Level I and Level II alcohol treatment

Alcohol Treatment and Therapy

If you are convicted of an alcohol related driving offense in Colorado you can count on having to complete some form of alcohol treatment and possibly some alcohol therapy. The courts can order you to complete a treatment program as part of your sentence. The Colorado department of motor vehicles can also require you to complete alcohol treatment in order to reinstate your driver’s license.

The Department of Behavioral Health of the Colorado Department of Health has defined the treatment standards for alcohol treatment and therapy. Alcohol treatment is categorized by levels and tracks. Your BAC and other factors will play a part in what alcohol treatment is necessary in your case. Courts may rely on a completed alcohol evaluation before determining what treatment is appropriate for you.

The Department of Behavioral Health of the Colorado Department of Health oversees the licensing of treatment providers. They require licensed treatment providers to follow an approved DUI specific curriculum. Level I and Level II services must be completed by a licensed treatment provider.

Level I is the first level of alcohol treatment. Level I is often completed by people who are charged with minor in possession of alcohol or of an under 21 drinking and driving with a BAC of at least 0.02 but less than 0.05. Level I alcohol education consists of 12 hours of DUI education and usually takes place over a 2 day period. Level 1 alcohol education usually takes place in a group class setting.

Level II alcohol education or therapy is the most common category of treatment seen in Colorado DUI and DWAI cases. Level II alcohol education and therapy is also a common reinstatement requirement of the Colorado department of motor vehicles. Level II education consists of 24 hours of DUI education and takes place over the course of 12 weeks. Level II education is usually provided in a group class setting.

In addition to Level II education sometimes a person convicted of an alcohol related driving offense will be required to complete Level II therapy. If Level II therapy is required then it will be completed after the completion of Level II education. Level II therapy treatment can take place over a 5 to 10 month time frame depending on the track you are assigned to complete. The track you are assigned to will be determined by an alcohol evaluator or the treatment provider. Factors used in considering what track to assign a person to complete include: prior alcohol related offenses, the BAC and other clinical factors.

The track guidelines are:

Track A, 42 hours over 21 weeks, first time offender with a BAC below 0.17 (0.2 if the offense happened before 1/1/07)

Track B, 52 hours over 26 weeks, first time offender with a BAC of 0.17 or higher (0.2 if the offense happened before 1/1/07)

Track C, 68 hours over 34 weeks, prior DUI/DWAI, with a BAC below 0.17 (0.2 if the offense happened before 1/1/07)

Track D, 86 hours over 43 weeks, prior DUI/DWAI, with a BAC above 0.17 (0.2 if the offense happened before 1/1/07)