Substance Abuse Center: How to admit someone unwilling to go?
Written on October 21, 2009 – 7:09 am | by Drug Abuse Help
My mom in a substance abuser, and we are going to be getting her admitted to an inpatient facility. Is this difficult to do? From what I understand, if she is not willing to go, we have to go before a judge and prove she’s not capable of making this decision for herself… is this true?
chip193 said:
Oct 21, 09 at 1:41 amIt all depends on where you live, where she lives, and what kind of impact it has on her life.
If she is unwilling to go for help, then yes, it will involve the legal system. How the legal system gets involved will depend on the state you live in. In Massachusetts, for example, it is relatively easy to get the courts involved. Other places are not so easy.
Watch your Mom as, should she get an idea that you are going to have her placed for treatment, she may flee to another state. Yes, while this may sound a bit overboard for most, it is actually a common problem.
The question that the court will need to ask and answer is the impact that the addiction is having on her life. If there is minimal impact on life, then there will be no ordered treatment. If there is a serious impact, it will result in a long term treatment plan. So what makes a serious impact? If she is making poor decisions (such as using all her savings to obtain what she is addicted to) because of the addiction, has a serious health issue because of it, or is endangering herself (using the addictive agent then driving, etc.) or someone else (usually a minor child - such as not caring for the child properly).
Good luck with this. It is not an easy road.
Boca said:
Oct 21, 09 at 1:28 pmthey could put her on a 72 hour hold if the hospital feels she is a danger to herself or society
Keem said:
Oct 21, 09 at 6:04 pmput her to sleep
Laurie_H said:
Oct 21, 09 at 8:24 pmIf she is a danger to herself or others then she can be admitted for observation. If she isn’t then you have to talk to an attorney about legal measures.
Just so you know…..just because she’s admitted to a addiction center does NOT mean she is going to leave addiction free. If the patient is NOT willing to change then nothing will help. She has to be willing before ANYTHING will work. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink.