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First Step Services, LLC
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211 Six Forks Road, Building B , Suite 117,
Raleigh, NC 27609
820 Benson Road, Suite D,
Garner, NC 27529

Phone: (919) 833-8899 
Fax: (919) 833-8894 for both locations

Mental Health Counseling
Alcohol Abuse Counseling - Drug Abuse Counseling
Individual and Group Counseling - Family & Couples Counseling
DOT Evaluations - DMV Evaluations
North Carolina - DWI Assessments and Groups
Supervision for Provisional LCSW, CSAC, CCAS, & CCS Interns

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Counseling Services

NC DWI Information:
DWI Assessments, Classes, Groups, Other DWI Information , DWI Alcohol & Drug Assessments and Treatment

Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program

Classes and Group Counseling for Substance Abuse & DWI

Owner Profile

Why Choose First Step?

Links, News and Articles about substance abuse & recovery 

Pictures of our Facility

DWI INFO

What happens when someone is arrested for DWI in North Carolina?

What happens if I am convicted of DWI?

What is a DWI assessment? Do I have to get one? 

What is a drunk driving class and why are some of them called groups?

The drunk driving process

"I only had a couple." How much alcohol does it take to be considered "impaired?"

OTHER INFO

Drink Wheel -- How much alcohol does it take to be "impaired?"

Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems

How the Breathalyzer Works

NC DMV DWI Laws

 

DWI Assessment

The DWI Assessment is a structured interview to determine whether you have a problem with alcohol or drugs or whether you do not. The DWI Assessment is when the "508 Form" is first generated. The 508 Form is the official form that  the DMV will need to verify that you have completed all Driving While Impaired requirements and your license can be restored to you.  You will have to have an assessment to get a Limited Driving Privilege during your license 30 day "Civil Revocation"  that occurred when you were arrested.  

     You are required to complete a DWI Assessment before getting a limited driving privilege. A DWI Assessment before trial will give you another Mitigating Factor, possibly lowering the level of punishment. Our Driving While Impaired Assessment & Treatment Program in Raleigh NC is available evenings and weekends to fit your schedule.

Note:  You are free to select any agency in North Carolina that is licensed to provide DWI Assessments. First Step if fully licensed to provide everything you need. 

 It is your choice which licensed DWI agency does your assessment.  

     First Step provides substance abuse and mental health services in Raleigh, NC. The first things you might want to do  after your Driving While Impaired arrest is to get your DWI Assessment completed  and contact an attorney. This will make the rest of the process much easier. It will help you get your driving permit after 10 days during the "Civil Revocation" period. The "Civil Revocation" period is when they take your driver's license on the spot during your  arrest. 

  • First Step will make sure you have everything you need concerning your DWI assessment the day you come into our office. All you need to bring is your DWI ticket or Breathalyzer verification, a certified copy of your driving record, and your fee in cash or money order.
  • We will type a letter directly to your attorney, probation officer or others you need to inform while you are at the office. You will not have to come back to pick anything up. You will have the results of your assessment when you leave.

A DWI arrest can be a frustrating, embarrassing and very upsetting situation -- like your whole life has turned upside down. You might be very angry or feel totally powerless. 

First Step Services, LLC will provide you with all the information you need to get through the DWI requirements of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

DWI and Substance Abuse Groups & Classes

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires you to complete one of the levels of classes or groups. These are based on the outcome of your DWI Assessment and must be completed before you can get your license back. Starting these groups and classes before trial sometimes looks favorable in court. 

     At your trial, the Judge might ask if you have completed or at least started a treatment program or ADETS (Alcohol and Drug Education Traffic School). If you can not start the groups or classes before trial, get them started as soon as possible. You will be required to complete all groups or classes before the NC Division of  Motor Vehicles will give your license back. The groups or classes will take up to 90 days or longer if you have to miss one or two sessions. It will then take as long as 4-8 weeks for all your paperwork to clear the NC DMV. 

The process of completing your assessment, treatment and getting the 508 Form to clear at DMV can take as long as 4 - 5 months from beginning to end. All these requirements must be completed before your license can be restored. 

NC State law also requires you complete your DWI Assessment before you are given a Limited Driving Privilege. If you refused the Breathalyzer, you must have both the assessment and treatment completed before you can request a Limited Driving Privilege.

DON'T WAIT! 

Walk-in Services Available

First Step offers walk-in DWI Assessments and Substance Abuse Assessments. No appointment is necessary Monday and Wednesday between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM and 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM on Friday. Just bring all required paperwork such as Driving Record, Court Papers, Ticket, Breathalyzer verification, etc. 

You can get a letter for court or your attorney once the assessment is complete.

Protected material -- do not reprint without written permission

 

 
MISSION
The Mission of Henry Tarkington MSW, LCSW, CCAS, CCS and First Step Services, LLC is to provide quality alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mental health services to those who need them at a price they can afford.
DIRECTIONS

From Downtown Raleigh:

  • Start out going east on E Marin St toward S Wilmington St. 0.05 miles
  • Turn Left onto S Wilmington. 0.09 miles
  • Turn left onto E Hargett St. 0.21 miles
  • Turn Right onto S McDowell St/ NC-50 N/ US-401 N. Continue to follow US-401 N. 1.90 miles
  • Turn slight right onto ramp. 0.40 miles
  • Stay straight to go onto Wake Forest Rd. 1.15 miles
  • Turn left onto E SIX FORKS RD. 0.39 mile
  • From North Raleigh & Wake Forest Road:

  • Start out going south on Wake Forest Rd. toward Navaho Dr. 0.69 miles
  • Turn right onto E SIX FORKS RD. 0.39 miles
  • From North Raleigh and Six Forks Road:

  • Follow Six Forks Road south, inside the beltline (1/2 mile from the Beltline), past the Anderson Drive intersections.
  • 211 Six Forks is on the left side of the street. To enter into the office condominiums,
  • Turn left onto Plantation Road and take the first driveway on the left.
  • Building “B” is the first building on the right hand side. Suite 117 is on the first floor in the corner suite.

    Garner Location:

  • Take US 70 To Garner
  • Going east from Raleigh toward Garner, take a right on to Highway 50. From Clayton, take the Highway 50 exit, loop around and turn to the right.
  • Follow Highway 50 (Benson Road) for about 1/2 mile. 820 is on the right, beside the medical building at 800 Benson Road. Take the next driveway after passing the medical building. The parking lot is surrounded by the medical building parking lot.
  • From Fuquay Varina take Hwy 42 east and turn left onto Highway 50. 820-D is on the left side of the road, just before the medical building with the big "800" on the front.


  • Plenty of Free, Safe Parking
     

     

     


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