Court Ordered Rehab Centers in Washington

How does a court order someone into treatment in Washington?

A Washington treatment order usually comes from a criminal case or from a therapeutic court. In a criminal case, treatment can be a condition of sentencing, probation or a pretrial agreement. Each court sets its own eligibility and length, so ask the defense attorney or court coordinator.

Under chapter 2.30 of the Revised Code of Washington, every trial and juvenile court may set up therapeutic courts, and the statute leaves the types to local courts. One county may run drug, DUI, veterans or family dependency courts while another runs none.

Washington DUI cases follow section 46.61.5056 of the Revised Code of Washington. The first step is a diagnostic evaluation by a substance use disorder program licensed or certified by the Department of Health. The court then orders an alcohol and drug information school or more intensive treatment. Programs offering this work are on the DUI and DWI programs in Washington page.

Whether a court accepts a given program is up to the court or supervising officer, so check before enrolling. Federal confidentiality rules mean a program usually needs your written consent before sending progress reports to a judge, and each therapeutic court sets its own terms on opioid use disorder medication, so ask about both in writing.

Civil commitment is a separate route

Washington’s Involuntary Treatment Act, chapter 71.05 RCW, is a civil process rather than a criminal sentence. Its definition of behavioral health disorder includes substance use disorder. Families asking about involuntary treatment should talk with an attorney or county crisis services, not a treatment court.

Will a Washington court accept any licensed treatment program?

A Washington court usually expects a program licensed by the Department of Health as a behavioral health agency, with substance use disorder service certification under chapter 246-341 WAC. The court or supervising officer still decides what it will accept. The Department of Health publishes licensing information for behavioral health agencies, and any admissions team can give its license number. RehabSeekers.com cannot say whether a court will accept a given program, so ask the attorney, coordinator or officer before enrolling. Each listing shows accreditation, languages and populations served where the provider supplied them.

Reports to the court and consent

Federal confidentiality rules for substance use treatment records, 42 CFR Part 2, apply to Washington programs. A program generally needs your written consent before sending attendance or progress reports to a judge, probation office or court coordinator. Ask intake staff whether the clinic sends these reports, how often and in what format. Read what the consent form lets the program share and with whom.

What levels of care can a Washington court require?

Washington treatment orders often begin with an assessment. The order then names a level of care, and sometimes a minimum length, based on what the assessment recommends.

Rules on medication for opioid use disorder differ between Washington’s therapeutic courts, because each court sets its own participation terms. RCW 71.24.595 directs the Health Care Authority to work on removing barriers to methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. Ask the court coordinator in writing whether medication is allowed. For prescribers, see Suboxone clinics in Washington.

How do you pay for court-ordered treatment in Washington?

Washington Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program run by the Health Care Authority, can pay for substance use disorder treatment for people who qualify. Washington has expanded Medicaid eligibility. The Apple Health managed care plans are:

• Community Health Plan of Washington
• Coordinated Care of Washington
• Molina Healthcare of Washington
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Washington
• Wellpoint Washington

Programs that take Apple Health are on the Medicaid page.

Publicly funded treatment in Washington runs through the Health Care Authority’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. The division administers the federal Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant. Look at state-funded rehab in Washington and sliding scale rehab in Washington. Ask each program whether it has funded openings for people with court requirements. Listings that accept private insurance show it.

What happens if you miss sessions on a Washington treatment order?

The judge decides the consequences of missed sessions on a Washington treatment order. They vary by court, by case and by the terms signed. If you have to miss an appointment, tell the program and the attorney or supervising officer early, and ask what the court will be told.

The Washington Recovery Help Line, 1-866-789-1511, can help find treatment and support statewide. Crisis Connections runs the line, with oversight by the Health Care Authority. In a crisis, call or text 988. The national treatment referral line also gives referrals.

Court ordered listings in Washington reach well past Seattle. Of these listings, 56 percent sit in towns, 26 percent in rural areas and 18 percent in urban areas. Spokane, Yakima and Longview appear most often. Nearly all, 95 percent, are within 25 miles of a river. The median distance to the nearest airport is 8.9 miles, and that airport is most often Olympia Regional Airport. Filter by level of care and payment, then call two or three programs with the order in hand. Browse more on the Washington page or the national court ordered rehab page.