Questions and answers

What should I bring to my assessment?

It depends on the reason for the assessment.

For a DWI, bring a copy of your breath (BAC) or blood test reading, whichever was taken; a certified lifetime driving record from each state where you are or were licensed or received a ticket; the $100 fee in cash or by card; and a copy of your ticket if you have it. If you don’t have your driving record, we can get it online for you at cost ($10). For DWI assessments, the State of North Carolina requires us to collect the full $100 at the time of the assessment. See what to bring to your DWI assessment.

For another legal charge or court case, a child custody or divorce matter, or a school or job referral, call us about a low-cost comprehensive substance abuse assessment. If you were referred by a school, court, therapist, doctor or another treatment center, bring any paperwork or referral information you have.

If you want treatment because you, or someone who cares about you, thinks there may be a substance use or mental health problem, just bring the $125 assessment fee.

Payment for non-DWI assessments is expected at the time of service.

What does outpatient substance use treatment involve?

Treatment usually starts with a need related to the use of a mind-altering substance. It could be legal, school, work or personal. The first step is a comprehensive substance abuse assessment by a qualified counselor, usually an LCAS or CSAC.

Treatment usually takes place in a group, but we accommodate individual needs. The counselor leads the group, starting with a check-in. Next comes the “process” part of the group, where each member can talk about their situation and concerns around substance use and its effects. Participants tend to learn more from each other’s situations, comments and progress than from meeting with a counselor alone. Counselors bring training and experience, but much of the value of a group comes from peers whose experiences are current and relevant. This part is usually the longest and, according to most participants, the most valuable.

Family counseling and education are valuable parts of treatment, and it helps when siblings, parents or adult children get involved with the counselor.

Once you complete the group program and are maintaining abstinence and recovery, you are welcome to keep attending group for $5 for as long as you like. This gives graduates ongoing support in early recovery.

Our groups are 3 hours long for several reasons. In our experience, a 3-hour group is clinically sound and gives enough time to work on problems caused by alcohol or drug use. It gives participants more time to process their concerns in a safe setting, means fewer visits to complete the same number of hours, and keeps our cost per hour lower, so participants pay less and get better results. We also offer weekend groups.

Our first goal is to help you never have another problem related to substance use, whether physical, emotional, legal, family, work or school. See our counseling services and treatment programs.

I completed treatment and paid my fees. Why can’t I get my license restored?

Usually it’s because the assessing agency wasn’t told the conviction or dismissal date. The state needs it before it will release a license for restoration, and it is always up to the client to tell the DWI assessment agency the conviction date.

How is my information released to my attorney, employer or family?

We can release information to anyone only when you ask us to and sign an “authorization to release information” form, sometimes called a “consent to release information.” Without it, federal law requires us to keep all of your information strictly confidential. The only exceptions are a threat to harm yourself or someone else, a situation where someone’s life is in danger, or evidence of child abuse or endangerment.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept most health insurance, including BCBSNC, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Optum and Cigna. Our staff will contact your insurance company for authorizations and to verify your benefits.

If you don’t have insurance, you can pay a discounted self-pay rate when the full rate would cause financial hardship. Our self-pay rates are among the lowest in the area. Payment plans may be arranged for post-trial DWI clients on a case-by-case basis.

We accept most credit cards and HSA/FSA cards (with a small card processing fee), CashApp, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle and money orders. There are no upfront or enrollment fees to keep you from getting into treatment.

The State of North Carolina sets the ADETS fee at $160 for NC DWI (508) clients.