Posts Tagged ‘probation’
Dual Diagnosis Working in Dallas County
Last Updated on Monday, 1 March 2010 01:45 Written by Monica Monday, 1 March 2010 01:44
Bipolar disorder is one of the most severe forms of mental illness. While it can be a genetically factored disease, it is often also found hand in hand with alcoholism or drug addiction. A probation program in Dallas County specifically looks at the dual diagnosis of addiction and bipolar disorder and treats them together in order to help more people to successfully rehabilitate.
Honesty and accountability are required of the ones on probation. Properly treating the dual diagnosis of bipolar disorder and addiction are required of the program. Together they can build something remarkable: a second chance.
If a person is treated just for bipolar disorder or another mental illness but not for an addiction, chances are he or she is going to relapse quickly. If a person is treated for the addiction but not for the illness, same thing. Neither can successfully be treated if they are not both treated. Sort of a catch 22. Some probation programs recognize this and are working towards heading off problems associated with treating only part of such a situation.
It stands to reason that if a person can get disability for depression and bipolar disorder, then it needs to be recognized in the judicial system and the drug addiction cycle as well. This is where the dual diagnosis treatment comes in. It encourages honesty and accountability in those that the judicial system is giving a second chance to. It also aids in successful rehabilitation, having more people cleaner longer and less people relapsing and getting into more legal trouble.
Check to see if your county has a dual diagnosis probation program for mental illness and addiction. If it does, great. If not, bring it to the attention of those who should know. Let them know that the probation program in Dallas County seems to be having positive effects with it. It would be nice if every county in every state could eventually work this way. Treating both problems could end the addiction one altogether.
Dallas County is showing a good success rate. Two thirds more participants are graduating successfully than not. More are in the program and both the judicial system and the participants are finding it is showing a good rapport between success and accountability. Follow through has been successful for the most part as well, with clean drug tests. This helps participants maintain employment and encourages artistic endeavors as well, such as writing essays. All in all, dual diagnosis seems to be a positive program in the probation system.
Tags: bipolar disorder, drug addiction, dual diagnosis, probation, treatment | Posted under Texas Rehab | No Comments
Intoxication Manslaughter in Texas
Last Updated on Thursday, 11 February 2010 06:19 Written by Monica Wednesday, 10 February 2010 04:18
Manslaughter is a charge where someone has died and someone else is held responsible. There is voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter and the laws in different states deal with both counts and the individual situations as warranted. However, there is another form of manslaughter that is called intoxication manslaughter and Texas is one of the few states that prosecutes it fully.
Accidents do happen and tragically, someone can die. Mitigating factors are thoroughly checked out such as whether the person broke any traffic laws, was driving with a suspended license, or if the person was negligent in some way. These are usually tried as misdemeanors.
However, if a person is found to be intoxicated or under the influence of something, it is treated in Texas as a second degree felony and the prosecution goes after the person diligently. In intoxication manslaughter cases, the prosecution only has to prove that the driver was indeed, intoxicated. The term of incarceration could be anything from two years to twenty years.
Intoxication manslaughter can be seen as with or without a deadly weapon and depending on which one is found in the case is how the person’s sentence will be dealt with. If it is tried as intoxication manslaughter alone, then a person could request probation after spending anywhere from 30 to 180 days in jail. If, however, the person is found to have used a deadly weapon (in such cases, a car), then probation is not allowed.
Texas is one of the states found to have a zero tolerance policy for many things. Our death penalty convictions are usually upheld, we go after child molesters stringently and we have no tolerance for drug or alcohol offenses. If a person is found in another state and has warrants in Texas, that person will be extradited. Texas goes after its offenders.
No one truly intends to commit intoxication manslaughter. They do not wake up and say “I’m going to get drunk tonight and drive and see who gets in my way.” Still, before a person drinks, he or she should make arrangements with a taxi service, a sober friend or just stay home to drink if drinking is a desire.
Texas people like to party just as anyone else does but Texas also knows that with partying, with drinking, responsibility needs to occur. So if you choose to drink in Texas and you are of age to do so, fine. But if you choose to drink and drive in Texas, look out. The penalties are stiff and believe it or not, well deserved. Don’t mess with Texas.
Tags: 2nd degree felony, drink and drive, intoxication manslaughter, probation, zero tolerance | Posted under Texas Rehab | No Comments
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