July 28, 2010 admin 7 comments

Question by Signed Anonymous: How do you get someone in Drug rehab if they don’t want help?
PLEASE I need answers, what are some things I can do to help some one I know who is on drugs but doesn’t want HELP at all. Can we force him (Family member) into some type of drug rehab or interventio? PLease any answers or tips ….This is life and death I need your help!

Best answer:

Answer by Joy
You can try an intervention, but if they don’t want help you can’t make them. I know it can be heartbreaking but sometimes people just have to hit a rockbottom point before they want help. Good Luck with everything.

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REHAB TOPICS dont, drug, help, rehab, someone, they, want

Comments

Written by neil_mcslick about 1 month ago.

I guess it depends on your area, but I think if you talk to local police you might eventually be able to get a court order, but in the end forcing someone into drug rehab won’t change them. It all comes down to the person wanting to change. And if he doesn’t want to change, than all hope is lost.
Written by Freefromall about 1 month ago.

You can do an intervention, but short of turning him/her in so he/she gets busted with drugs, he/she will resist because they don’t think they have a problem.
If the person threatens suicide or violence you can 302 them, which is have them committed to a mental hospital where they MUST stay until they get help, especially if they aren’t 18.If they are over 18 then there is little you can do except throw them out so they can get a clue that what they are doing to themselves and others will be more noticeable.
Written by The mom about 1 month ago.

Unfortunately, no, there isn’t a lot you can do if the person is an adult. As a family, you may be able to work with a crisis intervention person and confront them as a group, perhaps even twist the arm to get them into a facility. The problem is that unless they are remanded to treatment by the court, you can’t force them to stay there. Even with a court remanded admission, you can’t force them to cooperate. It’s certainly a heartbreaking situation when you have a family member who does need help and doesn’t see the need. The next best thing is to get the rest of the family help, so you can have support and learn ways to cope with the person, even ways not to support them in the habit. Most cities will have several groups that can fit the bill, NarAnon is one. Check with social services in your area to find out how to contact a support group. Unfortunately, for the person who needs the help, they also must want the help. It doesn’t sound like that applies in your case, so the next best thing is to help the family.
Written by redbeardthegiant about 1 month ago.

Much depends on their age and arrest record. Also I suppose on what drug.

I am hoping you know what the word ‘enabling’ means in this context. Find their enablers and make them stop.

I was told by a director of an alcohol rehab clinic that people who didn’t want to be there [were sent by a court as an alternative to jail] usually did not stay sober, but relapsed as soon as they were out.

How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb ?
Only one, but the light bulb has to want to change.
Written by Cam S about 1 month ago.

Nope. You can’t do anything. The tough love philosophy doesn’t work. It usually takes a couple trips to the ER or jail to make it clear to the state / local authorities that the person is a habitual offender.

If you haven’t seen the film “When a man loves a woman”, check it out. Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia star in it. It’s a fairly virtual tale of my life w/ my wife. It took a few trips to the ER.

She’s a bit better now after a couple trips to detox and rehab.

Addicts are addicts after awhile. There are parts of the brain that just can’t be repaired. I know that’s bad news, but it’s true.
Written by Hannah? about 1 month ago.

You can’t make someone get help if they don’t want it. The first step (this is actually the first step in the 12 Step program for Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous) is for the person to realize that they have a problem, an addiction, and have a desire to recover. Ask your loved one this: Do they want to stop using drugs not necessarily forever, but for today? It’s all about taking it day by day. That’s how they can recover. If he or she wants to stop using FOR TODAY, then bring them to a rehab to get them help.
Written by William B about 1 month ago.

The answer is a hard one to listen to. If he does not want help or doesn’t believe he has a problem, there is nothing you can do. The only thing that might work is to talk with him calmly and non-threateningly. Tell him that not only is he hurting and possibly killing himself, he is hurting the ones who truly love him. Tell him that you are willing to stand by him and support him if he goes through rehab. And when he is released from rehab you will still be there for him always. He can call you anytime for any reason.

I really wish my idea works. But from what I have seen only about 1 out of 10 who don’t want rehab go. And then only 1 of 10 dry out. Sorry for being blunt.