Legal Options by State for Helping Adult Addicts

The feeling of powerlessness is perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of addiction for the family and friends who are forced to passively watch their loved one follow a self-destructive path.  One of the first questions that relatives ask is whether they can force someone to enter a treatment program against their wishes.  The answer depends on the age of the addict and the state in which they live.  Minors usually represent a special case, and parents often have more options than do spouses, children, and other relatives of adult addicts.  In the case of adults, some states only allow for involuntarily mental health (not necessarily addiction) treatment in instances when a person threatens harm to himself and/or others; otherwise the addict is legally entitled to make decisions about his or her behavior, even if this means making poor or unhealthy choices.  Other states, like Florida, allow family, friends, and others who may have firsthand knowledge of a person’s addiction to a substance to present their case to a judge; this may lead to a legal mandate for the person to get help for a predetermined period.  In addition to helping an addict, relatives may be able to obtain custody of children who are being abused or neglected as the result of a parent’s addiction. To learn more about possible options in your state, consult the articles below.  Please keep in mind, however, that the exact nature of your situation should be discussed with an attorney to make sure that you obtain comprehensive and up to date information.