People can get in trouble because of alcohol and drug abuse in various ways. Alcohol and drug abuse are very common and frequently result in fights, speeding, erratic driving, fatal auto accidents, breaking and entering, robbery and all sorts of other law-breaking behavior . Unfortunately, if you find yourself in court because of one of these problems, you probably did not think about the causal relationship between alcohol abuse, drug abuse and the possible dire consequences in which you find yourself.
You may have had a tendency to feel indestructible and invulnerable to the problems that alcohol and drug abuse cause. However, as you may have discovered, abusing alcohol and using illicit drugs increases your risk of legal problems and finding yourself in court, sometimes facing a multitude of charges.
If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, the court will want more information. It will want to know if you have a serious alcohol or drug dependency that will make it likely that you will continue to cause significant harm to yourself or others.
People often experiment with new things. You probably have used alcohol or mind-altering drugs for various reasons, including anxiety reduction, mood enhancement, to reduce stress, or even to eliminate boredom.
It is difficult for the court to know which perpetrators are simply experimenting and will stop, from those who may be entering the throes of serious problems that are likely to wreak more mayhem and havoc in the future. Also, you may have abused both legal and illegal substances.
Legal substances include alcohol, prescribed medications, such as, Vicodin and Oxycontin, various inhalants (fumes from solvents, aerosols and glue) and various over-the-counter cold, cough and sleep medications. The most commonly used illegal drugs include, but are not limited to cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, crack, LSD, PCP, Ecstasy and various opiates, including heroin. Unfortunately, the use of these illegal substances is increasing, even in middle-class and upper-middle areas.
You may have started your use of marijuana and alcohol in high school. If so, you can probably remember a variety of very negative emotional, physical, legal, vocational or academic consequences you began experiencing at that time.
The abuse of alcohol or other mind-altering substances has probably caused the poor judgment that put you at risk for the accident, violence, law-breaking or erratic driving which you now face in court. You can help yourself by consulting with an experienced attorney and openly communicating with him or her about your recognition of your substance abuse problems.
An effective way to show the court you care and are sincere in your remorse, is to openly discuss your use and possible abuse of alcohol and mind-altering drugs with a mental health professional approved by the court. To aid in this process of evaluation, the court may require you to undergo an alcoholism or drug abuse assessment. You may be required to consult a psychologist or other counselor who is an expert at detecting the signs of alcohol and drug abuse.
The assessment is likely to include your taking one or two, paper and pencil psychological or substance abuse tests, which may take an hour or two for you to complete. It will also probably include your undergoing one or two clinical interviews with the evaluator.
The evaluating therapist or counselor will explore the following:
1. Your familys history of substance abuse, alcohol abuse and family dysfunction,
2. Which and how many of your family members display symptoms of depression, substance abuse or law-breaking behavior,
3. Your medical history and any symptoms such as, fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, persistent cough etc,
4. Any emotional and behavioral signs, such as sudden mood shifts, chronic irritability, irresponsible behavior, poor judgment, agitation, depressive symptoms, troubling lack of interest in others, the frequent starting of arguments, rule-breaking or your unexplained withdrawal from family,
5. Decreased interest, poor attitude, drop in grades, absences, truancy, school disciplinary problems, or poor attitude or performance at work,
6. Your association with those who are uninterested in typical home, work or school activities or those having troubling legal or family problems,
Also, the evaluation will likely include how frequently and in what situations you use drugs or alcohol and the impact of your use on your relationships, job, physical health, financial stability, children, mental health and legal history.
Author Resource:-
Dr Shery does expert alcohol and drug assessments in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Lake-in-the-Hills. Call 1 847 275 8236 and make an appt orlearn more about counseling at: http://www.carypsychology.com
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