Beacon of Hope Wellness Center
Welcome To Beacon Of Hope
Driving Under the Influence Education Program
The Maryland Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Education Program at Beacon of Hope Wellness Center is a State approved alcohol and drug education program to assist individuals with a DUI or Driving While Impaired (DWI) conviction to regain their driving privileges. DUI education services are offered to adolescents and adults, and provided in-person, face-to-face. Our DUI education classes are conducted in a group setting, in which an evidence-based curriculum is used to educate and promote the involvement of participants to assess and change their attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts as it relates to alcohol and other drugs while operating a vehicle or boat. Some of the topics of the DUI Education Program include identifying triggers, making better life decisions, motor vehicle laws and associated penalties, health consequences of alcohol and drug use, and lapse and relapse prevention. The purposes of the program’s group format are to raise participants’ awareness, influence behavioral changes, and encourage and maintain sobriety; thereby, lowering the risk for any future DUI/DWI offenses and/or substance use or misuse problems. A certificate of completion is issued at the course completion.
Our DUI Education Program has two components, Level I and Level II. The first step is to complete an intake, which a staff member completes a brief screening assessment to determine if a potential participant is appropriate for our treatment facility. Before admission into the DUI Education Program, the participant will meet face-to-face with a substance abuse counselor to complete an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessment to determine her/his level of care placement. The assessment appointment will take about 90 minutes. The results of the assessment will indicate if the participant is an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent. If the results of the participant’s assessment indicate a higher level of care, our licensed/certified substance abuse counselor will discuss the matter with the participant and make appropriate referrals for additional mental health services or substance use treatment such as Outpatient (OP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), or inpatient or residential treatment. Our organization offers OP and IOP services. We offer easy enrollment and rolling start dates into our DUI Education Program.
In the State of Maryland, DUI and DWI, are classified by the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC):
- Driving While Impaired (DWI), BAC of .07 to less than .08
- Driving While Under the Influence (DUI), BAC of .08 or more
Level I ~ 12-hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
- 2-hour sessions each week for six weeks.
- The course is conducted in a group setting.
- The participant does not identify as either an alcohol/drug abuser or alcohol/drug dependent as determined by a thorough alcohol and drug assessment.
- The participant has no prior offenses, first time alcohol or drug offense, no prior diagnosis of substance abuse or substance dependence, and no other problems related to alcohol and other drugs use or misuse.
- Parents who have a youth participating in court diversion or juvenile justice programs.
- Must begin within 90 days from the due date printed in the top right hand corner on your referral letter.
- The admission process is about 90 minutes, an hour and a half.
- The cost is $300, payable by money order or certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted. The fee includes the participant workbook.
- You must come alcohol and drug free for your intake/assessment appointment. If you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when you report for your appointment, we will NOT conduct your assessment. If you are on probation, we are required to report the matter to your probation officer and/or attorney.
Level II ~ 26-week is Alcohol Treatment Program
- 2-hour sessions each week for 26 weeks.
- The course is conducted in a group setting.
- The BAC was at the impaired driving level when the participant was arrested.
- Incorporates the 12-hour AEP curriculum
- The participant identifies as either an alcohol/drug abuser or alcohol/drug dependent as determined by a thorough alcohol and drug assessment.
- The participant has been convicted of more than one alcohol or drug-related traffic offense.
- Parents who have a youth participating in court diversion or juvenile justice programs.
- Random breathalyzers and/or urinalysis tests.
- The admission process is about 90 minutes, an hour and a half.
- The cost is $450, payable by money order or certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted. The fee includes the participant workbook.
- You must come alcohol and drug free for your intake/assessment appointment. If you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when you report for your appointment, we will NOT conduct your assessment. If you are on probation, we are required to report the matter to your probation officer and/or attorney.
What to bring with you at your initial DUI Education Program appointment?
- Referral letter
- A photo identification of you like your driver’s license, passport, Military ID or government issued photo identification.
- A certified, lifetime Maryland MVA driving record and/or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record from any state where the participant has previously had a DUI/DWI and /or where s/he currently hold a driver’s license.
- Notice of citation or suspension
- Superior or District court order
- Documentation of chemical test results (breath/blood test-Blood Alcohol Concentration-BAC) or documentation of the refusal to submit to chemical tests
- A copy of the arrest report
- Participants who are more than 15 minutes late for this appointment, may be required to reschedule and pay a fifty-dollar ($50.00) missed appointment fee, payable by money order or a certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center.
Costs
The cost for the DUI education program is $300 for the 12-hour DUI course and $450 for the 26-week DUI course, payable by money order or certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted. The fees include the participant workbook.