The Phase Structure

Treatment Courts: The Phase Structure

Start

The Treatment Court: Phase Structure

Arrest

First Appearance

Arraignment

Referral

Legal Screening

Clinical Screening

Team Staffing

Not Eligible

Case Returns to Court for Adjudication

Eligible

Contracted into Program

Judge sets case out two weeks to be screened for treatment courts.

Risk Needs Assessment completed with client.

Clinical Assessment Diagnosis to determine needs (mild, moderate, severe).

Team is informed they are high-risk / high-need.

Case is adjudicated and set to treatment court docket.

Observe program. Review contract with defense attorney. Enters treatment court.

7 Days - Enter Program

7 Days - Discuss Screens at Staffing

Allow 7 Days Following First Appearance

7 Days

Client enters Treatment Court

Client progresses through the phase structure.

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase 2

Phase 1

Prosocial Habilitation

Adaptive Habilitation

Recovery Management

Clinical Stabilization

Acute Stabilization

The Treatment Court: Phase Structure

Click on the plus signs for more information regarding each phase.

Phase

Phase

Phase

Phase

Phase

Acute Stabilization

Clinical Stabilization

Prosocial Habilitation

Recovery Management

Adaptive Habilitation

Phase

Acute Stabilization

• Building a strong relationship with the participant and encouraging engagement in treatment is crucial during this phase.
• For high-risk/high-need participants, biweekly court appearances lead to better outcomes compared to monthly or less frequent meetings, while weekly appearances show no additional significant benefits.
• Assessing each participant's risk and needs is essential to determine the appropriate level of court supervision at entry.

Return

Phase

Clinical Stabilization

• Phase 2, called clinical stabilization, is recommended to last 90 days with similar court requirements as Phase 1.
• Case planning should shift from physical recovery capital to addressing human capital, including skills, self-awareness, and purpose.
• Both Phases 1 and 2 emphasize using community resources and cognitive-behavioral (CB) treatments.

Return

Phase

Prosocial Habilitation

• Phase 3 expands the focus from human capital to community capital, ensuring community resources support addiction recovery.
• Emphasis is placed on diverse, accessible treatment resources and culturally supported recovery pathways.
• Local recovery efforts, community-valued recovery norms, and activities for client engagement are key components.

Return

Phase

Adaptive Habilitation

• Adaptive habilitation focuses on maintaining treatment gains by improving long-term adaptive functioning, like vocational or educational counseling.
• This phase is recommended to last 90 days with similar court requirements as previous phases.
• Phase 4 emphasizes case management, helping clients access natural and community-based supports for long-term recovery.

Return

Phase

Recovery Management

• The recovery management phase focuses on participants applying skills gained in treatment and preparing for successful discharge from treatment court.
• This phase lasts 90 days with similar court requirements, aiming to help participants transition out of the court program.
• Participants demonstrate increased human capital, such as problem-solving, self-awareness, and a sense of purpose, supported by natural relationships and tools for long-term recovery.

Return