You’ve Been Convicted of a DUI, Now What?

You’ve Been Convicted of a DUI, Now What?

DUI Education and DUI Treatment/Therapy - Defined and Explained

If you’re one of the 10,000 people who have been arrested for a DUI this year in Colorado, you know the overwhelming feeling that hits when you realize the extent of work now required to wade through the consequences. Dealing with the effects of this conviction on your job, personal life, and well-being can be painful and exhausting. If that is not enough, now you must navigate the court requirements, which could be a combination of DUI education, DUI therapy/treatment, and possibly the instatement of an interlock device in your vehicle. Let us walk you through some of the requirements and how Sample Therapy can help you meet them.

What the Colorado Government Says

According to Colorado.Gov, “[i]n accordance with 2 CCR 502-1 Behavioral Health Rules, OBH, or the Office of Behavioral Health, develops and enforces rules for licensed Level I and Level II DUI education and treatment/therapy programs. Level I and Level II Services can only be completed at programs licensed by OBH to provide these services. Licensed programs must use an OBH-approved, DUI-specific curriculum in the delivery of Level I and Level II services. DUI education and therapy services must be provided in person, face-to-face.”

The main implications of these rules mean that unfortunately, you cannot sit at your computer in your bathrobe and knock your DUI classes out on a Sunday afternoon. You must find a licensed facility to physically go to in order to take these classes. Lucky for you, if you live in or around Longmont, you don’t have to go to the basement of a YMCA or the back room of a church. At Sample Therapy, we offer Level I and Level II Education and Level II Therapy in a comfortable, home-like setting. Take a look at our website for more information.

The Requirements in Detail

Materials and Time

You will be required to purchase all OBH approved materials used in these classes from your chosen licensed professional. Each program will require a certain amount of hours to be completed during a certain time frame. This can be challenging, especially for those of us with busy schedules and whose main method of transportation is now unavailable. Keep these things in mind when searching for a provider. While Sample Therapy offers Saturday classes, provides all necessary materials, and is close to public transport, not all providers are the same. ​

Level I Education

Level I Education is for minors whose BAC was less than a .08, but greater than .02, at the time of driving. This is a 3 day class, consisting of 12 total hours with a maximum of 4 hours per day. Most often these classes are conducted in groups and happen 3 days back to back. If you are a repeat offender though this class will not be applicable. ​

Level II Education

Level II Education consists of 24 hours of DUI education over the course of 12 weeks. Again, these classes are most often held in groups with a class size capped at 12 participants. Level II Education classes can be recommended by themselves or may be followed by Level II Therapy. You must complete level II Education before you may move on to Therapy.

Level II Therapy

The duration of this requirement will vary, but individuals will be placed by his/her probation officer on either track A, B, C, or D. Track assignment depends on whether a person has prior impaired driving offenses, their BAC (or refusal to take a test), and other clinical indicators. Track A consists of 42 hours of therapy, track B is 52 hours of therapy, track C is 68 hours of therapy, and track D is 86 hours of therapy. ​

Additional Services to Consider

At Sample Therapy, we want to give you all the possible tools to help you make this your last DUI offense. Sometimes, the requirements just aren’t enough and you may want to participate in supplementary counseling services to ensure you stay on track.

As a result of your court order, you may have been assigned an interlock device for your vehicle. Failing to comply with the device requirements may drastically set back your progress, something you want to avoid at all costs. We offer the optional Interlock Enhancement Therapy that can compliment your installed Interlock. This therapy consists of individual and group sessions and can run concurrently with other forms of support.

In addition, sometimes one class a week is not enough to maintain the sober mindset. We want you to get the amount of therapy that is necessary for your success, which is why we offer Enhanced DUI therapy, in individual or group sessions for those who are required to or choose to meet with the therapist 2x a week. The prices and times vary on what your needs are or what the court has asked you to complete. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions at (720) 684-6309.