Does Forced Rehab Work?

Self Determination

This being said, in most cases, you cannot force an adult to go to rehab against their will, even if you are certain it is the best place for them to be.

In the Uk, most people have the right to make their own medical decisions unless they are under very specific circumstances. We understand that it can feel frustrating if you are unable to force someone to get the help they need, but they have the right to body autonomy.

If the person you are worried about does not fall into a category that we have covered and therefore cannot be forced into treatment against their will, then don’t worry. There are still options available to you so that you can get them the help they need.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to employ the services of an intervention specialist so that a safe and effective intervention can be held.

You must remember that this is not a guaranteed success, but it may open up the conversation that down the line when they are ready for help, you are there to provide them with it.

Does it work when people are forced into rehab?

The recovery process is a long and difficult one.

It requires a month-long dedication to working towards sobriety, and it is hard work. While in rehab, they can be kept away from all drugs and alcohol. And they can be provided with round-the-clock care and therapy sessions.

The simple fact of the matter is that unless the person attending the rehab is willing to put in the work, their progress is temporary at best.

Addiction is, unfortunately, a chronic condition that can never really be cured. The aim of a rehab centre is not to take away the addiction but to instead to keep people away from substance abuse long enough so that they can teach the people there how to manage it.

Suppose a person is unwilling to try and follow the teachings and to move away from drugs and alcohol. In that case, as soon as they leave the rehab centre, they are a relapse waiting to happen.

On some occasions, the person forced into rehab may respond well to the treatments and decide to continue the journey to long-term recovery on their own. But it is recommended that you try to introduce the person you are worried about to support groups first to see how they respond.

Support groups such as alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous are available all across the UK. They can provide support for people struggling with addictions. They may be able to help show the person you are worried about what recovery can be like and put them on their way to getting help from a rehab centre.

Who has the authority to force someone into rehab?

Not just anyone in the UK has the legal power to force someone into a drug and alcohol rehab centre.

Outside of legal guardians and judges, no one else can force someone into rehab, and unless it is part of a sentencing, no one can force them to stay.

The difficult matter at hand is that even if you are able to force someone in, the staff at the drug and alcohol rehab centre can’t keep them there. But, of course, they will do everything they can to convince them to stay and to continue their treatments until the end. But if a person can leave the rehab wherever they want to.

At Addiction Advocates, we understand how you feel. You just want to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life, but they are unwilling to meet you halfway. In some cases, they may not even be willing to admit that they are struggling with an addiction.

That is why we provide support so that you can learn everything you need to know about addiction and the recovery process. At this stage, the more you can learn and understand them better.

This is because it enables you to provide non-judgmental support and information if the person you are worried about ever needs it.

It is important that you keep in mind that the recovery journey is not a linear one. Even people who wanted to get help from the drug and alcohol rehab centre still struggle and replace.

It can take a long time, and many trips to rehab before someone is finally able to achieve long-term recovery, and that is fine. It simply means they need more help than others may do.

Don’t lose hope. You may not be able to get your loved one into a rehab right now, but that may not always be the case. They need to make that decision for themselves, and the best you can do is to stay by their side through the good times and the bad times.

You could try to learn what triggers their cravings and provide positive distractions to keep them away. You could also offer them a safe place to stay and get them out of a toxic environment that may be leading to substance abuse.

Even if you can’t force them into a rehab centre, there are still things you can do to help them.