Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Does Court Ordered Addiction Rehab Work?

There are no guarantees, but often court ordered drug treatment works when all other options fail. That's because a person sent to treatment under the Florida Marchman Act faces the possibility of incarceration if he or she leaves treatment early or does not go to treatment. For some people, the threat of jail is the only thing that gets them to go to rehab.

Can I Get Help Filing a Marchman Act Petition?

You are advised to work with an attorney experienced in Marchman Act cases if at all possible. Not only can such an attorney streamline the process, potentially getting help for your loved one more quickly, an attorney knows what kinds of mistakes individuals tend to make when filing a petition and how to avoid those mistakes.

What if My Loved One Doesn't Complete Court Ordered Addiction Rehab?

If your loved one goes to rehab but leaves before the 60-day program is over, he or she can be arrested and taken to jail or back to rehab. Under the Marchman Act, he or she cannot simply leave treatment and go home. The fact that the Marchman Act imposes serious consequences makes it more likely to work with addicts who are resistant to going into treatment.

I Am Not a Relative. Can I get Addiction Help for My Friend?

Non-relatives may invoke the Marchman Act. Any three people with firsthand knowledge of a person's substance abuse may together file a Marchman Act petition. It is not uncommon for those with severe addictions to have no known family, and that is why the Act makes provisions for non-relatives to make a petition on behalf of a loved one.

What if No Beds Are Available in My County?

If an addict does not have insurance or the money for a private treatment program, the Marchman Act process can be delayed. Government-funded programs often have waiting lists. An attorney with Marchman Act experience can enforce compliance by the addict to the rules of the government-run program while he or she awaits an available bed. Unfortunately, any delay in treatment can adversely affect the chances for success.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Common Questions About Broward Court Ordered Addiction Treatment Program

There are four ways involuntary admission can be ordered under the Broward County Marchman Act Admissions procedures. They are:


           ·          Through being taken into protective custody by law enforcement

           ·          Emergency admission to a facility after admission is certified by a physician

           ·          Involuntary admission of a minor by the guardian of the minor

           ·          Assignment to a court ordered addiction treatment program by a judge
When assessment by a qualified professional in accordance with one of these situations shows admission criteria are met, an involuntary treatment petition can be filed with the court.

Can a Police Officer Take an Addict to Jail Without Arresting Him or Her?

A law enforcement officer can detain an adult for the person's own protection in a jail or other detention facility, though this detention is not considered an arrest, and no record of the detention is made as long as the person has not been charged with a crime. The person in charge of the detention facility has to notify the nearest detox service provider within eight hours and must arrange for transportation of the detainee to the facility. The detainee must be medically evaluated within 72 hours.

How Do I Invoke the Broward County Marchman Act in a Medical Emergency?

If your loved one experiences a life-threatening medical emergency due to overdose, withdrawal or other addiction-related problem, it is first handled as a medical emergency. Once the person is stabilized and can be transferred for the purpose of addiction treatment, the Marchman Act may be invoked if the person refuses treatment. You would file your petition in Broward County Circuit Court.

Filing a Marchman Act Petition Seems Complicated. Is Help Available?

Hiring an attorney with experience in Broward court ordered addiction treatment filings is a good idea. Procedures must be followed exactly, and sometimes the loved ones of an addict, who are generally under tremendous stress due to the situation, make mistakes. A technical mistake can derail the entire Marchman Act process. Hiring an experienced attorney can help streamline the process and ensure that all steps are followed to get your loved one the help that he or she needs.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Employ the Marchman Act When Needed

To see someone you love suffering with an addiction can be one of the most tragic things to endure. You can try to reason with them or schedule an intervention, but sometimes when they are so consumed by their addiction, there is simply no way for them to see that things can change. Luckily, if you want to help, the Marchman Act is available in certain circumstances. This program can change or even save the life of an addict.

What is the Marchman Act?

The Florida Marchman Act is a mechanism that makes way for someone who is suffering from an addiction to be legally forced to participate in rehab.  This rehab is monitored by the court and usually includes long term treatment care. It gives loved ones a way to get the addicted person the help they need, whether they want it or not.

Who Can Enforce the Marchman Act?

If you are the addicts’s spouse or relative you can file to have the Marchman Act put into effect for your loved one.   In addition, if there are three adults that have personal knowledge of the substance abuse, they can come together and file. In the case of a minor, it’s necessary that the minor’s parents or legal guardians is the one to file.

