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Anyone who has experienced the turmoil created by drug addiction, whether it is their own struggle or that of a loved one, has asked the question, "Can an addict be forced into a Rehab program?"  Legally, the answer is no, provided that no other crimes have been committed, it is illegal to physically force someone to get the help that they may desperately need.  But this does not leave friends and families without hope.  It is called the Intervention.

Substance abuse can be a complex or a very simple subject, depending on who you talk to.  It seems very obvious to most of us when we see it, but any closer examination will reveal that there are indeed multiple variations that lead very quickly into complexity.  We'll look at some very general definitions of substance abuse so we can get a sense of what some of the generally accepted notions really are.  This should help open up some ideas about treatment and help for those who fall into the category of abusers.

In New York, the requirements for rehabilitation, or rehab, are the same as anywhere else in the U.S.  If there is a legal requirement for rehab, the courts will be very specific about the types that can meet this option.  However, for most of the cases, and most of the instances where rehab is required, they are referring to a short-term program.  Under the umbrella term of rehabilitation, there are a few possibilities that will fit with the definition.  We'll have a look at these, as well as discussing the short-term programs, in order to understand what drug rehabilitation is.

One of the major concerns with drug and alcohol treatment centers is their overall effectiveness. Another major concern is whether or not your loved one who is suffering from an addiction will actually enter and remain in the chosen treatment facility. And finally, one of the other top concerns with residential substance abuse treatment programs is how much they are going to cost and how you are going to pay for it.

Family members are frequently the ones who try to initiate treatment for substance abuse and they are also the ones who are most affected by the addict’s behavior at both an emotional and frequently financial level. Many of these family members have been lied to, disappointed and even stolen from by the addict and they are usually at their wits end when they try and persuade the addict to seek treatment. One of their frequently asked questions is how to get the addict admitted to a treatment center if they don’t want to go.

A parent may file a verified petition with the juvenile court in the county the child resides for involuntary drug and alcohol treatment only if the child is incapable of consenting; or refuses to consent to voluntary treatment. The verified petition needs to include an affidavit from a psychiatrist, a physician, or a psychologist with training in drug and alcohol assessment and treatment, who has examined or treated the child not more than 30 days of the filing of the verified petition.