If I check into a mental hospital, do I need to call my probation officer?

Question

OKAY, this is alot of crap rolled into one question. I was arrested for possession of meth in April of 2005. I quit doing meth in November of 2006. I was put on defered probation for 2 years in March of 2006. After one year of sobriety I relapsed in a bad way. To make it worse, I had never had to take a UA until (surprise!) the day after my relapse! I drank about 65 ounces of water, but I don't think that is enough to dilute it (so it would buy me more time and I could do another one) so I know I will fail. However, before my relapse I was having some mental problems, panic attacks, hearing voices etc etc (yes! after one year of sobriety!) and so I was thinking about checking myself into a mental hospital. If I do that, will they get me out to take me to jail if my probation is revoked? Do I need to notify or get permission before I admit myself? Should I wait until my next P.O. appointment and see what he says? I know I need help, I'm just not sure where to start. Thanks!

I quit doing meth in November 2005, not 2006 Typo!

Answer 1

Ok, I am a PO and I say look at your court orders. If you need to notify your PO of change of address, DO IT. Also, the water was a really bad idea. There is a catch for that in our court and most that I am aware of. He/she knows you were using, suck it up. The meth causes hallucinations, etc. I doubt if you can get into a mental hospital based on that, unless there is history prior to use, or it is a dual diagnosis hospital. Should have taken the deal as a gift and gotten clean and stayed clean. Get that monkey off your back and go to rehab now. OSAS (Office of Substance Abuse Services) monies came in October, so there should be enough money for you to get into rehab now. Talk to your PO.

Answer 2

YES, you DO have to tell your Parole Officer, especially when you are in the hospital and will be in there for some time for treatment -- and if you have relapsed and did do more substances, drinking water is NOT going to solve the problem of having a POSITIVE Test -- which means you REALLY SCREWED UP the GIFT you had -- which was to stay clean and sober.

NOW ... you are going to have to deal with the consequences -- and (most likely) the court will NOT be as lenient this time when you go in front of it for sentencing and/or the possible revocation of your parole.

ASK for Rehab -- the funds are available, it is the beginning of the fiscal year, and you DO need to STICK to REHAB and STAY CLEAN once and for all -- get that nasty Habit OFF your back and do NOT go back no matter how life gets hard.

and ... by the way -- life can be VERY DIFFICULT -- but there are so many millions who deal with those difficulties every day who do NOT use substances or avoid the consequences and responsibilities. They work hard and OVERCOME through the HARD WORK that they do and the income they earn.

Answer 3

without even reading your question is full i can tell you that if you are going to miss appointments with the officer because your in the hosp. then you should make them aware of where you are.
you need only provide proof that your in a hospitial not the reason .
there can be a good many reason that a person does check into a mental health unit of the hospitail some of which would be seen as a good thing by the probation deptartment .

Answer 4

I don't know where you are, or what their policies are there, but, as a probation/parole officer, I would suggest that you just be honest. The jails and prisons are full all over the country, and I don't think that it is likely that you will be locked up if you are trying to quit.
If you do check yourself in somewhere, it would be best to notify your officer.

Answer 5

Yes...I would leave word with PO.
But I think it might be better if Hospital people did it....if possible.
I have never had to deal with PO's.
But if you are having symptons you take it to medical people.
Can't see how having to "clear" it with not qualified to diagnose psychiatric conditions parole officer is required......
my rule of thumb:
If you think you need to be in Psychiatric facility....you probably do.

Answer 6

This sounds just like what I had, lack of interest, feeling of emptiness, like no one loves you, you cry frequently- severe depression and anxiety. I had it for two years, you flunk most assignments because you don't have the drive to do it anymore. You've got depression- symbalta can help. I'm just messing around dont take any anti-depressants, it'll hurt you more, find a hobby I stopped singing i got depressed so now I sing on a daily basis. I started pottery, and surrounded my life with friends, with being openly honest with everyone, I'd say "by the way I have severe depression, anxiety, and intense claustrophobia so don't do anything your brain tells you not to do" they thought I was just being funny- I wasnt but anyway, it made me feel a bit better, I indulged in stuff i loved like chocolate, tea, coffee's from around the world, I sight-saw, went places, meditation is a cure too, for me I pray sometimes more like every so often, anyway, I loved music so I had every radio on in the house, even the music channel for my cable provider, crazy right? Yeah, after that I noticed how beautiful life is, that as long as your happy nothing else matters I was bullied for my weight, it still takes a toll on me to this day, but, i dont let it get to me, I cut before but it was worse i used a screw driver, and tools, i only did that for a short period since I was so self-conscious, the scars were going to be horrific. But just indulge in what you love, that way you will find yourself, when your depressed you think to much your saying to much to yourself, the key of any therapy is to not speak these things to yourself but to others, now I have three best friends, i call when i need support, they are all i need. One of them is myself, i know who i am, no matter what thats what you need to know, who you are. It's hard to see through those eyes who only see negativity, or sadness, or the downfalls- i cant blame you life is filled with them- but dont loose your head over it. Don't allow those people the benefit to see you checked into a mental institution becaause of your anti-socialism hay, i was once like that until I forced myself to talk to myself, it was okay. Now I'm fine, and you are too, i want you to know I will pray for you Christian or Muslim or Jewish or simply nothing, one person cares- i do. Sometimes you need that bit of pep in your step to come alive- dont go there, it may benefit a bit, but once people go they are in and out just because they think they are crazy for needing to go to an institution. You have to conquer this yourself to rid yourself of this pain.

Answer 7

I would reccomend that u talk to your P.O. and see what they say so you won't be in any trouble. I think that as long as you are upfront with him everything should be ok. Talk to him first and see what they tell you to do. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 8

I would, you know how they are. Or get into rehab and have them call or a loved one. At least they will see that you are trying to get help.

Answer 9

yup, tell him/her. if you are serious about getting help, they need to know where you are at all times. good luck.