Do You Need Proof?

If you want to force someone into rehab, you must be able to show the courts that the person has lost self-control in relation to their substance abuse. You need to prove that they cannot control their urges and are a danger to themselves and others.  It should be stressed that while it’s important for them to get help, they are unwilling to do so voluntarily. You must demonstrate that they cannot currently make any rational decisions regarding getting treatment for their addictions.

Overcoming an addiction is hard, but it can be done with the right treatment and support.  By employing the Florida Marchman Act, you can make it easier for someone you love to change their life, become a better person and get rid of the addiction that could potentially harm them or others. They may initially be upset or angry with you but they will in time realize you have helped them reclaim their life.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Court Ordered Addiction Rehab Can Change Your Life

Unfortunately, some people become addicted to drugs and alcohol and aren’t able to see the drastic effect these substances have on their life—and the lives of those people around them. Alcohol and drugs can negatively affect the relationships with their family, friends and significant others. It can also ruin their work relationships as well as land them in trouble with the law. When someone’s life is out of control due to addition, they find themselves involved in court ordered addiction rehab.  In many cases, this type of treatment may be the best thing that  happens to addict, because it can allow them get a fresh start and finally overcome their addiction. There are two main types of treatments used, one is administered in a facility and the other is outpatient care.

The 12 Step Program

This program consists of 12 steps that need to be taken by an addict before they are considered to be sufficiently helped to begin their life as a new, non-addicted person. After an addict has completed the program, they are given the tools to continue to attend meetings and work to keep their addiction at bay. This program may work for those addicts who are dealing with involuntary alcohol addiction treatment because they are forced to participate in meetings and talk to others about why they drink and how they can find other outlets instead of alcohol. If used correctly, this type of treatment can be very successful.

Inpatient Care

Another option for care is inpatient treatment. The addict who has been ordered to court ordered addiction rehab will go to a rehab facility for approximately thirty days. It may end up being longer, depending on how severe their case is and how they are after those thirty days. These thirty days revolve around showing the addicted person how they can change their life to not include alcohol or drugs and how to practice abstinence. At times, if necessary, medicine may be administered to help control urges or to detox their bodies.

No matter what type of treatment you choose, making sure to attend your involuntary alcohol addiction treatment and participate fully is imperative to your recovery. Being forced to deal with your problem can be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Do You Need Marchman Act Help?

The Marchman Act provides tools for families and friends dealing with a loved one who has substance abuse issues. Under the provisions of the act, friends or family members can take concrete steps to protect an individual who is incapable of making care decisions due to his or her use of alcohol or drugs. The Marchman Act allows concerned individuals to petition the court for an order to compel the individual to enter into court-ordered assessment and treatment of his or her substance abuse issues.

What You Need to Know About the Marchman Act
If you have a family member, friend or loved one who has lost control of his life because of his addiction to drugs or alcohol, you may be able to use the provisions of the Marchman Act to compel him to seek and adhere to treatment. The Marchman Act empowers a judge to impose court-ordered addiction rehab and treatment services under the threat of serious penalties if the individual ordered to attend assessment and rehab services fails to comply with the court order.

Who Can File a Marchman Act Petition?
If the person with the substance abuse problem is a child, the petition for services may be filed by a parent, a legal guardian or a licensed service provider. If the individual is an adult, the following people can petition for court-ordered addiction rehab services: a spouse, a guardian, any relative, a private practitioner, a director of a licensed service provider or designee or any three adults with personal knowledge of the individual’s substance abuse.

What Do I Need for a Marchman Act Petition?
You’ll have to appear in person at the clerk’s office to file an affidavit and petition for assessment and treatment, and will have to present information about the person’s behavior, identification and location. If you need help assembling the information you need and writing an affidavit, there are a number of lawyers and organizations that can provide assistance.

The Marchman Act provides the tool many families need to get help for a family member or loved one who has become a danger to himself and/or the community. You don’t have to stand by helplessly and watch. There are people out there who can help you get the help you need.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Is Court-Ordered Alcohol Addiction Assessment the Right Move?

There are few things more difficult in life than watching a loved one destroy him or herself through alcohol and drug addiction. If you live in Florida, there is something you can do. The Marchman Act provides the means for a family member to compel a substance abuser to get a court-orderedalcohol addiction assessment, the first step on the road to recovery. Is legal intervention the right next move for your loved one? This information about the Florida Marchman Act can help you make a decision.

