ADSAP (Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program)

This is no secret: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is almost always destructive. Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in substance-related crashes. South Carolina lost 315 people to alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2020. These accidents cause a ripple effect – they don’t just impact the drivers. They impact families, friends, and communities. At Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County, we believe that these offenses are 100% preventable. 

This is why we devote so much of our time to the healing and rehabilitation of people struggling with substance use. It’s also why we’re passionate about participating in South Carolina’s Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP.) ADSAP is a way for us to treat those who have been convicted of driving under the influence. We don’t want to see anyone get a second or third DUI. With evidence-based treatment and education, we can help DUI offenders and prevent future offenses. 

What is ADSAP, and How Does it Help?

ADSAP is a program for those who have been convicted of a DUI or BUI offense in South Carolina. It’s a court-ordered program that allows offenders who have lost their license to regain their driving privileges. Any person who has been driving with an illegal alcohol concentration (.08% or above) is required to enroll in an ADSAP program before regaining their permanent driving privileges. This program is also for people who refuse to take a blood, breath, or urine test to determine their blood alcohol level.

What Do We Do in ADSAP?

During your assessment, we’ll determine what services will be the most helpful for you. During your time here with the program, we can help with one or all of the following things:

• Your medical care. For some, medication may be necessary in order to stop drinking or using drugs. We’ll need to assess whether or not this is needed for your situation.
• Group counseling. Attending group counseling has been proven to work wonders for dependency issues. During group therapy, you’ll be able to confide in others who are going through similar struggles. You’ll hold each other accountable, encourage each other, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments and strides. You’ll put a plan in place for healthier coping mechanisms moving forward.
• Individual counseling. We recommend individual counseling for most people who struggle with substance use. This is once a week for about 50 minutes, and if you need more, we can discuss that. Your counselor will work with you on your triggers or the things that make you want to use alcohol or drugs in the first place. Once you can identify those triggers, you can begin to address them and heal. You’ll work on techniques to help with anger, depression, anxiety, and more. We hope that through counseling you’ll feel empowered to live a substance-free life.
• Testing for drugs/alcohol. The goal of this program is to show progress that you’re on your way to a healthier life, so drug and alcohol tests are often performed to show that progress.
• Family therapy. Substance misuse doesn’t just affect you, it affects the people around you. If your family needs healing, we offer family therapy to help you get your support system back. This kind of therapy can often repair relationships and restore trust.
• Aftercare/follow-up support. We want your recovery to extend far beyond ADSAP. Once you’ve completed the program, we might recommend aftercare. Sometimes that means continuing group/individual therapy, support groups, or meeting with peer specialists. We believe in recovery and we’ve seen it last. Aftercare solidifies this.

Not everyone will need all of our services, and our recommendations vary based on your unique situation. 

Enrolling in ADSAP

It’s a requirement to enroll in ADSAP within 30 days of your conviction. You can enroll with any certified ADSAP provider – BHSPC is one of those providers. If you don’t enroll in ADSAP within those 30 days, the court will be notified and they can choose to hold you in contempt of court. The DMV can’t restate your license (or special driving privileges) until it’s notified of your enrollment in the program. 

Once you enroll with us, we’ll work on your assessment. All this means is that we want to sit down with you and discuss what got you here in the first place. We want to discuss the problem areas that brought you to this DUI offense. We’ll then discuss ways we can help you reach the goal of avoiding future violations. We’ll work with you on your treatment plan moving forward. 

Can I Afford ADSAP?

ADSAP has an initial enrollment cost of $75, and depending on your treatment, costs can vary from $500 to $2500. We work with many of our patients on a sliding-fee scale, which means some treatment is based on your income. We also offer payment plans and we work with most insurance (including Medicaid.) We don’t want anyone to miss out on important programs or services because they can’t afford them. We don’t deny anyone treatment who needs it.

Do I Have to Complete ADSAP Before I Can Drive Again?

Once you’re enrolled, you can apply for a provisional license with South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The license will only work for six months, and it’s conditional – you need to stay enrolled in ADSAP to continue using it. This option is available so you can make it to treatment. A provisional license is only available if this is your first offense. Here are some of the requirements for your provisional license:

1. You need to be enrolled in ADSAP.
2. You need to be showing progress in the program. 
3. You need a valid South Carolina driver’s license at the time of your conviction.
4. Your DUI needs to be your first one (or your first one in ten years.)
5. Your license needs to have been revoked for a DUI only – if it has been suspended for any other reason, you won’t be able to obtain a provisional license.
6. You need to pay a $100 fee to SCDMV. 

Can I Get My License Back After I Complete This Program?

Yes. Once we discharge you from the program, we submit your termination change to completion paperwork. When your suspension is done you can apply for your regular license again through the DMV. You’ll need to pay some fees and retake your written and driving tests. Once you’ve accomplished all of that, you’ll be able to get back on the road with your permanent license.

We know how easy it is to end up on the wrong side of the law due to substance use. People of all ages are convicted of an alcohol or drug-related offenses every year. Our staff is compassionate, caring, and motivated to help. We’re filled with master-level clinicians whose only focus is to help you set and achieve healthy goals. We know that ADSAP is court-ordered, but we believe it changes lives. 

You’re not defined by your mistakes. At BHSPC we see you and we take a whole-person approach to your care. We’re looking forward to getting started on this journey with you. Whatever brought you, we’re glad you’re here. Please call us with any questions about ADSAP or treatment at 864-898-5800.

FAQ’s about South Carolina’s ADSAP