What to Expect

A DWI Substance Use Assessment is required of everyone who is convicted of Driving While Impaired in the state of North Carolina. You can not receive a Limited Driving Privilege without a DWI Assessment. DWI and Substance Use assessments and groups can only be conducted by facilities licensed by the state of North Carolina to meet requirements to restore your driver’s license.

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A DWI Substance Use Assessment is an alcohol and drug use assessment consisting of an interview by a Licensed or Certified Substance Use Counselor and a structured assessment questionnaire to a person’s relationship with alcohol and/or drugs.

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Barnes Consulting Services, LLC is fully licensed by NC DWI Services and will assist you with your assessment in a professional, confidential and timely manner.  Barnes Consulting Services will often complete an assessment within 24-48 hours of when you call to request an appointment.

 

COMPLETING YOUR ASSESSMENT

       Why Get Your DWI Assessment Done as Soon as Possible?

• In NC, a  DWI assessment is usually required prior to receiving a Limited Driving Privilege; it is always required to receive the privilege 10 days into the 30 day civil revocation.

• Shorten the period of time you can’t drive during your “Civil Revocation.”

• A DWI Assessment is a Mitigating Factor during your trial and can reduce the level of punishment, possibly helping avoid active jail time.

• Know in advance where you stand with your DWI Substance Use requirements.

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What We Need from You to Complete the DWI Assessment

The cost of NC DWI Assessments is a state-mandated fee of $100. This fee must be paid at your appointment.

1. NC Driving Record (within the last 30 days) – non-certified lifetime copy can be obtained online at: https://payments.ncdot.gov/auth

2. Breathalyzer/Blood Draw/BAC*

3. Citation*

4. Any other legal documents

5. Photo ID

6. Front & Back of Insurance Card

 

*If you do not have these, please contact your attorney, or the Clerk of Courts in the county you received the DWI and they should be able to provide them for you.

 

If you live in another state and received an NC DWI, Barnes Consulting Services  can help you with your assessment and classes or counseling without you having to return to North Carolina. With our help, you can meet all the requirements by receiving services in the area in which you live.

 

What are the Possible DWI Assessment Outcomes?

These placement requirements set by the NC DHHS DWI Services and must be followed by licensed DWI providers in the State of NC. Assessments are only valid for 6 months.

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North Carolina law dictates that there are five placement levels for DWI substance use treatment and education. There are a minimum number of contact hours, time in group or class, and minimum lengths of time a person must be involved for DWI and <21 driving after consuming convictions.

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Level I-DWI Education (Alcohol & Drug Education Traffic School)

• First DUI/DWI conviction (total lifetime)

• Arrest BAC of 0.14 or less

• Did not refuse breath test

• Has no Substance Use Disorder diagnosis as determined by ASAM (American Society of Addictions Medicine) upon completion of comprehensive alcohol and drug use evaluation

• Must be a minimum of 16 contact hours completed in no less than 5 sessions

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Level II-DWI Short-term Treatment

• Previous DUI/DWI conviction (total lifetime)

• Arrest BAC of 0.15 or greater

• Breath test refusal

• Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Disorder, Mild Diagnosis

• Minimum of   20 Hours/30 days-duration

•  Minimum of  30 Hours/45 days duration

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Level III-DWI Long-term Treatment

• Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Disorder, Moderate Diagnosis

• Meets Level I ASAM program placement criteria

• Minimum of 40 but less than 89 contact hours, a minimum of 60 days duration

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Level IV-Intensive Outpatient Treatment

• Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Disorder, Moderate to Severe Diagnosis

• Meets Level II ASAM program placement criteria

• Minimum of 90 contact hours, minimum of 90 days duration

• According to Health Insurance, the State of NC, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and NC DWI Services, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) requires groups to be scheduled at least 3 sessions, 3 hours each for a total of 9 hours per week in treatment. This program may be preceded by a brief inpatient stay for detoxification or stabilization of a medical or psychiatric condition

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Level V-Inpatient/Residential Treatment

• DSM-V diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder, Severe

• Upon discharge from inpatient treatment, a person is required by the State of NC to enroll in an approved continuing care or outpatient program to meet the 90-day time frame. There should not be any significant period of time between inpatient or residential treatment and beginning the 90 days follow up. There should also be no resumption of alcohol or drug use, even in small amounts prior to the 90 day follow up. If there is more than a couple of weeks between residential treatment and beginning the follow-up or there has been any substance use, the DWI client will likely have to begin a new treatment program

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