My brother is a cocaine addict. In the past eight months, he has overdosed and nearly died three separate times. He refuses to go to rehab, and I truly believe that he needs it. Is there any way that my parents can commit him involuntarily? We are all worried that eventually he is going to succeed at killing himself. The last time he nearly overdosed he got into a huge fight with my brothers and my father. He was totally out of control. He even bit my father several times. They ended up having to call the police to help them control him. The police took him to the hospital and there the doctors said that he could of died because he had a lot of cocaine in his system. The next day they put him in detox. The funny thing is that he did not remember what he had done the next day. By the way, he ended up getting charge by the cops who were supposed to helping for assault because he spit at an officer. He doesn't remember that either. He also got some other charges.
2007-08-18 12:22:54 · 11 answers · asked by Baby44 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
He is 20 years old and does still live at home. We have told my parents to stop babying him and getting him lawyers to get him out of the messes he gets himself into but they do not listen. He is the youngest out of five children.
2007-08-18 12:44:19 · update #1
Do not help defend him when he goes to court. Your father needs to press charges too.
If he is living at home and no longer a minor, then your parents need to have him removed. For their other children's safety.
Tell your parents to not pay for a lawyer or baby him through any court process. Jail time is sober time (hopefully)
2007-08-18 12:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by litecandles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs help badly ,The police can and should be notified of his addiction and the parents would have to explain they are afraid of your brother and that he may hurt some one or a danger to the community then the police could via a judge force him into rehab,
parents can commit him involuntarily but would have to prove that he is incapable of caring for himself or is a danger to the community
Yes this would put your brother into a serious situation with the authorities and could end up in a mental institute or prison but even this is better than him dead from drug abuse
There are good drug advice councillors around that have dealings with this type of problem all the time ,so look in the phone book for any local groups or talk to ministers, doctors etc
2007-08-18 12:51:57 · answer #2 · answered by kevinmccleanblack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"... he has overdosed and nearly died three separate times..."
" I truly believe that he needs it..."
You hit the nail on the head... He has a recent history of OD-ing, he has had charges filed against him for reckless behavior while under the influence of cocaine, and he beats up family members. He's obviously out of control and needs help. Whether he is open to receiving it is probably another topic.
I'm not an expert on this, but I know that a minor is a lot easier to force into rehabilitation than someone of the majority. It would probably take a court order for mandatory rehabilitation of an adult.
2007-08-18 13:26:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sad to say, but even if you could have him forced into rehab, it wouldn't work unless he wants to clean up his act. Don't enable him, but don't completely write him out of your life, either. There may come a time when he wants help and that's the time where you can do some good.
As for your parents, at some point they need to move on with their own lives. They need to get to that place on their own. At this point, you're right that he's not helped by them picking up all his messes, but he's their child. Turning their backs on him is extremely difficult. Try not to squeeze them on it. They're already under enough stress.
2007-08-18 12:52:37 · answer #4 · answered by Alex62 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can, with the aid of law enforcement or medical staff in the ER, petition the court for an order by which his rights are temporarily taken away and they can commit him to an institution. Sounds harsh, but it is based on the fact that he is considered by professionals to be a danger either to himself or others. In our state it is called "Title 47"; I am sure your state has something quite similar.
Also, he was charged with assault because he spit on the cop...well, that is assault and it is against the law.
2007-08-18 12:31:09 · answer #5 · answered by Honeyface 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your parents are enabling him by constantly bailing him out of trouble. He needs long term rehabilitation away from home.
2007-08-18 13:25:11 · answer #6 · answered by Pixie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow. this is a tough situation but, like they say, you can't do it, he has to want to stop on his own. does he live at home? it's hard but if he doesn't get himself straight, your folks may have to tell him to get clean or get out. i wish i had better things to say. god bless.
2007-08-18 12:29:02 · answer #7 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These numbers may prove useful...
Cocaine Hotline
1-800-COCAINE
Help for Cocaine Users
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Treatment Hotline
1-800-662-HELP
Help for Substance Abuse
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Treatment Referral Hotline
1-800-821-4357
Help for Drug Abuse
2007-08-18 13:03:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no offense but slap the mother f***a or take him to rehab or just talk to him ask whats good why are u doing this hommie and try to connect with him ya dig
2007-08-18 12:31:16 · answer #9 · answered by ya dig white girls 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe that your parents can do something if he is underaged.......
2007-08-18 12:27:17 · answer #10 · answered by amber 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