desperate mother traying to help son get aot of heavy painkiller addiction.

[cementerio]

Is there any way or law in TX that can force a 31 year old man to go to rehab? He is takin painkillers for a very long time< he is a wrestler, you know what I mean, he refuses to get treatment and if he doesent get help NOW he will die. We tried to talk to him, he dont leasen, his best friend pass away almost 7 month ago of a over dose and he is in a very deep depresion and want to die. Dont let anyone near him except his long time girl frien who has been with him for almost 11 years. he told her to leave because he want her to start a new life, she left but came back to him when his friend die and still living with him cience. He got fired from his job because he refuse to go to rehab. 7 month ago they gave him an opportinity if goes to rehab and only accepted because it was a 5 day program, HELLOOOO? he needs more than 5 days, he left at the 2nd day.his condition is worst than ever, he is smokink the pain killers and injectin them. His intake is about 4 0r 5 vicodine + 7 or 8 somas, can you help me with him?

[mellie4]

I should have mentioned in my earlier comment that even if you are successful in getting him committed, there's always a chance that it will make no difference.  Unless he comes to a point during the commitment that he WANTS to get clean, he could very well come out and start using again.  But there's always the chance that during his commitment, something  will happen or someone will say something that will hit home and turn things around for him.

No matter what happens, I agree with Avisg, getting yourself some help would be a great idea.  AlAnon is free but you could also get some private therapy or talk to a pastor or priest at your church.  I know how much the worry of someone you love being addicted can put a strain on you.  During this time, you need to take care of yourself, your own physical and mental health.  Without taking care of yourself, you won't be any good to anyone.

[avisg]

Welcome to the forum ,I can here the pain you are going threw .Its the hardest when you feel like there is nothing you can do .I don't know if there is any way do make him go .I do know it really is very hard for an addict to get help if they are not willing .Have you been to any alnon meetings I think they would help you .I wish there was more I could suggest .I am sure u have probably all ready tried this but have you tried an intervention .There are intervention specialists maybe if you all work together you could get him to realize that he really needs help...

[mellie4]

So sorry you're going through this with your son.  I think it must be the hardest thing in the world dealing with this when it's your child.

I'm not sure about Texas, but I know in Massachusetts you can have someone civilly committed.  It's something you can check on at your local court.  Having someone civilly committed means that you bring a petition that they are not responsible for themselves and could harm themselves or someone else.  They would be evaluated by a psychiatrist, who would also speak with you and whoever else to get the information.

At that point they would be admitted to a state facility (which usually aren't the best.)  It probably varies from state to state how long they'd be committed for, but I think it would be at least for 30 days.  Sometimes, when you start this process, the person you're trying to commit will decide to enter a rehab on their own.  Sometimes they realize that getting into a private rehab is a better route to go than a state one.

When my ex-husband was at his worst, his mother and I started this process.  It was literally on the courthouse steps that he voluntarily admitted himself.

This route does have fallout, however.  The person can be so angry that they'll turn their back on you.  For me, I felt that would be worth it if it kept him alive.  And a lot of times they start out angry, but during the rehab process, they come the realization that it was for the best.

My ex went voluntarily.  It was initially for 2 weeks.  He was given the opportunity to stay for 30 days and he accepted it.  He was then given an opportunity to go to a sober house and called me to ask if I could manage things for another 3 months alone, and of course, I said yes.  He wound up in a wonderful program, and he ended up getting nearly 5 years sobriety out of it.  (Unfortunately, at some point he stopped working the program, and ended up back on everything and we split up.)

You could also try an intervention.  I know a couple of people that worked for.

Best of luck with your son.  I know when I was attending AlAnon it would break my heart listening to parents talk of their addicted children, and I thought that would be a far more difficult road than doing it with a spouse.