans so they don’t drive while under the influence and they are also informed about the dangers of binge drinking. As you move along and progress in your DUI school you will hit many major points and highlights. Counselors and facilitators will also talk about identifying triggers, surrounding yourself with the right people, and the grave repercussions of future DUI offenses. Many attendees may be in a rush to get out of DUI school because of how much classes can cost out of pocket and the time it consumes but when an individual focuses on how much information can be attained a greater change can be made to make our roads a safer place to drive.

DUI convictions don’t just go away in the blink of an eye, they have grave ramifications that can last for years. Even after paying fines and meeting all requirements of the court a DUI conviction can still undermine your future opportunities and haunt you for years. The best thing you can do for yourself or a loved one is taking full advantage of what DUI schools have to offer before it no longer becomes an option. They exist to educate offenders about the severe and long-term consequences of DUI in hope that they will think twice the next time they are impaired and get behind the wheel.

Being charged with a DUI is not only a crime; it is also an easy way to lose out on many opportunities in life. Driving on the road and finding jobs that require you to be behind the wheel of a moving vehicle can become a hassle. DUI charges can remain on your record for several years. Unfortunately, many states have adopted prohibition policies for driving under the influence of alcohol.

This means that if found guilty, individuals can face severe penalties and be prohibited from participating in certain activities by law. At the same time, state and local governments have also decided to take a more proactive and compassionate approach to DUI offenders by allowing them to get the help they need to break the habit of drinking and driving. One such proactive approach requires DUI offenders to have a DUI evaluation at their own expense.

It can be intimidating to hear that you have to do a DUI evaluation if you are already dealing with legal issues, but there is no need to worry. The DUI evaluation is set up to help with DUI cases, so it’s always best to be truthful about any habits that pertain to driving under the influence. Any form of disloyalty during the assessment can result in penalties.

As with other medical consultations, the DUI assessment lasts from 1 hour to 90 minutes. During the evaluation, you will speak with a substance abuse specialist who will ask you several questions about your current and past habits. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire, such as an alcohol use inventory. During the evaluation, you will be asked about your personal, work, family, and health history. This information will be used to find out if alcohol or drug use has affected these areas of your life.

A mental health screening is also a normal part of the DUI assessment as a means of finding out if you have any underlying mental health conditions that affect your ability to avoid drinking and driving. Once collected, the evaluator will review it and other possible evidence of your arrest. At the end of the evaluation, all information and results are gathered in one report. You may be referred for additional treatment if you are found to be at risk of having another substance abuse occurrence or DUI charge.

Getting a visa or green card can be highly time-consuming and hard to accomplish. Many people attempting to go through this process are blocked or rejected due to inadmissibility. There are rules and regulations set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act that land many immigrants in the “inadmissible,” category meaning they are not permitted by law to enter or remain in the United States. The primary types of inadmissibility are part of but not limited to the following:

● Drug addictions, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, a lack of vaccinations, extreme physical or mental disorders which can cause harm, etc.
● Drug crimes that occur in the U.S. or other countries, morally devoid criminal activity, criminal activity that results in five or more years of jail, prostitution and exploitation, sex crimes and trafficking, or money laundering.
● You are falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, entering the country illegally as a stowaway, the abuse of a student visa, etc.
● You are falsifying/misrepresenting information to obtain a visa or committing fraud while in the visa application process.
● Prior removals from the United States, threats to national security, lack of labor certification, public charges, and several other miscellaneous categories.

