In many cases, it takes a major wake up call, in the form of a life-threatening event for an addict to realize that they have gone too close to the edge and have become a danger to themselves and possibly others through their habit.
It is also frustrating for a parent to have to watch their child go through severe addiction and yet vehemently refuse medical help. Being caught at a crossroad, which is to allow your child to make the call themselves or to take matters into your own hands, is a position that no parent wants to find themselves, however, there are ways to get someone to go into rehab against their will.
Sometimes an addict may look for reasons not to seek treatment or think that they are in control of their addiction, this is always false as addictions are extremely difficult to manage and even more difficult to admit because of the shame.
Parents may find that cutting off their addicted teenager’s allowances may not be enough to get them to agree to rehabilitation. This is because they probably have peers who also indulge in these vices and could act as suppliers of the drug.
If you are sourcing for how to get your teenager into rehab against their will then this means that you have tried the traditional heart-to-heart talk, showed support, and even tried to make them feel comfortable talking about their addiction and it has all failed. The next step is to save their lives, even against their own will.
Can a Person be Forced into Rehab?
Yes, they can, but there are conditions to this. If the person in question is under the age of 18, then he or she can be taken involuntarily into rehab. If the person is older than 18 years then this is not possible because the individual is by law, an adult, and old enough to make their own decisions.
The good news is, there are other factors that may give you the authority to force the individual into rehab without their consent. Some of these factors include:
- You must have valid proof that the individual has a severe case of substance addiction
- You must also be able to prove that the individual has become a threat to themselves and to others physically, due to their addiction.
- You must prove that the person’s addiction to drugs and alcohol has become so critical that they are unable to cater for themselves on a basic level. This means that they are unable to provide shelter, food, clothing, and other things for themselves. Additionally, there is no one willing and able to take up this responsibility.
With these factors in place, a person can be made to go into rehabilitation without their consent. While it is important to get your loved one into rehab to save their life, it is also imperative to note that rehabilitation is only effective when the individual is willing to cooperate, accept help, and take active steps to ensure complete healing. Here are some specific methods that one could use to get their loved one into rehab against their will.
Drug Rehab by Court Order
A court order is one of the paths that most parents or guardians would rather not result in going after. However, a certain degree of misdemeanor and behavioral problems may lead to this option. It is advisable to seek legal counsel before venturing into this path as there are qualifications required which may vary from one state to the other. The addict may feel betrayed, emotionally hurt, and may result in all forms of behavior so it is best to be prepared for this. How does the court-ordered drug rehab facilitation work?
- A form will usually be filled out soliciting for rehab
- The form will be reviewed by a judge
- A hearing will be held, where you will be required to state your case
- The addict will be given the opportunity to plead their own case as well
- If your case is granted, the addict will be transferred into the custody of a specialized treatment center
Hospital Emergency
If an addict is hospitalized for substance abuse in an emergency, the parents or guardian can get permission for an emergency-ordered rehab. This is generally issued when an addict experiences a physical and mental health breakdown due to substance abuse.
The treatment begins at the hospital and when the addict is stabilized, they are then transferred to a rehabilitation facility. This technique is probably not the best to wait for, but if it does happen, it can present you with a quick opportunity to seek intensive care and rehabilitation for your loved one. How does it work?
You, as the parent, guardian, would have to fill out a form that will be submitted to a judge for review. This form would state the condition of the addict and why he or she needs treatment. A hearing will be held to assess the severity of the case and then determine the next line of action.
Staging an Intervention
Staging an intervention is more conventional than the others due to its flexibility. It opens doorways to conversations and suggestions from other friends relatives and others that also play a valuable role in the life of the addict. The advantage of an intervention is that you can stage it yourself with close friends and loved ones; however, it is more likely to be successful with the help of a professional interventionist who would manage communications and provide guidance to ensure that the intervention does not escalate into a quarrel.
The typical intervention has to first be rehearsed with all stakeholders and on the day of the intervention, an ultimatum has to be issued to the addict. This of course should come as a last resort if the help being offered is refused. An ultimatum may consist of various clauses such as:
- Moving out of the house if the addict refuses help
- Turning the addict over to the law
- Cutting off financial support
- Stopping any form of favors
While it is difficult to go through with any of these ultimatums as a guardian, it is a step that must be taken in order to bring about a change. If the addict feels like you would never be able to go through with the ultimatum they would stand their ground refusing help.
What to Do If your Loved One Refuses Rehab
The bare truth about addicts is that they generally rarely accept help. In most cases, they try to keep their addiction as secret as possible. The addiction only goes public when a meticulous guardian discovers paraphernalia of drugs in the house, or perhaps an event occurs that reveals drug use and or addiction.
With all this in mind, should you force a loved one into rehab against their will? Yes, absolutely! The reason is that an addict has little or no control over their cravings and actions, they are likely to end up with various health issues or overdose, leading to death. Even if the addict feels betrayed, or is provoked by your actions and your suggestions, it is better safe to do everything in your power to ensure the safety of your loved one than to live with regrets.
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