The Florida Marchman Act
The Marchman Act allows friends or family members of a substance abuser to petition to court to obtain a court-ordered assessment, stabilization and long term treatment for substance abuse. It can help those who have no self-control over their substance abuse, who cannot make rational decisions about their own care and who have because a danger to themselves and others. The Marchman Act provides a tool for parents, brothers, sisters and other family members who can’t stand by and watch loved ones destroy their lives and the lives of those around them. It is the tool of last resort to help those who refuse to voluntarily enter into treatment for substance abuse.

Help with Marchman Act Court Ordered Alcohol Addiction Assessment
Making the decision to seek a court-ordered alcohol/addiction assessment is not an easy thing to do. There is paperwork to file, evidence that must be presented and follow up services to oversee. In Palm Beach County, Marchman Act attorneys can help you make a Marchman Act application and ensure that everything from the initial assessment to final disposition is carried out in full compliance with the law. The right attorneys can help you with every aspect of the Marchman Act compliance, as well as assist your family with finding appropriate and affordable treatment options.

Don’t sit by and watch your loved one slide further down the slope to self-destruction. Contact a Palm Beach County Marchman Act attorney to help you access the tools provided by law. A court-ordered alcohol addiction assessment and treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction can be the first step on the road to recovery.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

How Dade County Marchman Act Filings Proceed

If you're considering initiating a Dade County Marchman Act proceeding, you are not required to have an attorney, but it is better if you do. The respondent - the person you are trying to help - has the right to an attorney, and may be assigned a court-appointed attorney if he or she cannot afford one. Additionally, an attorney can legally expedite hearings, which can be critical when the respondent is in imminent danger or is an immediate danger to others.

Assessment and Treatment Recommendation

The first step of the Marchman Act process is the filing of a request for the respondent to be evaluated and sent for stabilization and detox. The court reviews the petition and will issue a court order if assessment and stabilization is deemed necessary. The respondent will either be ordered to report immediately to a pre-determined facility for stabilization and assessment or will be delivered there by law enforcement.

If Treatment is Court Ordered

After assessment and stabilization, the provider of the stabilization treatment will make a recommendation to the court. If treatment is deemed necessary, it is generally intensive outpatient treatment or residential drug abuse treatment. The court will decide whether or not to order the respondent to comply with the recommendation. If so, treatment will be ordered for at least 60 days.

If the Respondent Leaves Treatment Prematurely

When the respondent is non-compliant, either by leaving inpatient treatment or failing to report to outpatient treatment, a Rule to Show Cause can be filed with the court. The judge will hold a hearing, and if the Rule to Show Cause is proven, the judge will generally give the respondent one more opportunity to comply. If the respondent fails to comply, he or she can be found in civil contempt and may be incarcerated until they are ready to resume treatment.

Court Ordered Alcohol Abuse Assessment Can Save Lives

It is not easy to go through the process of sending a loved one to court ordered alcohol abuse assessment, but the legal process is designed to protect everyone's rights, and in some cases, this option is the only way to get a person into treatment.

 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Get Help With the Marchman Act

Everyone goes through a rough time in their life and sometimes they do not know when they need help. If your friend or family member is dealing with substance abuse they could be in grave danger. It is your responsibility to try and help them, which is why there is a Florida Marchman Act put in place.

What is the Marchman Act?

The Marchman Act is when a court temporarily holds an individual so they can be evaluated for substance abuse and subsequent treatment. They can also be treated to emergency services if they need it. The Broward County Marchman Act can either be on a voluntary or involuntary basis.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Florida Marchman Act Admissions

Sometimes a person knows when they have hit rock bottom and need help. That is when they seek help and wish to enter treatment for their substance abuse, whether it is for drugs or alcohol. Involuntary is when friends or family witness a loved one harming themselves or planning to harm themselves because of the effect drugs or alcohol has had on them. The family needs to step in when that person cannot take care of themselves.

Who Can File an Involuntary Broward County Marchman Act?

• Any relative of the suspected substance abuser
• Law enforcement officer
• A private practitioner
• Three responsible adults who have private, reliable information about the person’s substance abuse
• In the case of a minor it can be the minor's parent, legal guardian, legal custodian or licensed service provider.

How Long Can Someone Be Held?

A person who is held for involuntary assessment and detention can be kept in custody for up to five days. If you are in voluntarily there is not limit because it is your choice to enter, so you can leave when you want.

