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.