How to Get Someone Into Rehab

Watching a loved one who struggles with drug or alcohol addiction can feel like being trapped in a nightmare. You see their health fading, and the person you once knew has completely changed. If you’re here reading this, you’re probably asking one important question: how do you get a loved one into rehab?

Although it’s not an easy question and there’s no absolute answer, with your empathy and support, you can help a friend or a family member take their first step toward recovery.

Whether they’re dealing with alcohol use, drug addiction, or even dual diagnoses, guiding them to the right addiction treatment center like Twilight Recovery can make a big difference.

What is a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Program?

A drug and alcohol rehab program is more than a place where your loved one is encouraged to stop using substances; it offers a structured and supportive environment where they’ll undergo medical detox, receive individual and group therapies, and ultimately begin their recovery journey with the help of addiction experts.

In a rehab program, the treatment they’ll undergo varies depending on their specific needs. For instance, it can involve residential treatment where they would stay full-time at a rehab facility to receive 24/7 care. On the other hand, they can also undergo outpatient treatment where they live at home while attending regular therapy sessions. In addition, some rehab centers specialize in treating co-occurring conditions such as addiction and mental health.

Regardless of the program, the primary goal of the rehab is to help someone break free from the grip of drug and alcohol addiction and build a sober life.

How to Get Someone Into Rehab?

If you’re wondering how to get someone into rehab, our experts here from Twilight Recovery list some of the things you can do to help them begin their journey to recovery:

Understand What They’re Going Through

Before you can help them, it’s important for you to understand that addiction is not just simply a behavior because it’s a medical condition known as Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Many people use substances as a form of a coping mechanism to mask their emotional pain. However, this can rewire their brain and bodies, which eventually makes it difficult for them to stop without professional help.

Educating yourself about the signs of addiction, such as intense cravings, isolation, mood swings, loss of interest in daily activities, and health problems, can help you approach them with compassion instead of frustration. 

Choose the Right Time to Talk

When we deal with someone with an addiction, timing is crucial. Don’t try to have a serious conversation with them when they’re under the influence or in a heated moment. Wait until they’re sober or at least calm, and when both of you have privacy.

In addition, you need to speak gently with them, and a simple statement such as I care about you, and you’re worried about your situation can open a meaningful dialogue without making them feel judged or attacked.

Prepare What You Want to Say

The words you’re going to say and the conversation you’ll be having with them can stir up a lot of emotions, so it’s helpful that you think through what you want to express. Let them know that their behavior is affecting them and your relationship. You can also seek the help of a professional interventionist if you feel like you need additional assistance in speaking to your family member. 

Instead of saying that they’re ruining everything, it’s more appropriate that you tell them that you’ve noticed that they’ve changed and you’re missing the person they used to be.

Offer Emotional Support

If your friend or family member is battling addiction, they often carry deep shame and fear, so your consistent support, even just offering to make calls or sit with them while they explore treatment options, can also make a big difference.

Furthermore, if they’re open to entering rehab, you can research treatment centers together and offer to visit with them. Just knowing someone is willing to walk beside them can give them the courage to go to rehab and get help.

Have Your Rehab Options Ready

As mentioned, you need to research trusted rehab centers ahead of time. You can start by comparing inpatient or outpatient care, find out what insurance is accepted, and check if medical detox is needed. Generally, having your information ready can make the decision easier and less overwhelming for your loved one.

Stay Involved During Rehab

When they enter a treatment program, know that it isn’t the end but just the beginning of recovery. Hence, you are encouraged to stay engaged with them. If visitation is allowed, do it as frequently as possible, and you can also join family therapy sessions if needed. It’s important to note that your involvement is essential to accelerate their treatment progress.

Take Care of Yourself

Supporting someone through addiction recovery can take a serious toll on your physical and mental health, too. You may feel exhausted, guilty, and sometimes helpless, so don’t forget to take care of yourself. It’s recommended that you join a support group, talk to a therapist, or lean on your trusted friends.

Helping someone doesn’t mean sacrificing your own well-being. Remember that staying healthy yourself makes you a more stable source of support for them.

The Admissions Process

The admissions process might feel overwhelming at first, especially when emotions are high and time feels critical. After the initial phone call or inquiry, a trained admissions specialist will typically walk you through a confidential pre-assessment. This helps determine the nature of the addiction, any co-occurring mental health conditions, and whether a medical detox is needed. 

