| There is an increasing understanding of alcohol | | | | a person who is in an alcohol rehab program than |
| addiction as being something that takes a grip on the | | | | sitting in prison serving a jail sentence. This is being |
| victim and has the ability to destroy the victim’s life | | | | recognized as a more proactive, more positive solution |
| as well as that of others such as family and friends | | | | to legal infractions which are committed by individuals |
| around who care for and/or depend on that person. | | | | who have alcohol dependence issues. |
| As an addiction with powerful mental and physical | | | | Alcohol rehab as an alternative to jail is an |
| triggers this is something that can be a constant battle | | | | acknowledgement of a fact that jail is not a solution to |
| which the person may be at the losing end of, unless | | | | a person’s drug problem; that incarceration |
| they consider getting help such as in the form of | | | | won’t make their addiction go away. It is also not |
| alcohol abuse rehab. | | | | conducive to a person’s rehabilitation to have them |
| When a person has been involved in an incident where | | | | removed from society which may actually make their |
| they have broken the law when under the influence of | | | | return into the community even more difficult perhaps |
| alcohol, or indirectly due to an addiction, the judge has | | | | making this a trigger for even more problems |
| the discretion of substituting a jail sentence with an | | | | associated with their addiction which has remained |
| alcohol rehab program. This is usually at the discretion | | | | unresolved in the meantime. An alcohol rehab program |
| of the judge; however sometimes the accused | | | | is better able to facilitate a person’s transition back |
| themselves are given the option by the court to decide | | | | into a community. |
| if this is the correct option for them. It is a way for a | | | | This is not something that is to be viewed as an |
| person to realize that they have a problem, that that | | | | escape though, and repeat offenders would not |
| problem is creating in turn more problems and that | | | | receive the kind of leniency that this programs is |
| there is help required for this. | | | | thought to offer. The program ought to be viewed in |
| This initiative of an alcohol rehab facility versus jail, was | | | | the spirit and for the cause that it seeks to serve; to |
| started when the problems of overcrowding of jails | | | | offer the option of correction and betterment for a life |
| became a contentious issue. There was also a | | | | that may rapidly be skidding off the rails. Rather, this is |
| dawning realization that jail was not a solution for a | | | | an opportunity for a better life that is more in |
| person who was battling the demons of alcohol abuse | | | | consonance with society and those around; an |
| and dependence. There is a better understanding of | | | | opportunity to reform for one’s own sake and that |
| the fact that society as a whole is better benefitted by | | | | of near and dear ones. |