Can You Force Someone Into Rehab?

In 2020, it was estimated that around 40 million Americans struggled with some form of substance abuse. Many of those people have loved ones who want them to get sober and live healthier lives. However, not everyone who struggles with substance addiction will want to get the treatment that they need to recover from addiction.

An option that many people have is involuntary rehab, which is when they force a person to go to rehab. But the legality of forcing a person into rehab can be difficult to navigate in the United States. But with Twilight Recovery in Mexico, getting a person into rehab whether they want to or not is a lot easier.

Is It Legal to Force Someone Into Rehab?

The legality of forcing someone into rehab is complicated. There are states in the United States that allow for involuntary addiction treatment to some extent.

Generally speaking, a court can force someone to go to rehab, given certain conditions are met. Those conditions typically occur if the person in question is a danger to themselves or to others. However, whether or not a person is a danger to themselves can be a difficult legal question to answer. If an addict is able to meet their basic needs, then a court may not see a need to compel them into treatment for alcohol or drug addiction.

This is markedly different if someone is under the age of 18. 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. Essentially, the states allow parents to force their children into inpatient treatment for substance abuse and mental health if that’s what they think is best.

In some cases, a person may be able to get legal conservatorship over another person. This gives them the power to make medical decisions for them, including addiction treatment.

Which States have Involuntary Commitment Laws?

Every state in the Union allows for some form of involuntary rehab for mental health issues or substance abuse treatment, especially if it’s in the interest of public safety.

Some of the most prominent state laws include Florida’s Marchman Act, which allows family members to petition the courts to force someone into a treatment program for alcohol or drug abuse. Casey’s Law in Kentucky is similar to the Marchman Act.

Kendra’s Law in New York allows for court-assisted outpatient mental health treatment, including treatment for substance use disorder. Ricky’s Law in Washington State also allows for the courts to involuntarily commit someone into treatment if they present a danger to themselves or to others.

Overall, while many states do allow for involuntary treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, and some even allow people to petition the courts, the process can be long and tedious, and by the time the courts make a decision, it may already be too late.

There are, however, countries such as Mexico wherein it’s legal to force someone into rehab for substance abuse, and many addiction treatment centers in the country have special programs designed to help people get their loved ones the treatment they need for substance use disorder.

Why Force Someone Into Addiction Treatment?

Other than being a danger to themselves or others, there are several reasons to get someone into rehab against their will. In some cases, a court may present drug and alcohol rehab as an alternative to going to jail. However, many people will have reasons that they may want to force a loved one into rehab treatment for drug or alcohol use.

Some people may see a loved one struggling with substance abuse and refusing to acknowledge the problem or get treatment. In cases like that, they may want to get into rehab for treatment.

In other cases, a person may not see how much their addiction affects them. Addiction can often impair a person’s judgment, an impairment which can prevent many people from understanding the extent of their addiction.

Another reason that someone may want to intervene when a loved one is struggling with addiction is because they feel obligated to do so. They feel that if they don’t do something, even something as drastic as forcing a person they love into detox and rehab, then they may one day find out that that loved one has overdosed.

What Are the Benefits of Involuntary Rehab?

Some people may feel uncomfortable with the idea of forcing a loved one to go to a rehab center for treatment. They may feel that it’s ethically dubious to make someone go into alcohol and drug rehab against their will and deprive them of the choice to seek treatment. Despite that, there are some benefits to involuntary inpatient rehab. These benefits include:

Structured Environment

One of the main reasons that a person goes into a rehab program against their will is if they become a danger to themselves or others. In a treatment center, a person is put into a controlled environment where there will be a professional care team that can ensure a person’s safety and get them the help they need to overcome drug or alcohol addiction.

Prevents Long-Term Damage

There are many ways that someone’s drug or alcohol use can affect them in the long term. For example, long-term alcohol abuse can result in irreversible liver damage and cocaine use can damage the septum, this can cause the nose to collapse, which will require surgery to correct. By forcing someone into treatment for their alcohol or drug use, they can potentially prevent them from suffering these long-term consequences.

Mental Health Treatment

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.

Improves Family Relationships

While many people may hold some degree of resentment towards their loved one for forcing them into rehab, many treatment centers have family programs to address this resentment and repair and even improve interpersonal relationships.

What Involuntary Rehab Treatment Is Like

For many people, being forced into rehab is not something that they want. Because of this, many people who are forced to stay in rehab for drug or alcohol addiction may be somewhat resistant to treatment. However, many do eventually engage with the treatment programs.

The actual treatment is no different than voluntary rehab. Patients will go through individual counseling, group therapy, activities that will help them develop the skills they need to manage their cravings, and any medications they take will be managed by the care team.

Come To Us to Get Help For a Loved One

It can be hard to watch a loved one struggle with substance abuse. You may feel powerless to do anything about it. The laws in the United States basically make it impossible for you to get your loved one the help that they need unless something truly terrible happens. 

But you’re not powerless. With our Lockdown Rehab service, we can help you get your loved one the help that they need to get better. Contact us now, and we can get started treating your loved one.

Understanding these triggers is crucial for developing strategies to prevent burnout, whether through individual efforts to manage stress or organizational changes to improve work conditions.