If you suspect a friend or family member of being a substance abuser or a danger to others or themselves, it is your duty to get them help. Take advantage of the Florida Marchman Act. It is in place to help people get past these troubling problems and heal.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions About the Florida Marchman Act

For families dealing with substance abuse issues, one of the most difficult problems is getting the addict to seek help voluntarily. Interventions can sometimes be helpful, but in many cases, the addict has no motivation to stop his or her harmful behavior. The Florida Marchman Act provides an avenue to substance abuse treatment through court-ordered drug rehabilitation for those who will not seek drug rehabilitation and substance abuse services on their own. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Florida Marchman Act to help families decide whether it’s an avenue they want to pursue.

What is the Marchman Act?

Technically speaking, the Florida Marchman Act is a civil confidential involuntary commitment state. In layman’s language, it’s a law that helps families get drug-addicted loved ones into detox, intervention, stabilization or long term substance abuse treatment when they won’t seek help voluntarily.

Do I Have to Be a Family Member to Use the Marchman Act?

No. The law can be invoked by a spouse, blood relative or by any three people who have direct knowledge of the person’s substance abuse. Many addicts have left family behind or have no family connections at all. The law provides a way for concerned friends, co-workers and others with knowledge of the addict’s substance abuse to get involved and get help for him.

What is the Process Like to Use the Florida Marchman Act to Get Court Ordered Drug Rehabilitation?

First, you have to be able to demonstrate that the person has no self-control with respect to the substance abuse and that he or she is likely to inflict damage to himself or to others without treatment. You must also show that the addict is unable to make a rational decision regarding substance abuse treatment and care. Finally, you must show that the addict is unwilling to enter into substance abuse treatment voluntarily.

You start the process by filling out and filing paperwork requesting a hearing under the Marchman Act. The clerk will set a hearing before the court after the Petition for Involuntary Assessment and Stabilization is filed. If the judge agrees, the person will be held for up to five days in order to medically stabilize their condition and assess their situation. At the end of that period, the treatment center will make a recommendation to the court.

After that, you must file a Petition for Treatment with the court and get a second hearing to review the recommendation and assessment. At that hearing, the judge can order a 60-day treatment with a potential 90-day extension. If the addict refuses to comply with the court ordered drug rehabilitation, he can be charged with violating a civil order and incarcerated.

For more information on whether the Florida Marchman Act is the right course of action in your situation, contact a Florida attorney who specializes in dealing with cases involving substance abuse.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Court Ordered Treatment Can Help Addicts Recover

Addiction is a horrible disease, often made more horrible by the fact that families feel that they can do nothing for their loved ones when they are facing this disease. Yes, they are sick, but because technically it’s something that they are doing to themselves, they can’t be forced into a hospital or a center in order to get better. It’s frustrating to have to sit back and realize that your loved one has to gain the strength to do it on his or her own, and that it may never happen.

Court Ordered Treatment

In Florida though, fortunately families have the Marchman Act to help them. This is a way for family members to help people that refuse to see their addiction and who have lost all self-control over it, as well as those who are a danger to themselves or to others. The Marchman Act is a way to get your loved one into a court ordered addiction rehabilitation program.

Addicts Must Stay Sober

The great thing about this law is that it sometimes requires addicts to get help. Once an addict is told that they have to participate in a court ordered addiction rehabilitation program, they cannot refuse the help. And they must stay sober and clean, or the court will punish the individual. It is important that the addict stays in rehab and stays sober, and if so he or she will not be in trouble from the court.

Emergency Orders Can Be Given

Sometimes a hearing isn’t even necessary to get an addict to rehab. If the addict is showing behavior that will result in danger to themselves or others, family members can call and have an emergency order to get the person to a rehab facility.

Call For Help With Addiction

Addiction is a very difficult disease that is hard to overcome, and that can tear apart families. Now though, family members of people fighting addiction have some tools on their side to help force their loved one into treatment in order to save their life. If you have a family member that needs help, don’t hesitate to call an attorney who understands the system.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

What to Do When an Addict Won’t Go Into Treatment

When you have a family member or a friend who has an addiction problem, it can be one of the hardest things to deal with. For many addicts, denial is a huge issue. They don’t want to accept the fact that they have a problem so they won’t, or can’t, quit and they keep self-destructing.

