The Difficult Choice to Bail An Addict Out of Jail or Not

Whether it’s from driving under the influence, stealing drugs, or another crime, many substance users find themselves in jail at some point on their journey. This leaves their friends, guardians, and family members with the difficult choice of bailing them out. Because there is no black and white answer, whether or not you should bail an addict out of jail is a highly nuanced decision to make.

The Strong Correlation Between Substance Addiction and Crime

In today’s society, there continues to be a strong link between addiction and crime. This is because many of the people who commit illegal acts, especially in drug-related offenses such as drug possession or selling, are simultaneously struggling with a substance use disorder.

More specifically, research has concluded that around 65% of the United States prison population is currently struggling with substance use disorder. Another 20% of the population is reportedly under the influence while committing their crime.¹

Reasons to Not Bail An Addict Out of Jail Immediately

When a loved one struggling with addiction gets imprisoned, it can be tempting to bail them out immediately. While leaving a substance user in prison can feel like a betrayal of their trust, sometimes deciding to bail out an addict out of jail can do more harm than good. A couple of benefits of leaving someone in jail with a substance addiction include:

#1: Forced Withdrawal From Drugs

The first step to living a life of sobriety is removing all traces of the substance from your system through the initial detoxification process. Right off the bat, jail time is the forced push an individual with substance use disorder needs to spend time away from drugs or alcohol and go through the withdrawal period.

#2: Separation From Harmful Influences

Whether it’s spending time around a circle of friends that also abuse substances or living in a stressful or abusive home, both peers and environmental influences can easily fuel a drug or alcohol addiction. Spending time in jail gives individuals a much-needed break from these harmful influences and might be the time they need to come to terms with their addiction.

Is There A Better Alternative To Spending Time In Jail?

While there are short-term benefits of an addicted person spending time in jail, it does not serve as a successful long-term solution. Two of the downfalls of spending time in jail with a substance addiction include:

#1: Heightened Risk For Overdose After Release

Believe it or not, within the first two weeks after an individual is released from prison, they are at 12.7 times higher risk for drug overdose than the general population.²This can be attributed to individuals returning to a drug after their tolerance for the substance decreases after spending ample time away from it in jail.

#2: Insufficient Addiction Treatment

Solely spending time away from substances doesn’t get users to the root cause of what is contributing to the addiction and how to treat it effectively. This is because most jails and prison staff don’t have the training or resources to provide addiction rehabilitation services. Only 11% of inmates with substance abuse and addiction receive proper treatment for their addictions behind bars.³

The Bottom Line: Professional Addiction Treatment Is The Key To Sobriety

Since there are benefits and drawbacks to consider for bailing an addict of jail, it is a tough decision to make. Whether you bail a person out or let them stay in jail, it is crucial to seek professional care once they get out of prison.

This is because, with the help of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, support groups, and the 12 step program implemented at drug treatment centers, struggling addicts are much less likely to slip into old drug use habits. Even more importantly, it helps them avoid life-threatening overdoses after detoxing in jail.

Post-Jail Addiction Treatment At Ocean Hills Recovery

Ocean Hills Recovery offers comprehensive addiction treatment services to the Southern California community. If you or a loved one has just been released from jail and is still struggling with addiction, contact our team to start on the path towards sobriety today.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/criminal-justice
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7349469/
[3] https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/40/3/E11

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Should You Bail An Addict Out Of Jail?