From there, the team builds a customized treatment plan and answers questions about insurance, length of stay, and what to expect. It’s less about red tape and more about understanding how to help your loved one take that crucial first step toward recovery.

How to Find the Right Rehab Program?

Finding the right rehab isn’t about picking the first name that comes up on Google, it’s about matching the program to the person. Consider your loved one’s specific challenges: Do they need detox? Is 24/7 care necessary, or would an outpatient program offer enough support? Are mental health issues like anxiety, PTSD, or depression also involved? 

A good facility will offer personalized assessments to guide families toward the best fit. And don’t underestimate the power of comfort. Sometimes, a setting that feels safe, warm, and human can make all the difference in someone’s willingness to show up and stay. 

Call, ask questions, and trust your instincts. The right program should not only treat addiction but restore dignity and hope along the way.

Can You Force Someone Into Rehab?

In some situations, it’s possible to have someone admitted to rehab without their consent, particularly if their substance use poses dangers to themselves or others. While voluntary treatment is often more effective, legal options do exist for families who feel that all other efforts have failed.  

What Is the Process for Involuntary Commitment?

As mentioned, forcing someone into rehab is legally possible, but only under specific conditions. This process is known as involuntary commitment, which may be initiated if a person’s substance use puts their safety or the safety of others at risk.

When this happens, the family members or professionals can request a court-ordered assessment. If the court agrees, the patient may be admitted to treatment even against their will. However, it’s important to note that the process is complex and it varies by state or country. 

Does Involuntary Commitment Work?

Involuntary commitment may still offer help, especially when it’s followed by ongoing support. Initial resistance is common, but they can begin to engage once they feel physically stable and emotionally supported.

It’s essential to note that long-term success is more likely when the care is comprehensive, the environment is therapeutic, and the individual gradually takes ownership of their recovery.

Benefits of Getting Into Rehab

Entering rehab can offer a wide range of benefits. First, it removes your loved one from the environment and routines that feed their addiction. Inside a treatment facility, they can safely detox, explore therapies, develop coping skills, and rediscover who they are without substances.

In addition, there’s also structure in a rehab where they follow daily routines and receive round-the-clock care from professionals. Part of the rehab program is to teach them life skills and coping strategies to manage stress and rebuild relationships.

How Effective Is Rehab For Substance Abuse?

Although the success of rehab programs is dependent on various factors such as commitment to treatment, quality of program, and support system, these addiction treatments are generally effective.

Studies suggest that those who complete a full treatment program and engage in follow-up care are more likely to achieve recovery and maintain sobriety. Although setbacks may happen, a relapse doesn’t mean failure, as it’s considered part of the drug abuse recovery process.

Addiction Treatment Options

Some of the most commonly used addiction treatments may include the following:

Detox

Detox is often the first and most critical step in any addiction treatment plan. It helps your loved one’s body to safely eliminate harmful substances while managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision. This medical detox is essential for substances like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, to name a few, where withdrawal can be dangerous and life-threatening without professional care.

Residential Treatment

Also known as inpatient treatment, residential programs involve living full-time at a rehab facility. Its immersive environment removes your loved one from their daily triggers and allows them to fully concentrate on their healing. It often includes therapy sessions, medical support, and structured routines, which are ideal for those with moderate to severe drug or alcohol addiction or even for those who don’t have a stable or sober environment.

Therapies

Therapy is at the heart of every successful rehab program. It helps them understand the underlying causes of their substance abuse problem, develop healthier coping strategies, and rebuild their self-worth. Many treatment centers offer a combination of evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and group and family therapies. In addition, holistic options like mindfulness, art therapy, and yoga are also common.

Aftercare

Recovery doesn’t end when rehab does. An aftercare program is a crucial phase that supports your loved one as they transition back into daily life. This may include continued therapies, 12-step programs, or sober living homes.

An aftercare plan helps reduce the risk of relapse and keeps your loved one connected to the resources that support their long-term recovery.

Help Your Loved One to Go to Rehab

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to say something and encourage your loved one, this is the perfect time. You don’t need permission to step in and help someone you love find a way back to themselves.

Whether it’s your family member, a partner, or a friend who’s struggling with addiction, your words might be the lifeline they didn’t know they needed. Your willingness to act might be the reason they walk into a treatment center and finally begin again.

We’re here to help you and your loved one seek help, find hope, and move forward.