Illinois laws required individuals arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and other offenses related to alcohol and other drugs to obtain an alcohol/drug evaluation.

Through a formal evaluation, DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives counselors:

• Identify the extent and nature of the involvement with alcohol or other drugs and refer the client to the appropriate program according to the level of the problem.
• Inform the client that the recommended program can be completed with DUI Solutions or with a different licensed agency of their choice. DUI Solutions will provide a list of other agencies in the Bloomington/Normal area.
• Determine if other areas of concern exist.

The average DUI evaluation lasts about one and a half hours or 90 minutes.

DUI Solutions credentialed counselors provide evaluation and treatment services in English. They can also make suggestions or arrangements if the client's language is something other than English and can secure a licensed signer for the hearing impaired.

Q. I was Arrested for a DUI, what do I do now?

1. Call DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives to make an appointment for an evaluation. Evaluations are offered at moderate fees. Complete the recommended services on the DUI Evaluation.
2. Since you will need to appear in court, you may want to contact an attorney .

Q. What do I need to bring to the evaluation?

1. Tickets issued for the arrest.
2. Driving abstract or driving summary. This can be obtained by contacting the Secretary of State's office.
3. Notice of Statutory Summary Suspension.
4. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) from the arrest.
5. Provide lab results regarding blood and urine, if applicable.
6. Past evaluation or treatment records, if applicable.
7. Attorney's name, address, and phone number.
8. Fee for the evaluation or proof of income (for state funded assistance).

Q. What happens after the evaluation?
A level of service is recommended based on individual need. All DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives programs are designed to meet the legal requirements. DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives offers:

• DRI-Roads - Risk Education Classes
• Moderate Risk Outpatient Treatment
• Determine if other areas of concern exist.
• Significant Risk Outpatient Treatment
• High Risk Outpatient Treatment
• High Risk Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Q. How can I get my license back?
If your license has been suspended or revoked, we can assist you in seeking reinstatement of your driving privileges. DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives provides the following services:

• Assistance in completing the Secretary of State evaluations
• Referrals to other programs as appropriate
• Interviewing corroborative witnesses
• Consulting with your attorney
• Responding to denial letters
• Evaluations and reports
• Documenting abstinence from alcohol and other drugs
• FAQ's about revoked DUI clients and Secretary of State hearings

Q. What happens after the evaluation?
Referrals are then made:
If the evaluation determines that you do not have a problem with alcohol or other drugs, you will be referred to a state-approved educational seminar (sometimes called DRI-Roads). DUI Solutions is a licensed provider or you may contact your Court or Drivers License Division for a list of other licensed providers.

If the evaluation determines that you can benefit from treatment, you will be referred to an appropriate level of treatment at a center of your choice. In order to reinstate your driver's license and satisfy the Court Order, you will need to select a state-licensed facility. DUI Solutions is a licensed provider or you may contact your Court or Driver's License Division for other requirements.

Q. How do I reinstate my driver's license?
Contact the Driver's License Division of your licensing state and/or arresting state. That division will tell you exactly what you need to do, the length of your suspension, the reinstatement fees, etc. In general, in all 50 states, you must do four things:

1. Be evaluated by a licensed provider.
2. Complete, or at least be enrolled in, whatever program you are referred to.
3. Pay the State(s) their reinstatement fee.
4. Have your insurance agent send the State(s) an SR-22 proving that you have vehicle liability insurance.

Check with your State for any additional requirements.

Q. Are my records kept confidential and will I be able to get copies of my evaluation at a later date?
All records at DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives are considered to be medical records and are protected by Federal rules as well as state licensing rules. All records are strictly confidential and under Federal confidentiality rule 42 CFR Part2 cannot be released to anyone without your express consent. All records are retained for seven years and are backed up on a regular basis. Should you a need copy of your records later contact us.

Myth vs. Fact about evaluations
Are All Those Awful Stories I Hear About Evaluations True?

Myth: "Those counselors send everyone who has 1 or 2 beers to treatment."
Fact: The majority of people that we see for evaluations do not have the disease of alcoholism or other drug addictions. They drank 4 to 5 beers at an office 'going away' party and were stopped for swerving. They pay the consequences for their behavior, and soon it is all behind them. They also "learn their lesson" and we don't see them coming back.

Myth: "Those counselors are 'in cahoots' with the police and courts to make money."
Fact: DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives is not affiliated with any court, chain of treatment centers or hospitals, and plays no part in the role of law enforcement. The police enforce the law and the courts punish. DUI Solutions tries to determine the extent of the help you need. If you need help with addiction or education about alcoholism and other chemical dependencies we can assist you in receiving that help.

Myth: "Don't tell those counselors the truth about your drinking or they'll send you to treatment." Fact: If the truth sends you to treatment, its because you need to be there. In an evaluation, you have the opportunity to honestly review your alcohol or other drug use with a professional who is licensed to diagnose chemical dependency. While most people are free of addiction, others are showing warning signs of potential problems, while others are seriously in need of help. Addiction is like any other disease: the earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat. DUI Solutions & Treatment Alternatives evaluations are based on psychosocial questionnaires using the DSMIV (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual IV), the exact evaluation criteria used by your physician or psychiatrist. The DSMIV is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is an approved diagnostic method used by the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, World Health Association, Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addiction, among 55 other international medical and health organizations.

Myth: "Don't mention using any illegal drugs or they'll have the police arrest you."
Fact: Federal Law (42 CFR Part 2) restricts any use of this information to criminally investigate or prosecute any alcohol or drug abuse patient. All evaluations are completed in our office and none of this information is released without your express consent. Under Federal law, it is our obligation to report the abuse of children or vulnerable adults. If such behavior is a part of your history, you may want to contact your attorney prior to disclosing such facts to DUI Solutions.