One of the major reasons why addicts wind up in jail is because they committed crimes that were enhanced by their addiction.
For instance, a driver who was behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol is likely to get imprisoned if they knock down a pedestrian, or causes an accident in the process.
Hence, the driver is more likely to be sent to jail for their crime instead of providing them with addiction treatment so that they don’t repeat it. When an addict is imprisoned, it doesn’t solve the addiction problem.
If the individual is done with their jail term, they are likely to return to their addiction and commit another crime.
Therefore, people who suffer from addiction do not benefit from anything when they are arrested and imprisoned.
Jail term provides more harm than good for the addict. Even though it addresses the crime, it does not solve the underlying issue- addiction. Additionally, imprisoned addicts are likely to continue their addictive habits in jail.
Some of them can pick up other types of addiction to reinforce the one they have. The best line of action is to send an offender to a rehabilitation center instead of jail.
When they are admitted to rehab, they will be under strict supervision so that they won’t escape.
One of the first things the addict will get to understand is the root cause of their addiction. The addiction counselor would help make the addict know everything related to their addiction. Also, the addict might have to undergo detoxification depending on the addiction type.
If they were addicted to substances like alcohol and drugs, they need to detoxify to eliminate the build-up of toxins in their body.
On the other hand, if they were addicted to behaviors, they will be admitted into full-time residential treatment.
In the long run, the addict will get sober and free of addiction, then the law can take its full course. Usually, they might be mandated to undergo some community labor or even act as one of the advocates for preventing addiction.
Whatever disciplinary measures the recovering individual receives depend on the levity of their crimes.