Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Programs (ACDP) promotes innovation, rehabilitation and protection through the planning and implementation of substance use disorder screening, treatment, and reintegration services within the Department of Adult Correction.
The Establishment of ACDP
In 1985, a North Carolina Legislative Research Commission reported:
- More than 67% of criminal offenses were directly connected to alcohol and drug use;
- Treating addiction was imperative since most offenders will eventually leave prison; and
- Punishment alone did not work.
The commission proposed an act to establish a substance abuse program for offenders. In 1987, G.S. 143B-262 was amended to create a substance abuse program that later became Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Programs.
About ACDP
ACDP recognizes substance use disorder as a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development. The disease often presents with substance abuse followed by addictive behaviors, is progressive, and may be fatal if left untreated. Until these problems are addressed, success in other life areas may be difficult to achieve.
Programs are designed around "best practices and evidenced based principles" for intervention and treatment, as established by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to include:
- Understanding addiction as a brain disease that affects behavior;
- Comprehensive assessment and treatment planning with participant involvement;
- Exploration of both criminal and addiction thinking patterns;
- Use of Cognitive-Behavior interventions ... Change Thinking to Change Behavior;
- Effort to instill change through repetition, skill practice and role play;
- Use of a gender-specific standardized curriculum;
- Adequate treatment duration;
- Discharge planning and community coordination; and
- Provision of regular and consistent clinical staff supervision and training.
All ACDP clinical staff are registered or credentialed through the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board as required by G.S. 90-113.40. Counselors embrace the 12 core functions of substance use disorder counseling: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and recordkeeping, and consultation with other professionals.
ACDP encompass four service levels:
- Community-based residential treatment;
- Prison-based intensive outpatient intermediate treatment;
- Prison-based intensive outpatient long-term treatment; and
- Recovery Road Services (engagement, treatment access, aftercare and re-entry).
Annual Legislative Reports
For specific information related to program outcomes, please read the Annual Legislative Reports linked below:
Contact Information
ACDP Administration Section Chief
840 W. Morgan Street
MSC 4211
Raleigh, NC 27699-4211
Phone: 919-716-3860
Fax: 984-204-2836