The Marchman Act Gives Family Members More Options

Many family members of addicts feel that they simply don’t have options. But thanks to the Florida Marchman Act, family members of addicts in Florida can do something. Family members and friends can confidentially petition the court to intervene on behalf of their loved one who is struggling with addiction. With court ordered addiction treatment, addicts can get the help that they need even if they don’t necessarily understand that they need the help.

Court Ordered Treatment

In certain instances, addicts can receive court ordered alcohol abuse intervention when family members contact the courts to receive help. When someone loses control over their substance abuse and can’t make rational decisions about their care or when they are a danger to themselves and others and refuse to enter a voluntary treatment center, the courts may decide to intervene. With the Marchman Act, families contact the court via an experienced attorney and ask the court to give the addict court ordered addiction treatment to help them with their problem. The addict always has a choice in the matter, but they won’t be allowed to continue acting out their addiction. The goal of the program is to promote sobriety with court ordered alcohol abuse intervention.

Get Addicts the Help That They Need

The point of the Marchman Act is to get addicts the help that they need, even if they don’t believe that they need it. It saves people from being a danger to themselves and others, and it provides a way for family members and friends of addicts to help their loved ones in a time when they can’t take care of themselves.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Top 3 Reasons to Consider Court Ordered Drug Rehab

No one wants to think about sending a loved one into forced rehab, but sometimes it’s just necessary. But the law is very cautious about this arrangement and requires that there has to be a good reason to consider forced rehab. In other words, it's not something that's ordered lightly. But there are some good reasons to consider court ordered drug rehab for someone struggling with addiction. Here are three.

They Are a Danger to Themselves

It's easy to think that everyone who uses narcotics or abusing alcohol is a danger to themselves, but in order for the courts to intervene, it must be evident. For example, if an addict is homeless, injures themselves, or drinks and drives regularly, the courts may consider them a threat to themselves or others. In these types of situations, the courts may intervene.

They Are a Danger to Others

The Florida Marchman Act, which dictates when someone has to go to rehab as ordered by the courts, deals with those addicts that are a danger to others. Drinking and driving is one such problem, as is becoming violent to others or their children. These types of behaviors are signs that rehab is in order, and for the protection of others, the courts may order just that.

As an Alternative to Prison Time

In some cases the Florida Marchman Act may allow an addict to choose rehab over prison time if their criminal acts can be tied to their addiction. It will be up to the courts to decide, although an attorney may request this choice in some cases. The person who has been ordered to rehab will have certain requirements laid out for them and will face punishment from the court if they miss rehab, fail drug tests, or don’t meet the other stated requirements.

If you're interested in court ordered drug rehab for someone you know, you should speak to an attorney to find out if it would be applicable in your case. They can explain your options and advise you whether or not a petition would be advisable.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

How Does Court Ordered Cocaine Abuse Treatment Work?


If you have a friend or family member that has a narcotic problem, you may wonder how court ordered cocaine abuse treatment works. It would be nice to think that a court can put this person in rehab and force them through treatment, and in some cases that may be true, but it doesn't always work that way. A person needs to be the right candidate for such an order before it is made by the court, and there are many factors the courts take into consideration. Before you assume that this is the best choice for your family member, consider the following.

Requirements for Consideration

Using cocaine doesn't actually qualify a person for court-ordered treatment. While cocaine use is illegal, a person caught using it or that has used it in the past isn't going to automatically be put in treatment. The person must be to the point where they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves or are a danger to themselves and to others. This is one of the first requirements for court ordered cocaine abuse treatment.

Assessment

Whenever a case arises regarding a court ordered rehab, the person will need to be put through an assessment by a neutral third party. This assessment will take into consideration the level of their addiction, as well as their ability to care for themselves. Recreational drug users are not automatically going to be candidates for court ordered addiction treatment, and this assessment will determine the extent of their abuse and their mental state overall.

This means that someone who has used cocaine or other narcotics for recreational purposes or who occasionally smokes marijuana is not necessarily going to be sent to rehab by the courts. However, if they do have a serious problem and have become dangerous, there is help available. The courts can force them into rehab and monitor their progress while there. If you feel your family member has a serious problem with drug addiction, you would do well to speak to an attorney about court ordered addiction treatment.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

How Does Court Ordered Addiction Treatment Work?



If you have a friend or family member who abuses drugs or alcohol to the point where they may no longer be responsible for themselves, you may have the option of court ordered addiction treatment for them. This is not an option to be taken lightly and doesn’t always work the way people assume. It's good to know something about it before you consider this option.

