Criminal justice client rehabs can be considered being a significantly better option than incarceration or significant fines for many who have already been convicted of any type of drug or alcohol related crime. As an example, anyone who has been found guilty of driving drunk of drugs or alcohol may be eligible to obtain rehab services for problem instead of serving time in prison. The judge might even order that the individual receive rehab, either alone or as well as other sentencing. Very first time offenders in particular in many cases are given the ability to go with a criminal justice client rehab as an alternative to other sentencing, and it is well-advised that they take advantage of it when it is an alternative. The theory behind criminal justice client rehabs is that it is far more efficient and effective to invest time and energy into treatment than punishment. Much research has been done to find out how effective this process is on recidivism rates, i.e. if the criminal justice client returns or not to criminal justice system following rehab. The signs and indicators appear to be quite positive, and criminal justice clients who take part in rehabilitation have a much better chance of remaining out of the system following rehab.