Unfortunately, this isn’t always the way things go down. Many addicts refuse to admit to themselves or to others that they are, in fact, addicts. It is for this reason that legislators in Florida created the Marchman Act.
What is it?
There is no sure-fire way to convince an addict to get help. Interventions often prove unreliable, and if the substance abuser has not broken the law, there are few things his friends and family members can do…except wait. Wait until he operates a vehicle under the influence and puts his own life and the lives of others at risk. The Marchman Act can be used to force an addict into a rehab program, where he can get the help he so desperately needs.
How does it work?
It might sound new, but the truth is that more than a dozen U.S. states have laws on the books dealing with involuntary commitment for known addicts. Furthermore, some experts believe it is the only sure-fire way to help families get their loved ones the treatment they need before it’s too late.
Who can use it?
The Florida Marchman Act can be utilized by a spouse, a blood relative, or by three unrelated people who can attest to the patient’s problem with drug and/or alcohol. Forced drug rehab is often necessary when an addict refuses to admit he needs help. If the court finds that the person does indeed have a problem and that he is unwilling to seek help, it may order forced drug rehab.
Few addicts have the temerity to stand up in front of a judge and argue against their loved ones that they do not have a problem, which is why filing a request for forced drug rehab under the Florida Marchman Act is often enough. The person typically comes to his senses and agrees to enter a rehabilitation program in short order.
Orange County Marchman Act
As one of the top family law firms in Florida, Addiction Recovery Legal Services (ARLS) helps clients deal with family members who desperately need help with their addictions. They have used the Marchman Act to compel drug abuses and alcoholics to get the treatment they so desperately need, whether they want to or not.
