What Benefits Do You Get from Getting a DUI Screening?

It is against the law to drive or physically control a vehicle while you are under the influence of alcohol. This is why when you apply for and accept your driving privileges in Arizona you are also giving consent for blood alcohol concentration and drug content (BADC) testing if you are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). According to the Implied Consent Law a law enforcement officer must simply believe you are driving while under the influence. They can then ask you to submit to a BADC test of your blood, breath, urine or other bodily substance so they can see how much alcohol or drugs are present in your bloodstream.

Introducing the DUI Screening

There are certain offenses that require you to undergo a DUI screening, then possibly receive court-mandated treatment (16 hours of DUI education and at least 20 hours of group counseling) and education (at least 16 hours in a classroom setting taught by a behavioral health professional or technician). This screening is the first step in determining if you need these things. It is essentially a face-to-face interview conducted by a behavioral health professional or technician that lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.

During your screening, the professional will administer at least one standardized test that they will use for measuring your dependency and abuse on drugs or alcohol. Once you have completed your alcohol and drug screening, you may be referred for further assessment if you show signs of drug, alcohol, or mental health issues. These assessments are used to identify several different things, including whether you have:

• A history of DUI behavior – typically indicated by things like multiple DUI convictions, high BAC levels, BAC test refusals, driver license suspensions, failures to appear, and convictions for other violations such as reckless driving
• A history of other criminal behavior that is not associated with DUI
• Any co-occurring disorders – for instance, if you are dependent on alcohol and also have a mental health disorder
• A willingness and readiness to change
• A certain type of intervention that would work best for you – something that would address your specific risk level and treatment needs

Who Should Complete This Screening?

While this Arizona DUI screening may seem a bit intensive and intrusive, it is important for anyone who has had their license suspended to complete it nonetheless. The good news is that once you have completed your DUI screening you may be able to quickly obtain a restricted driver’s license that will allow you to legally drive back and forth to work, school, and treatment.

The best way to do this is by working with us at Alcohol Screening Phoenix because we are certified in the state of Arizona so we have a thorough knowledge and understanding when it comes to filing all the applicable paperwork in a timely fashion, so you can get back on your feet right away. With us, your screening is either done on-site or online. This is great because it means you can complete your interview from the comfort of your own home when you are unable to get to our Phoenix-based office.

When You Should Complete This Screening

When you are charged with a DUI in Phoenix, Arizona, the Human Services department in your area will require you to submit proof that you have undergone a DUI screening and any additional education or treatment that is then recommended to you.

Once you have completed your screening and provided the Human Services agency with your proof, they will forward it directly to the court in your area. Ideally, all of this should be completed in the beginning of your process through your DUI charges (e.g. during the pre-trial stage) because the court can then use it to make well-informed decisions about your sentencing, case management, supervision, and treatment referrals and plans.

It is important to understand that you may need to repeat this assessment multiple times throughout your involvement in the criminal justice system though. This is because they will want to identify any progress you are making and make well-informed decisions when they are involved with updating your plan.

Benefits of Completing This Screening

Fortunately, it is very easy to schedule and complete this DUI alcohol screening with us. This is why you should schedule it as soon as possible. Doing so will also benefit you in several other ways as well, including:

• Your 90-day license suspension can then be reduced to 30-days of no driving and 60-days of restricted driving, in most cases. (Make sure your screening’s completion certificate is electronically uploaded to the MVD.)
• If you are ultimately convicted of DUI, you must complete this screening anyway. The court will exchange this for less jail time. By completing it before being told to do so, you are one step ahead of the courts, which will look good in their “eyes.” Obviously, you want to do anything and everything in your power to put yourself in this position.
• If you are identified as having a mental health issue, there is help available that you can get in touch with through this screening.

Essentially, screenings help the courts strategically target limited resources by separating offenders into various categories (e.g. those who don’t have an issue, those who have a drug or alcohol issue, and those who are dealing with a mental health issue). The screening process can also act as a brief intervention since you must start thinking about your patterns and if they are problematic. Talking in this way with a professional can provide you with therapeutic benefits that will help you start moving towards being ready to change your life for the better.

Starting Your Screening

Alcohol Screening Phoenix is here to help you with your screening. While there are other options available to offer you help, there are also many reasons why we believe you should choose to work with us, including:

• We offer personalized care because we have a low client-to-staff ratio.
• Our approach is holistic – designed to heal your entire life.
• The environment is both warm and professional.

To get started today, give Alcohol Screening Phoenix a call at (602) 535-6468. We have helped multiple people over the years get through this process and reclaim their lives, and we look forward to helping you, too.

ADOT-approved screeningaffordable AZ DUI screeningalcohol screeningalcohol screening arizonaalcohol screening azalcohol screening phoenixAlcohol Screenng PhoenixArizona Alcohol and drug screeningArizona MVD alcohol screeningArizona restricted driver's licenseAZ licensed DUI providerAZ MVD DUI screeningDUI ArizonaDUI phoenixDUI screeningMVD alcohol screening onlineonline screeningPhoenix DUIphoenix online DUI alcohol screeningscreening for the MVDstopped for a DUI in Phoenix