How do you commit someone who has major health problems?

[tripbill]

My friend has a 20 year old son with serious health problems, he has had both kidneys removed and has to go to dialysis weekly. As of right now he is not elegible for a transplant because of his drug use. He is to be re-evaluated in a couple of months, but he refuses to stop using. He is living with my friend in her house. Does she have any way of having him comitted to rehab in order to get him clean so he may be able to receive a transplant?

[chronicmistake]

The only way to commit him is if he is a danger to himself or others.  I am not sure if him using drugs while needing a transplant counts?  Call a psych ward and ask.  Most inpatient facilities deal with drug and physc issues.  Ask the kid if he wants to kill himself or does he have thoughts of suicide?  If he says yes then call the police and they will take him to ER and then ER will send him to a program.  best of luck!

[LaterAugust]

Why were both kidneys removed?   He must be going thru dialysis at least 4 to 5 times weekly, if not daily, depending on how ill he is and what disease caused both kidneys to be removed at such a very young age...  my gosh this sounds like a very sad situation and one where a good psychiatrist would be of benefit to talk with your friends son.   Quite frankly most adults have an extremely hard time adjusting to dialysis, and that is when they still have one kidney that is functioning to a certain degree.  For him to be so young and have BOTH kidneys removed, has so many physical and psychological ramifications, from the bottom of my heart I suggest you turn to medical experts for advise.  He is an angry young man, and quite frankly I do not blame him one iota...   before anyone judges him, I am sure he probably  feels his life is already over, so what difference does it make if he uses drugs.   My humble opinion   this situation is way too medically and psychologically involved for any lay person to offer advise.  God bless you, this poor child and his parents.  I pray the hospital or you can provide any of them some counselling and brighter outlook, in  hopes of a transplant, or accepting emotionally an incredibly hard physical journey.  In addiction to appropriate drug councelling,

[Beccabeccalynn]

I think his age makes this hard and probably his additue is if I gotta then I wanna go high. Just sayin. Send your friend to alanon the will help guide her thru this truely hard time.
Becca

[vicki595]

Hi~  You're asking a very tough question and I'm not certain anyone here can answer properly.  

Is he legally her dependant?  That could give her more rights but,really,he's an adult who needs to seek out his own support. He doesn't want to stop,as you said,so it wouldn't matter if he was forced into rehab. It wouldn't work.  

She CAN set limits in her home,however. She could ask his physicians for advice. But,sadly,if he doesn't want to stop using there's nothing anyone can do.