Forced Drug Rehabilitation May Be an Option for Your Loved One

When people think of drug addiction, they often think of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, or alcohol. However, addiction to prescription painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs accounts for around 40% of drug-related deaths. People tend to think of these drugs as somehow safer since they can be obtained legally, but they can cause addiction and death. At Addiction Recovery Legal Services, we know how to help you get your loved one into court ordered drug rehabilitation, whatever his or her drug of choice.

Deaths from Prescription Drugs

An ordinary person can visit a doctor for a common problem such as back pain and obtain a prescription for painkillers. Addiction can take hold quickly, and mixing painkillers with alcohol can easily be deadly. Accidental overdoses happen on average every 19 minutes in the United States, and are a leading cause of accidental death.

Who Can Petition for Court-Ordered Treatment?

Many addicts are in denial about their addiction or fear withdrawal symptoms, so they rarely commit to rehab on their own. A relative or three non-relatives who each have personal knowledge of a person's addiction can petition the court for forced drug treatment. Court ordered drug rehabilitation begins with the judge's order for stabilization and assessment, followed by 60 days of rehab if deemed necessary.

What Happens if the Patient Leaves Treatment?

When a patient who has been ordered into forced drug treatment leaves treatment early or doesn't go to rehab in the first place, the consequences can be a return to treatment, being taken to treatment by law enforcement, or being placed under arrest. These consequences often make the difference in getting a person into addiction treatment and keeping them there the full 60 days.

What's the Best Way to Ensure a Loved One Gets the Help They Need?

Your county court clerk's office is one place to start if you believe someone you love requires court ordered drug treatment. You may also contact us here at Addiction Recovery Legal Services, and we can speak with you about your options. We have the experience necessary to help addicts in denial get into drug treatment to maximize their chances of regaining physical and mental health.