Can You Force Someone Into Rehab?

All states have laws regarding involuntary commitment.[18] However, the rules from one state to the next can vary dramatically.

Judges can use these laws to set appropriate sentences for the people in their courtrooms. However, it’s difficult for the average person to wield these laws and force someone to get care. You can try, but you’ll need a lot of outside help to force an adult into care.

Even in states that provide a path for families and loved ones to help someone struggling with addiction into treatment even if they are against it, there are many legal frameworks, ethical implications, and alternative approaches to consider first.

Minors & Rehab

Within the U.S., state laws regarding minors seeking rehab without parental consent vary considerably from state to state.[2-4] 

For example, Florida allows minors who meet certain conditions to access substance abuse treatment without parental consent if their health or safety is at stake due to substance use.

These laws usually prioritize the care and safety of the minor above other considerations. Once they reach the age of 18, they are legally able to choose rehab for themselves without the consent of their parents or any legal difficulties. 

How Can You Ensure Someone Goes to Rehab?

Guaranteeing someone attends rehabilitation through legal channels can be a complex and delicate process. Unless there are serious, evidence-based risks, the decision will ultimately lie with them alone. 

Before attempting to use the legal system to force someone into treatment, you may find that you have an easier time helping them choose the help they need through other methods that may be less damaging to the relationship. 

First, try to encourage their participation in treatment voluntarily by using strategies like these:[5-7]

Approach Them With Love & Support

Have an honest dialogue with your loved one regarding their substance abuse issues, conveying your worries while emphasizing the significance of seeking professional assistance. Make it clear that you will support them in their efforts to manage their SUD.

Come From an Educated Point of View

Providing your family members with accurate info regarding addiction, its consequences, and what rehabilitation entails may help them to understand its potential benefits on health, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Consult an Interventionist

This professional can help you craft the best approach for your loved one, and this may involve staging a formal intervention. An interventionist can guide the process, ensuring the message conveyed is one of love and concern rather than judgment or shame.

Narrow Treatment Choices

Pinpoint a couple of addiction treatment centers that would be a good fit for your loved one. If you provide some guidance on where they can go to get help, it removes barriers to treatment. An interventionist or addiction treatment professional will also be able to help with this. 

Offer Help With Logistics

Your loved one will need help with various aspects of securing treatment, such as assistance in navigating insurance coverage, childcare, or transportation to and from treatment. Be ready to make the process easier for them.

What Is Involuntary Commitment?

In some cases, you may be able to use involuntary commitment to force someone into rehab, but this is tough to do. Involuntary commitment is a legal process by which an individual may be forced to enter treatment for substance misuse or mental health against their will.[8]

The laws on involuntary commitment vary between states, but in general, these steps are involved: [11,12]

1. Gather proof. You must prove that the individual is a danger to themselves or others, they lack the ability to make decisions for themselves (oftentimes because their substance abuse has made them disabled, either physically or mentally), they are unable to fulfill their basic needs, or they have lost control of their life.[9-11]
   
2. Schedule an outside evaluation. For involuntary commitment to be approved, a mental health professional or other authority will examine the individual. Based on their findings, they will determine if there is a threat of self-harm or if the person poses a threat to others.
   
3. Attend a hearing. A petition and hearing will follow. In most states, people with substance use disorders are entitled to legal representation during this process, and they can appeal any decision a court makes.

Note that you’ll need a doctor, a lawyer, and a judge to force someone into rehab in this model. It’s not something you can do alone or in a hurry.

What State Laws Exist Regarding Involuntary Commitment?

State laws concerning involuntary rehab vary significantly. Anyone considering the process for their family member must understand the regulations and procedures specific to their state before getting started. 

Here are just a few laws that speak to the standards or provisions related to involuntary rehab in different states: 

Florida Marchman Act

This law allows for involuntary assessment and stabilization for people who pose risks to themselves or the public due to a substance use disorder.[13]

Massachusetts Section 35

Massachusetts has adopted Chapter 123, Section 35 into their general laws, a policy that permits involuntary commitment of those diagnosed with substance use disorders who present serious risks of harm to themselves or others.[14]

New York Mental Hygiene Law

Under Article 22 Title B of the New York  Mental Hygiene Law, some provisions enable courts to order substance abuse treatment for people who are considered dangerous due to their abuse of illicit substances.[15]

California Welfare and Institution Code

Under state law, certain criteria may allow for involuntary commitment of people with mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, when certain criteria are met.[16]

Which States Have Implemented Involuntary Commitment Laws?

All states have implemented involuntary commitment laws, but the specifics of the laws vary greatly between states.[17,18] 

Is It Effective to Force Someone Into Rehab?

Experts agree that involuntary addiction treatment can be effective.[19-20] While a person may initially resist treatment, they can still progress in care and come to appreciate that they were forced into treatment to begin with.

Involuntary rehabilitation is controversial. A person’s need for intervention and treatment is weighed against their autonomy to make that decision. The delicacy of this decision is why certain criteria must be met before a person can be forced into treatment, such as the person being a threat to themselves or others.[21-23] 

Since involuntary commitment isn’t a simple or quick process, the easier approach is to convince your loved one to seek help. Enlisting the help of interventionists and other addiction treatment professionals can aid this process, helping your loved one to voluntarily get the treatment they need.[24,25]

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions we hear most often about forcing someone into rehab: