When someone that you care about develops an addiction to alcohol or other drugs, it can be excruciating to watch them suffer. Your pain may be magnified if your loved one refuses to seek treatment. You know they need help, but do you know how to convince someone to go to rehab?
Understanding Addiction and the Importance of Rehab
Before trying to figure out how to convince someone to go to rehab, it’s essential to know what addiction is and why rehab can make a very big difference. Addiction is a long-term health problem that affects the brain & changes a person’s behavior. It means not being able to stop using a substance even when it causes serious issues in their life. People dealing with addiction often feel alone, lose control, and go through withdrawal symptoms.
Rehab (or) rehabilitation, is a structured program designed to help individuals recover from addiction. It typically involves a combination of medical detox, counseling, therapy & support systems that help individuals address the root causes of their substance abuse and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Rehab provides a safe place for people to start their recovery journey. It helps them not only stop using harmful substances but also work on turning their lives around.
Know That You’re Not Alone
Addiction can be isolating, both for the person who has developed the disorder and for those who care about them. Addiction awareness and understanding have increased considerably in recent years, but many people are still hesitant to talk about their own struggles with drug abuse or the problems that a loved one has been having. Whether you’re trying to convince yourself or a loved one to go to rehab, understanding that the person who is in need of rehab isn’t alone is important.
Before you read any further, please know this: Neither you nor your loved one are alone.
Drug abuse and addiction are widespread problems throughout the world. The following information about substance abuse in the United States is from the 2020 edition of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is conducted each year by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
- 61.6 million Americans engaged in binge drinking in the past year.
- 28.3 million Americans met the clinical criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.
- 59.3 million people ages 12 and older used an illicit drug at least once in the past year.
- 18.4 million people ages 12 and over were addicted to an illegal substance.
- 6.5 million people in the U.S. were addicted to both alcohol and another substance.
Steps to Convince Someone to Go to Rehab
If you’ve been trying to figure out how to convince someone to go to rehab, here are a few points to consider:
- Educate yourself first: Research addiction, treatment, and recovery. Understanding what your loved one has been dealing with will prepare you to provide meaningful advice. Learning about treatment and recovery options will also help you discuss the available choices effectively.
- Get some help: If it is at all possible, don’t try to do this all on your own. You don’t want to overwhelm your loved one. However, having a few trusted friends or family members to help you can be extremely valuable. It can also demonstrate two things to your loved one: You’re not the only one who thinks they need help, and you’re not the only one who really cares about them.
- Talk to your loved one: Notice that we didn’t say argue with your loved one, plead with your loved one, or demand that your loved one enter a program. Just talk to them. Let them know you care. Express your worries about their health. When the time is right, share the information that you have gathered about treatment options. This will not be one conversation. Plan to address this topic several times.
- Listen to your loved one: While research offers insights, only they truly know what they’re going through. Understanding their reasons for refusing treatment can guide your next steps. Letting them share increases the chance they’ll keep the conversation open.
- Consider an intervention: This shouldn’t be your first choice, but it may become necessary. Don’t base the intervention on what you’ve seen in films or TV. Conduct extensive planning beforehand, and consider involving a professional in the process.
Can You Force Someone to go to Rehab in California?
If you’ve been thinking about how to convince someone to go to rehab, you may have wondered if there is any way to legally force a person into treatment.
If you (and the person you are concerned about) live in California, you may be able to accomplish this. However, it can be extremely difficult, and you need to consider several factors before you attempt to do this.
According to the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System, which is maintained by Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, a person can be involuntarily committed to a substance abuse treatment facility for 14 days in the state of California.
For a person to be forced to go to rehab via involuntary commitment, they must be assessed by a qualified professional. This professional must confirm the following:
- The individual has a substance use disorder.
- The individual is a threat to themselves or others
- The individual is unwilling to voluntarily enter treatment.
You must also find a treatment center that will agree to accept your loved one. Also, your loved one can have counsel present at their commitment hearing.
There are times when involuntary commitment may be necessary. Ideally, though, you may be able to convince your loved one to enter treatment yourself. It’s also beneficial to have the help of some close friends, or via an intervention. As we have noted, resorting to legal force can be both difficult and time-consuming. In addition, the end result may be that your loved one exits the program after only 14 days.
Contact Our Drug Rehab Centers in Southern California
To learn more about how to convince someone to go to rehab, or for information about drug rehab options in Southern California, please contact Renewal Health Group at your earliest convenience. A member of our team can answer all your questions, so you can make the most informed decisions about your loved one’s health.
Conclusion on How to Convince Someone to go To Rehab
Helping someone get help for addiction is not easy, but it is a kind and caring thing to do. It needs patience, kindness, and understanding. Watch for signs that show someone might have an addiction, pick a good time and way to talk to them and keep supporting them as they try to get better. Even small steps can help a lot and give them hope for a healthier life.
