Criminal justice clients frequently need drug or alcohol treatment because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be accepted into a criminal justice drug treatment center or recovery program. The initial step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of treatment is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients receive their substance abuse treatment while they are incarcerated. For the best possible results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery once they leave jail and enroll in sober living or a long-term residential transitional living program.