If your child struggles with addiction, it can be difficult to determine what to do. You might have had discussions with your child on treatment, but they resisted your pleas. If your child refuses treatment, there are still solutions to ensure that they receive the help they need and offer them the chance to attain sobriety.
For children who are below the age of 18 you can take off the rehab process involuntarily. Once your child is at least 18 years old, however, it becomes an even more challenging. Once they legally become an adult, you can’t make them go to treatment without having these factors in place:
You must establish that the individual has an addiction to drugs or alcohol>
The evidence must also prove that the person threatened, attempted or caused harm to them or anyone else.
The addiction has become so severe that they are in a position to not be able to provide the essential needs for them (such as shelter, food, or clothes) and there is not any other adult willing to do so
With these factors put in place, you’re able to pursue a medical emergency or a court-ordered rehab. Every state has its own qualifications, however, which is why it is important to get legal counsel before attempting these options.
What States can you use to get to get someone into Rehab?
In the present, there are 37 states, including California, that will allow you to force someone into rehabilitation if they meet a specific list of requirements. The requirements for this are aligned with the same requirements as any court-ordered rehab above.
Based on the state the state is in, a person could be detained from the duration of 48 hours to 15 days prior to the hearing scheduled for. In certain states, an uninvoluntary commitment of two weeks is established and, if the individual is deemed able to care independently outside of the facility, they are released to outpatient treatment. Failure to comply with the outpatient treatment could result in them being re-enrolled in the program of inpatient therapy.
How do you convince someone to Go to Rehab
There are numerous options when it comes to getting your child into rehabilitation. If your child isn’t willing to accept assistance at first, there are ways to help them become more open to treatments. You may choose to go through forced rehab options or an intervention in order to provide individuals with the chance to take on help for themselves. Rehabilitation is more effective when a person becomes willing to receive help and takes active steps to achieve sobriety. Whichever method you chooseto pursue, placing your child in an environment where they are able to examine their situation without the influence of drugs and alcohol is a vital step to take in the process of recovery.
Court-Ordered Drug Rehab
A court-ordered rehab isn’t the most efficient option but it’s an alternative. It is difficult to do for many reasons. Your child may feel betrayed or angry at the decision to turn them in which will be unavoidable. You must also seek legal counsel before pursuing this in order to ensure that a court-ordered rehabilitation program is completed. Qualifications vary from state-to-state and it is essential to seek guidance beforehand.
In the majority of cases an application form is filled out indicating the need for rehab
This will then be submitted to a judge for review
Hearings will be scheduled after which you have to make a case
Your child will also be given the chance to present their case
If a decision is taken after which your child will be placed in custody to enter treatment
Emergency Hospitalization
The emergency hospitalization is an option if your child requires urgent care due to substance abuse. A medical emergency is typically ascribed when a person is suffering from physical and/or mental health problems caused by the abuse. Treatment may begin as soon as the hospitalization process before moving into an addiction treatment center.
Upon entering the hospital, the child is evaluated by mental health and addiction specialists to determine the severity of their illness. Alongside receiving treatment, they’ll be taken into custody to undergo screenings and may be evaluated by an officer of the police as well.
Much like court-ordered rehab you’ll have to provide a written statement to an official judge explaining the reason your child requires treatment
A hearing will be held to assess the situation and determine the best way to proceed to commit someone into rehab.
Intervention
An intervention can also be an option if any of the alternatives above seem too much for your child to handle. The advantage of an intervention over the other options is that it allows for the discussion to begin with your child. It also gives children the opportunity to receive assistance instead of being made to accept it.
You are able to hold an intervention yourself, but consulting an interventionist can to make the process easier. By discussing your situation with an expert, suggestions are made regarding whom to invite, what to say, and where to hold the intervention. Then, you can prepare yourself by practicing ahead of time and preparing for any possible negative outcomes.
Most often, with an intervention, an ultimatum has to be given. This usually falls under the rule that if treatment is refused, consequences will be imposed. This could include not giving financial support, not longer allowing them to reside with you, or another methods of cutting off assistance that could allow for continued usage. While this can be difficult, it is vital to assist your child to recognize the need for assistance.
What’s the most effective course of Intervention if your child refuses Rehab?
If your child does not want to go to treatment and you have the chance to force them to undergo treatment It is advised to proceed with that option. In many instances addicts may refuse help several times before accepting the treatment (if it is even offered) and it is not uncommon to struggle with this. Even if your child experiences anger or feels a sense of betrayal, receiving treatment for addiction is crucial.
There is a lot of concern about the idea that forcing someone to attend rehab could result in it becoming less effective, however this isn’t the case. In fact, forced rehab could be a great motivator in helping someone recognize their need to seek treatment. It can serve as a wakeup call and trigger the change you’re seeking.
It is likely that rehab, whether it’s either voluntary or not, might fail, and it is dependent on the individual. Helping a person achieve the mental clarity free of the effects of mind-altering and mood-altering substances can assist them in understanding the need for treatment. Even if forced rehab fails this puts them in a situation where they need to think about their options and assess their situation, which is the first and most important step.