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