When found inadmissible for any reason, it is almost impossible to gain access to the United States. Immigration hardship waivers are one way to tackle this problem. Once an individual has been found inadmissible, the USCIS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will look at and review the matter if an immigration hardship waiver is submitted. These waivers can only be used if the individual trying to gain access to the U.S. has a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, spouse, parent, child, or qualifying relative that lives in the United States. The waiver states that this qualifying relative will suffer from a level of extreme hardship if the individual trying to gain access is not permitted.
In some instances, the hardship waiver is not enough evidence to convince the USCIS. Appointed attorneys and representatives will more than likely ask applicants to meet with a psychologist to have an immigration hardship evaluation done on their behalf. This type of evaluation documents the various hardships that the qualifying relative will face if their family member can not be with them. Hardship waivers can also be paired with an evaluation if an applicant faces deportation.
Just like any other medical consultation or evaluation, the process can be anxiety-provoking if never done before. The initial interview between you and close family members will help the evaluator understand important psychological, medical, and social background information, as well as your current level of cognitive and psychological functioning. Immigration hardship evaluations are extensive as they aim to investigate the many aspects of an individual’s life so that a proper assessment can be made. Being deported or having family members who can’t enter the country due to being inadmissible can be very overwhelming and can have drastic effects on multiple lives when it occurs. This assessment not only helps in that aspect but is also made to reconcile what could turn out to be a hazardous and even terrifying situation for whoever would be left behind in the wake of such an action.
Effective immigration hardship evaluations should always include a detailed personal history of the person being examined along with the waiver applicant and family members. It should thoroughly and accurately detail the patient’s unique circumstances that make them vulnerable to hardship. Along with that, the evaluation should describe the emotional impact of both separation and re-location. In other words, it must discuss the emotional and psychological effects on the qualifying relative if they become separated from the applicant due to inadmissibility and the psychological and emotional impact on the qualifying relative if they were to relocate abroad to be with the applicant.

If necessary, your evaluator will administer psychological tests and questionnaires to help figure out specific areas where psychological difficulties may occur due to hardship. This part of the evaluation is essential because the USCIS can discount the credibility of a psychological diagnosis if there is not enough evidence or details to support it. The review must give a clear summary of the patient’s psychological and medical history, including the length of time the patient has suffered from any disorders and medical illnesses; any treatments received, including surgery; and the medications the patient has been prescribed. Discussing a history of the previously diagnosed psychological condition (s) will go a long way towards establishing credibility.

After completing an evaluation, the information gathered results in a compiled assessment that can be given to an attorney to be utilized in court. At AACS Counseling, our team consists of certified professional health counselors and psychologists who have extensive training in immigration hardship matters and are ready to answer any questions and concerns.

An anger management program will help you learn how to recognize the signs of anger and take action to calm yourself down and deal effectively with the situation.

There is a big misconception that anger management programs are trying to keep you from getting angry or suppress it. If you know how to express your anger correctly, you can do so with anger management without having to hide this normal healthy emotion. Along with teaching appropriate expressions, teaching behavioral skills is an important part of anger management.

You can learn how to manage anger on your own using books or other resources, but for many people, the most effective way is to attend an anger management class or visit a mental health professional. Anger management classes or anger management counseling can be done in groups or alone with a  partner or colleague attending the class. The setup, duration, and a number of sessions will vary depending on the program and your specific needs.

Anger management courses or counseling can be short or lasting for weeks or months, depending on the circumstances. Improving your anger control has several benefits and can be a great addition to your daily practice. You will have more control as you face life’s challenges. At the end of the day, being able to express yourself confidently means you will be able to hold back your anger without feeling frustrated.

Intensive outpatient program Georgia take longer than most standard outpatient programs. This is similar to a typical outpatient program in which the patient does not have to reside in the facility, instead patients visit the treatment center several times a week for several hours at a time.

Intensive outpatient programs are typically held on weekday mornings or evenings. Programs are primarily group therapy, although they may provide other services such as one-on-one counseling and employment assistance. Most programs last about 90 days and include drug testing.

Sometimes an intensive outpatient program can be used in conjunction with an inpatient program to help clients better themselves and better fit into their families and communities. It is designed to create support mechanisms, manage relapses, and provide coping strategies.

American Alternative Court Services offers comprehensive programming for individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Located in Marietta, near Atlanta, Georgia, American Alternative Court Services provides a full spectrum of care, offering lasting recovery. Our structured programs are centered on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Effective Learning, and Holistic Integration.

We hold true to the definition of addiction provided by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and by integrating the spiritual, emotional, mental, biological and physiological wholeness of each individual; we can provide appropriate assessments and work collaboratively with all healthcare professionals to produce improved outcomes.