Drug Addicted Family Member?
Question by Blundt Cake: Drug addicted family member?
How do you help someone who refuses to help themselves, even when they are in/out of jail, homeless, jobless, in denial, and don’t think they have a problem???? What do you do? Especially if they call from jail saying they’re being beat up, and then when out on bail, they say they are sleeping on a park bench, wandering around, not eating?
But still say they don’t have a drug problem, they just need “help” (money, car, housing) and say they’ve only used drugs a few times in the last couple of months, like that’s a good thing.
(and this repeats year after year)
Best answer:
Answer by jay
Talk to a coucellor
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2 Responses to Drug Addicted Family Member?
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There is NO helping someone who doesn’t want to help themselves.That’s the ugly part about it.This person is in denial and until he/she is honest with him/herself, they will stay in that state of mind.
Do not become a enabler.Let them know that you will help them get into a drug program/rehab and change their lives if they wish but you will NOT supply shelter or money to them.
HOPEFULLY something in their head will click before its too late.At least thats what I am hoping with my family member.
good luck.
In most states, they have laws (in Florida, we call it the Marchman Act) where family members and close friends can have someone committed for psychiatric evaluation and/or drug treatment.
It works like this: At least one close family member (a parent, sibling or spouse) accompanied by at least 2 other witnesses visits the county courthouse and signs an affidavit testisfying to the fact that the person in question is a danger to themselves. The family pays the applicable court fees (this varies from $ 75 – $ 250 depending on the county).
Within 24 hours, a patrol car will pick up the person, and transfer them to a county-run psychiatric facility, where the person will be tested for drug use, and put through detox. The person is usually held for approximately 10 days, during which time they are evaluated by psychiatrists, and given the proper therapy and medication to stabilize them. Afterward, it’s often recommended that the person be remanded to an inpatient rehab program (again… this varies from state to state and by county).
If you truly feel this person has a psychiatric or drug problem, and is truly a danger to themselves, phone your county courthouse asap. Ask to speak with the department that handles committing someone for psychiatric evaluation. Once you’re speaking with the appropriate person, they will walk you through the process. I know it sounds harsh (having someone picked up and forcefully committed), but sometimes this is a last resort for a mentally ill person when the family is out of options. It can be a lifesaver. The doctors, therapists and nurses who work in these treatment facilities are pros when it comes to addiction and psychiatric disorders; they have the person’s well-being in mind.
Hopefully, this gives your family member a new start, and the resources to get well. I’ve seen it work before.
I wish you the best.