North Carolina law dictates that there are five placement levels for DWI substance abuse treatment and education. There are a minimum number of contact hours, time in group or class, and minimum lengths of time a person must be involved for DWI and <21 driving after consuming convictions.
State of NC rules require that a Substance Abuse assessment is valid for only 6 months.
Counseling or ADETS must be started within 6 months from the date of the assessment or a new assessment is required by the State.
Level I- DWI Education (Alcohol & Drug Education Traffic School):
The Alcohol & Drug Education Traffic School (ADETS) is an educational program for people who don’t have an identified substance use disorder but may be at risk for these disorders.
PRIME for Life is the educational program used in all the ADETS in North Carolina. The program’s goal is prevention of any type of alcohol or drug problem and the health problems these lead to.
- First DUI/DWI conviction (Total lifetime).
- Arrest BAC of .14 or less.
- Did not refuse breath test.
- Has no substance use disorder diagnosis as determined by ASAM (American Society of Addictions Medicine) upon completion of comprehensive alcohol and drug use evaluation.
- Must be a minimum of sixteen contact hours completed in no less than 5 sessions.
Level II-DWI Short-term Treatment:
- More than 1 DUI/DWI lifetime or
- Refused breath test.
- BAC of .15 or greater.
- DSM-V diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder – Mild.
- Meets Level I ASAM (American Society of Addictions Medicine) program placement criteria.
- A minimum of 20 contact hours over not less than 30 days.
Level III – Longer Term Treatment:
- Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Moderate or Severe Diagnosis.
- Meets Level I ASAM program placement criteria.
- Minimum of 40 contact hours over not less than 60 days.
Level IV-Intensive Outpatient Treatment:
- DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder, moderate or severe.
- Meets Level II ASAM program placement criteria.
- A minimum of 90 contact hours with a minimum duration of 90 days.
- According the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and NC DWI Services, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) requires groups to be scheduled at least 3 sessions, 3 hours each for a total of 9 hours per week in treatment. This program may be preceded by a brief inpatient stay for detoxification or stabilization of a medical or psychiatric condition.
Level V-Inpatient/Residential Treatment:
- DSM-V diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder, Severe:
- Upon discharge from inpatient treatment, a person is required by the State of NC to enroll in an approved continuing care or outpatient program to meet the 90-day time frame. There should not be any significant period of time between inpatient or residential treatment and beginning the 90 day follow up. There should also be no resumption of alcohol or drug use, even in small amounts prior to the 90 day follow up. If there are more than a couple of weeks between residential treatment and beginning the follow up or there has been any substance use, the DWI client will likely have to begin a new treatment program.