In this case, you have complete autonomy over whether you attend addiction and drug rehab programs – unless the involuntary treatment act is called into question. For these reasons, it’s worth considering other options first before going to court, such as planning an intervention or approaching your loved one differently. For drug or alcohol treatment to be effective, it must treat the individual as a whole and address all mental health and physical issues. No matter what, it’s ultimately up to the individual whether or not they want to gain control of their how to get a family member into rehab health and embark on a journey toward recovery. Also, mandatory treatment programs are typically short-term and do not provide the time needed to recover from an addiction.
States With Involuntary Commitment Laws
Relatives and mental health practitioners can file a petition for an assessment. There is also a provision that any three adults with knowledge of the person’s substance abuse can file. If the assessment is for a minor, the only people who can file a petition are parents, legal guardians, and a licensed service provider. In addition to drug and alcohol treatment, a person who is suffering from addiction may also have mental health problems. By being forced into treatment, a person can get the help that they need to address their mental health concerns and overcome addiction at the same time. Kendra’s Law in New York allows for court-assisted outpatient mental health treatment, including treatment for substance use disorder.
- Currently, 37 states in the U.S. have such laws for addiction treatment.
- However, when your loved one takes the first step towards recovery, they are considerably more likely to take the second and third steps.
- In certain cases—especially if they meet the criteria for involuntary commitment—it may be possible.
- In addition to receiving treatment, they will be taken into custody to undergo screenings and may be evaluated by a police officer as well.
- Proper preparation will make the difficult journey to recovery just a little bit easier.
What Are the Legal and Ethical Issues?
After giving concrete evidence of the severity of the addiction, bring up a possible treatment plan. While an intervention does not force a person to go to rehab, it may help them to see the situation more clearly and to better understand their options. It can be heartbreaking to watch a loved one struggle with substance abuse, whether they drink too much, abuse prescription medications or take illicit drugs like cocaine and heroin. Eventually, you realize your loved one needs professional treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD), be it a voluntary or involuntary rehab. If a person is still a minor, then their parent or legal guardian does have the right to make decisions for them, including where and if they get treatment.
How to Recognise an Addiction
There are other ways a person can be involuntarily committed, including through the recommendation of a mental health professional or emergency medical practitioner. No matter how one gets to rehab, whether through complete autonomy, thoughtful intervention, or involuntary commitment, the kind of rehab a person ends up in makes all the difference. If you’re asking how to get someone into rehab, you may be wondering about the difference between an intervention and involuntary commitment. While both approaches involve helping someone enter treatment, they differ in their methods. Outpatient care is convenient for those who cannot commit to residential rehab due to work commitments or childcare duty. It often involves a certain number of sessions each week at a private rehab clinic.
Inpatient Treatment
Drug addiction intervention can also be tried as a tool to send a person to rehab without their initial willingness. Another option involves holding an intervention, which is typically the last step used before seeking an involuntary commitment. An intervention is designed to open up the possibility of the affected individual deciding to enter a rehab program.
- The Missouri Civil involuntary Detention law gives authority to request forced rehab for an individual under certain extreme conditions.
- Whether it is alcohol, substance abuse, or both, its overdose has created problems for many individuals, their families, and loved ones.
- The best course of action you can take now before attempting an involuntary commitment is to help your loved one seek treatment on their own.
- An option that many people have is involuntary rehab, which is when they force a person to go to rehab.
- The purpose of this writ is to have a court establish whether the person has been legally detained.
It’s difficult to anticipate how a loved one will react towards the idea of rehab, which can cause anxiety, stress, and even guilt. But above all, remember that encouraging someone drug addiction treatment struggling to get help will likely lead to a positive—and possibly life-saving—change. Our blog post on “Leaving Rehab Against Medical Advice” provides a more in-depth exploration of this topic. It’s about getting you the help and support needed to overcome addiction.
After some careful thought, you may conclude that your family is trying to help you. Hospital rehabilitation centre for 28-Day Withdrawal & Detox Program. None of it means your family member does not love you, and addiction is still treatable. Finally, host an intervention in which you can lay down these ultimatums and lovingly express your concern for your loved one. An intervention should, above all, be a safe, un-blaming, love-filled gathering with people who want to help. In the United States, most other states have an equivalent to the Baker’s Act, though the terms and process vary wildly between them.
Do you know how to get someone to go to rehab or get medical help with opioid addiction without involuntary commitment?
While the commitment may start with an involuntary stay, how long they stay in rehab can ultimately depend on their progress and the professional evaluation of their readiness for release. Even if they are not actively engaging in treatment, the goal is always to help them reach a level of stability where they can make informed decisions about their recovery. When a loved one is struggling with addiction, the desire to help them overcome their substance use disorder can be overwhelming. Once drugs and alcohol have been eliminated from the system, the person will be ready to begin intensive psychological treatment.