Payment of Expenses Incurred for Substance Use Testing and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Substance use testing and substance use disorder treatment can be costly but are often less costly than detention or incarceration. Inpatient treatment is also more expensive than outpatient treatment services.

The Judiciary typically pays for the treatment when the condition is imposed by the court; but, depending on an individual’s financial stability, a judge may order the individual to pay toward the cost of treatment partially or fully. When an individual on prerelease custody is obtaining treatment services, the BOP typically pays for those treatment services.   

When the Judiciary funds a court-imposed testing or treatment condition, it is referred to as “contract” treatment.^[1] Services that are not funded by the Judiciary are referred to as non-contract treatment. Non-contract services could be services that individuals pay for themselves, or that an agency, such as a non-profit or faith-based organization, provides.  

Last Updated: March 2020

Explore the other sections of the Substance Use Testing and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Reference Guide.

^[1] Under 18 U.S.C. § 3154, pretrial services offices have the authority to contract for treatment services. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3672, the Director of the AO has the authority to contract with treatment providers for persons under supervision, and may delegate this authority, under 28 U.S.C. § 602(d), to each the chief judge of each district.