how to get someone admitted to drug rehab?

Question

young adult male, crack addiction, using needles also, paranoid mood swings, irrational thinking, has been to the ER multiple times for 'physical' symptoms, however no one will admit him despite having been told that he has threatened to use drugs to o.d and commit suicide. ER docs say he has to request admission, but since he is self destructive and has fried his brain, I don't believe he is capable of making good clear decisions, hello?!

Answer 1

Unless he states that he is suicidal to an authority figure, or ends up in the ER for an attempted suicide, then there's not much you can do. A person has to be a threat to either themselves or someone else to be committed to a psych facility. And with a drug problem, most facilities are wary of taking such patients.

You can't make the decision for him, unless you are his medical power of attorney, and you have proven to the court that he cannot make rational decisions concerning his health.

Sorry. Perhaps you could take him to the ER, and tell them that he has threatened to kill YOU. If a plan is mentioned (hanging, shooting, stabbing, etc.) you are much more likely to be taken seriously.

Answer 2

If the person is unwilling to voluntarily enter rehab, it is almost impossible. A judge would have to declare the person incompetent and a threat to self and community.

The best shot is to get the person detoxed in the ER, then have friends and family try to respectfully and lovingly convince the person to enter a residential dual-diagnosis treatment program. The longer the rehab, the better chance for long-term wellness.

Most addicted people suffer from mental-illness and need treatment for both issues at the same time. Otherwise, they tend to relapse.

Hope this helps.

TD

Answer 3

Yes, but legally their hands are tied. . .unless he actually winds up in the ER from an attempted suicide. If you are in the US, you need to find out about the Baker Act. They "Baker-Acted" my nephew and forced him into the hospital for observation for 3 days after he drank a whole bottle of cough medicine. Legally you can do it via the Baker Act but I don't know what the conditions are that have to be met . . . a threat to yourself or society? Anyway hope this helps.

Answer 4

It is sad, but a person does have to enter rehab on their own. He has got to want help and he will have to stay on his own. I don't know where you are from, but maybe you could get someone from one of the churches to talk to him and get him to enter Rehab. We have some wonderful people at out church that help people in this situation. I will be praying for the both of you.