If you have a second offense or higher level court referral for substance abuse, our 9 hour in person substance abuse group provides the structured psychoeducational and behavioral therapy required by Arkansas courts. The group meets weekly across our three offices and is led by licensed clinicians. The cost is $297. You receive completion documentation accepted by Arkansas courts and probation. Topics include the neurobiology of addiction, relapse prevention, healthy coping strategies, and connecting with longer term recovery resources. We also screen during the group for whether additional individual treatment may benefit you.
Arkansas Counseling and Wellness Services offers a court-approved 9-hour Substance Abuse Group at our Arkansas offices. This is the higher-tier in-person counseling program, used by Arkansas courts and probation for second-offense referrals or cases requiring more than education. Run by Licensed Professional Counselors with addictions credentials including AADC and MAC. Starting at $297, prepay required. Call 501-464-2926 to enroll.
How is this program different?
The 9-hour group is real counseling, not just education. It runs in-person across multiple sessions, blends psychoeducation with peer interaction, and addresses the behavioral and emotional patterns that drive use. Many courts and probation officers order this when the 3-hour education class is insufficient.
What topics are covered?
Stages of change and motivational interviewing.
Triggers, cravings, and high-risk situations.
Co-occurring mental health and substance use, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Family and relationship impact.
Relapse prevention planning and after-care resources.
How is the group scheduled?
Groups run on a calendar cadence at our Fayetteville, Bentonville, and North Little Rock offices. New cohorts open as enrollment fills. Attendance and participation are tracked; the completion certificate is issued only after all 9 hours are completed and clinical participation is documented.
Starting at
$297
Prepay required. Verify your specific scenario by calling 501-464-2926.
Substance Abuse Group FAQ
If your sentence specifies a 9-hour, in-person, or group substance abuse program, yes. If it specifies 3-hour education or online, you need our Substance Abuse Education class. Call 501-464-2926 if your court order is unclear.
Most cohorts complete in three to six weeks, depending on the schedule. The 9 hours run across multiple group sessions. We do not run all 9 hours in one day because the program is meant to be developmental.
Groups currently run at our North Little Rock office (4702 W. Commercial Dr., Suite B3) with rotating cohorts at Fayetteville (4241 Gabel Dr., Suite 2B) and Bentonville (2703 SE G St., Suite 1) when enrollment supports them. Call to confirm the next start date at the location closest to you.
Yes, our completion certificate documents the 9 hours, attendance, and clinical participation. We can also send the certificate directly to your probation officer or attorney on request, with your written consent.
Free 15-minute consultation.
No obligation. Talk through what you need and whether we are the right fit.
Published: 2025-09-15 ·
Last updated: 2026-04-29 ·
Last clinically reviewed: 2026-04-29 by Dr. Kristy Burton, PhD, LPC-S, LADAC, AADC, MAC, CS, SAP, NCC
Related Questions
How is this different from the 3 hour education class?
The 3 hour class is online, self paced, and appropriate for first offense or lower level referrals. The 9 hour group is in person, group based, and required for second offense or higher level referrals. Your court order specifies which level you need.
Where does the group meet?
The group meets at our offices in Fayetteville, Bentonville, and North Little Rock. Schedule and start dates are posted on our calendar. Attend the location and time that fit your schedule based on availability at intake.
Is this group court approved?
Yes. The 9 hour substance abuse group meets Arkansas court and probation requirements for second offense and higher level referrals. Completion documentation is accepted statewide.
How much does the group cost?
$297 for the full 9 hour program. Payment required in advance of starting. Group programs are typically not covered by insurance because they are not clinically indicated treatment.
Can I take this online?
No. The 9 hour group requires in person attendance to satisfy Arkansas court requirements for second offense referrals. The 3 hour online class is the only fully online option, and only for first offense referrals.
If you or someone you know is in crisis
988 — Suicide and Crisis Lifeline · call or text · 24/7 free
Text HOME to 741741 — Crisis Text Line · 24/7 free
988 then press 1 — Veterans Crisis Line
877-565-8860 — Trans Lifeline
1-800-662-4357 — SAMHSA National Helpline · substance use · 24/7 free
Sources retrieved April 2026. External resources reviewed for relevance to the topics on this page; Arkansas Counseling and Wellness Services is independent of the listed organizations except where directly noted.
Substance use disorder
A medical condition characterized by an inability to control substance use despite harmful consequences, defined by the DSM-5-TR with severity ranging from mild to severe.
Group counseling
A form of psychotherapy in which one or more clinicians lead a small group of individuals working on shared concerns, providing peer support and structured therapeutic content.
Court-mandated education
Substance abuse education ordered by a court as a condition of probation, deferred adjudication, or sentencing in criminal or traffic cases.
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