A Guide to Court-Mandated Alcohol & Drug Classes

How Long Will It Take You To Receive Your Alcohol & Drug Awareness Certificate?

Individuals who have been caught exhibiting dangerous behaviors while under the influence of alcohol or are known to be in possession of certain drugs may be required to take what is known as an alcohol and drug education class. These classes are common for people who have a DUI (Driving Under Influence) charge or other drug and alcohol related offenses.

Since courts and legal organizations recommend these courses, it is important that drug and alcohol classes are written according to national standards and approved by these groups. They are typically written or edited by members of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. There are several institutions designed to teach courses about drug and alcohol abuse; the Course for Drugs and Alcohol, for example, offers affordable access to drug and alcohol awareness classes for individuals who need them throughout the United States.

If you’re a resident of Pennsylvania and you or a loved one are required to take one of these classes, keep reading to learn more about state requirements and how these courses work.

How Alcohol & Drug Awareness Classes Work

According to the Course for Drugs and Alcohol, an alcohol and drug awareness class is, “an educational program that may be required in the state of Pennsylvania by the court, a legal order, a legal representative, a parole or probation officer, or an employer.” This source is available for all individuals who need to enroll in one of these courses. It allows users to search by state and start taking a course online. The course website also states that their class “provides meaningful content intended to meet court, legal, or employer requirements.”

These courses address a variety of drug and alcohol-specific topics, including:

Types of drugs
Common drugs
Types of alcohol
Health consequences of drugs
Health consequences of alcohol
Effects of drinking alcohol
Drug abuse
Alcohol abuse
Alcoholism
Addiction
Drug laws
Alcohol laws
Positive changes
Relapse prevention

Alcohol and drug awareness classes will also offer essential resources and references to help individuals stop using drugs or alcohol and get back on the right track. In most cases, these classes are court-mandated or requested by a legal representative. However, you will most likely be able to choose which provider you will use to take the courses.

Benefits of Taking An Alcohol & Drug Class

The first benefit of taking an alcohol and drug class is that they are extremely convenient. Courses are available 24/7 and can be taken completely online at any time using a device like a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone. Due to complications that have come from the COVID-19 pandemic, these classes encourage remote learning and social distancing.

When you enroll, you will soon receive a free confirmation letter that you will be able to send to a court or other representative who asked you to take the course. During the course, you will learn more about the dangers of using or abusing certain substances. There are absolutely no tests; so it is virtually impossible to pass this course as long as you attend every session. After you complete a course, you will receive a certificate of completion. This certificate will be sent directly to your email so you can easily forward it to the person who asked you to take the class.

How Long Does It Take To Get Your Certificate?

Depending on the charge or offense you have, the length of your course will vary. Courts will likely recommend different courses depending on the individual. There are 4-hour, 8-hour, 12-hour, 16-hour, 24-hour, and hour-by-hour courses available. Participants will have access to an online timer that helps them keep track of their hours. 4-hour courses can start at as little as $24, while 12-hour courses can range from anywhere between $65 and $195 (depending on the provider). If someone requires continued education, they will likely pay about $25 per hour.

After the Certification: What Comes Next?

If your certificate is approved by a judge or probation officer, you should be all set to continue with your daily life. All certificates come with a 100% money back guarantee; so if you take a test and no longer require the certificate for any reason, you should be able to get your payment back. The court will most likely decide on any next steps that are needed.

To learn more about alcohol and drug education courses, contact our team of substance abuse treatment specialists for more information about providers and costs. Give us a call at 267.719.8528.

Sources

https://coursefordrugsandalcohol.com/