Involuntarly commiting a family member to substance abuse programs without involving the law?

Published June 30, 2010

Question by Just me: Involuntarly commiting a family member to substance abuse programs without involving the law?
We are having issues with a member of our family addicted to prescription drugs. This is very servere and has been gettin gworse for about 6 years. We need to get him help ASAP, but he won’t want to go. Does anyone know if we can take him somewhere that they will make him stay or can they leave whenever they want? I’ve heard that a hopital will make him stay until we sign him out, is this true? Or do we have to involve the law to have that happen? Thanks in advance.

Best answer:

Answer by alicia b
no facility can legally keep him against his will without an order from the law and those are hard to enforce. sad but true

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