In some cases, alcohol or drug addiction can become significant enough that the justice system gets involved.
There can be a number of reasons for this, and the process may vary from one state to the next.
These are not easy decisions to make or easy paths to walk with your loved one. Odds are, if you’re reading this, you’re likely in an extremely difficult situation.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how court-ordered drug or alcohol rehab works so you can better understand your options.
What Is Court-Ordered Rehab?
Court-ordered rehab is when a court mandates that someone attend a treatment facility for drug or alcohol abuse. Typically this comes as part of a criminal sentence if the person’s substance abuse is tied to a crime they committed–as long as the crime was nonviolent.
The court may offer rehab as an alternative to incarceration. Attending rehab may also be a way to reduce the length of incarceration or probation.
There are also situations in which court-ordered rehab is not connected to criminal activity. In these cases, it’s a civil case rather than a criminal case. For instance, if you believe a loved one is a danger to themselves or others due to their substance abuse, you could pursue court-ordered rehab to get them into rehab–even if it’s against their will.
Can You Court-Order Someone to Rehab?
Most states have some type of involuntary rehabilitation law, allowing family members to admit their loved one to rehab without their permission. In some locations, people beyond immediate family can also file this kind of petition.
The exact process for this will vary from state to state, but–understandably–courts have a very high standard of evidence required before they will order someone to attend rehab.
You should also expect this process to take some time, with multiple steps and court appearances along the way.
Since involuntary rehab laws vary depending on the state, we recommend consulting with an attorney in your area who can help you determine if this is a step you should consider.
Who Pays for Court-Ordered Rehab?
You may be wondering–if the court orders the rehab, who has to pay for it?
Most insurance plans cover alcohol and drug rehab, but you will likely need to prove that it’s medically necessary to ensure coverage. And you should also confirm that the coverage will still apply if the rehab is ordered by the court.
Public healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid offer substance abuse coverage for rehab programs as well.
Regardless of your insurance coverage, you should generally expect the individual being ordered to rehab to be responsible for the costs. In some states, there also may be government funding available to help with the costs if the person is unable to pay for it.
Beginning Rehab: What to Expect
Depending on the severity of the person’s needs, their rehab stay may begin with a detox period to help them overcome their body’s dependency on a given substance.
Doing this in a closely monitored, medically supervised environment is the safest and best way for someone to get through the initial withdrawal phase of their substance abuse.
The symptoms of withdrawal can be difficult. While your loved one will be the one to physically experience these symptoms, there are ways you can help and support them during detox.
After completing the withdrawal phase, they will likely be transferred to an inpatient residential program. Ideally, this would take place within the same facility, but some treatment centers may only offer one or the other.
Finding the Right Rehab Facility
As we said earlier, there are no easy answers or quick fixes when you’re in the position of trying to get someone you love into rehab. It’s important to choose a treatment facility with a track record of treating the specific addiction in your situation. Also, addiction often occurs alongside other conditions (like depression, anxiety, or PTSD), which may require a dual-diagnosis approach to treatment.
Whether you’re looking into court-ordered rehab here in Vermont or from another state, Sana is here to help in any way we can.
As a residential rehab facility in the beautiful Green Mountains, we provide expert and compassionate rehab care away from the busyness and distractions of everyday life.
A fresh start and freedom from addiction are possible for your loved one. To talk to a member of our staff about how Sana can help, please give us a call at 866-575-9958.