Extent of Abuse

The extent of abuse is going to be considered before anyone goes through forced drug rehab. Someone that drinks too much or that even uses illegal narcotics is not necessarily a candidate for this program. Their abuse needs to be extensive enough so that it interferes with their ability to make their own decisions. They may be a danger to themselves or to others. Anyone that may be a candidate for forced drug rehab will go through an assessment before the court puts them into rehab, and this assessment will include the extent of their abuse. If you're close to this person, you may want to keep note of incidents that make you believe they may be a danger, such as outbursts, abuse toward children, and physical abuse toward themselves such as cutting, driving drunk or otherwise putting themselves and others in danger.

Their Participation

The Florida Marchman Act also takes into consideration their participation and ability to make rational decisions for themselves. Someone may drink too much but still be able to hold down a job, or they may know better than to drive while drunk. If they can still think rationally and function to a certain extent, this may mean they are not a candidate for court ordered addiction treatment.

No one should assume that this means their friend or family member is not a candidate for rehab under the Florida Marchman Act. It's always good to speak to an attorney that specializes in these cases so he or she can advise you in detail as to how it may apply to your case and what can be done from there.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

How Does Involuntary Addiction Assessment Work?



While it would be nice to think that someone dealing with drug or alcohol addiction would seek treatment on their own, it doesn't always happen. Family members can seek forced alcohol rehab or drug addiction treatment for someone, but there are certain limitations to this provision by the law and it's good to understand how it works before it's even considered in a family.

What Addictions Are Addressed

Friends and family of addicts know that illegal narcotics and alcohol are not the only substances to which a person becomes addicted and can become a danger. A person may petition for involuntary addiction assessment for a friend or family member that abuses prescription medication including OxyContin, Xanax, Valium, Vicodin, and other such prescribed medication.

When Addictions Are Addressed

Someone who drinks too much or uses illegal narcotics may not qualify for involuntary addiction assessment simply because of these habits alone. While using narcotics is illegal, the courts do not intervene because of use alone. To qualify, they would need to have lost control over their substance abuse, not be able to make rational decisions regarding their care, have become a danger to themselves or others, and refuse to enter into treatment voluntarily.

How it Works

You would need to speak to an attorney that is knowledgeable about forced drug rehabilitation in order to seek a court order for your friend or family member. They will petition the court on your behalf, but it’s done in confidence—you’ll be able to remain anonymous if you choose. An assessment will be performed, and if the court orders it, the abuser would need to go through forced alcohol rehab or drug treatment in order to avoid sanctions from the court. Once treatment is over they would need to continue long-term treatment and tests.

Choosing forced drug rehabilitation or alcohol treatment for your friend or family member is not pleasant, but in many cases it means saving someone's life. The laws are there to protect people, as well as their families, so it's best to take advantage of them if you know someone with a serious abuse problem.

Friday, January 13, 2012



Some parents unfortunately ignore the signs of substance abuse in teenagers or assume their child would never use drugs. They may also downplay the danger of drugs used by teenagers today, thinking that very dangerous narcotics such as cocaine or methamphetamines would never be available in their neighborhood. This is all very shortsighted thinking and can mean tragic results for the entire family.






Warning Signs






Unfortunately the signs of substance abuse in teenagers aren't always obvious and in some cases, typically teen behavior can mimic that of those who are using narcotics. It's not unusual for teens to pull away from their parents, to be secretive or to rebel, or to go through depressed moods. This is part of adolescence. However, parents should be very aware of the degree to which these may be happening in their teen's life. They should also be aware of extreme changes, acting out, violent tendencies, stealing money, and being secretive about their friends. These are all warning signs that the teen may be hiding something very dangerous from the parents including the use of narcotics.






What to Do






If you feel your child is using drugs, you can have them go through a home drug test. In some cases you can also have them go through a court ordered cocaine abuse treatment if they are using cocaine, and if their behavior warrants such as program. A court ordered addiction rehab program is something decided upon by a judge who weighs the person's behavior, their risk to themselves and other factors, and then makes it mandatory for that person to attend rehab. Remember that you cannot decide that your child will go through a court ordered addiction rehab program on your own. You can however contact a lawyer that specializes in substance abuse in friends and family members and speak to them about a court ordered cocaine abuse treatment or other treatment for your child. He or she can advise you on your legal rights and responsibilities as a parent so you can ensure your child gets all the help he or she needs.