Court-ordered rehab in the UK
Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRR) and Alcohol Treatment Requirements (ATR) — what they are, how to get one, and what to do before the hearing.
If a family member is facing sentencing and addiction is at the root of it, the sentencing options open to the court change dramatically once treatment is actively engaged. This page is written for people making decisions in days, not weeks.
Before sentencing — what actually matters
- 1. Self-refer today. Book into the local NHS community drug/alcohol service (Change Grow Live, We Are With You, Turning Point). Attendance from day one is evidence.
- 2. Ask your solicitor to request a Pre-Sentence Report — and specifically, one that considers a DRR or ATR. The probation officer preparing it needs treatment engagement to recommend it.
- 3. If self-funded rehab is possible, get a bed booked before the hearing. A written offer of a residential place carries real weight in court.
- 4. Bring letters of support — from GPs, employers, family. These matter more than most defendants realise.
DRR vs ATR at a glance
Drug Rehabilitation Requirement
- • 6 months to 3 years
- • Class A/B drug offending link
- • Regular urine testing
- • Probation supervision
- • Can include residential stay (rare)
Alcohol Treatment Requirement
- • 6 months to 3 years
- • Alcohol-linked offending
- • Structured community programme
- • Probation supervision
- • Residential rare — usually self-funded top-up
Common questions
What is a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR)?▾
A DRR is a community sentence in England and Wales that requires the person to attend structured drug treatment for 6 months to 3 years. It's supervised by probation, includes regular testing, and can involve residential rehab. Available at sentencing for anyone whose offending is linked to Class A or B drug use.
What is an Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR)?▾
The alcohol equivalent of a DRR: 6 months to 3 years of structured alcohol treatment as part of a community sentence. Introduced under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Usually community-based; residential ATR is rarer and depends on local funding.
How do I get a DRR or ATR instead of prison?▾
It has to be requested at sentencing. Your solicitor should ask probation to prepare a Pre-Sentence Report that recommends it. The court will only agree if you consent, and if a treatment place is available. Voluntary engagement with a community drug/alcohol service before sentencing significantly helps.
Does the court pay for residential rehab?▾
In practice, rarely. Local-authority funding for residential rehab is scarce; most DRRs are community-based. Some people combine self-funded (or family-funded) residential rehab with a DRR to strengthen the case at sentencing.
Will a DRR be on my record?▾
Yes — it's a court-ordered sentence. Successful completion is recorded; breach means resentencing, usually to custody. It becomes spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act after the relevant period.
Can I get help arranging this?▾
Yes. We work with UK criminal defence solicitors and interventionists who help arrange assessments before sentencing hearings. Speed matters — the earlier the assessment, the stronger the case.
Related
This is general information, not legal advice. A criminal defence solicitor should always lead sentencing strategy.