It is a traumatic experience for any family to watch a loved one live in the cycle of self-destruction that is addiction or alcoholism. Trying to deal with somebody who is struggling from alcoholism or addiction can be very challenging. Most often they will deny there is a problem and refuse to even consider looking for help in a drug or alchol rehab. The role of the family is to help them start making healthy decisions.

An intervention might be the best way to help somebody to make a healthy decision to get help in an alcohol rehab. The family could sit down with the addict or alcoholic and let them know how worried you are. There are several types of intervention that you could try to use, but the fundamental point to carry across is that there is a lot of concern about the drinking or drugging.

In cases where the individual is clearly a risk to themself or society it is possible to obain a court mandated admission to a drug or alcohol rehab. In these cases the alcoholic or addict will be forced into treatment.

Treatment outcomes are generally more positive if somebody arrives at a drug or alcohol rehab ready and willing to engage in the treatment program. However, people can arrive being very unwilling and after being exposed to group and individual therapy realize that they have a problem. This means that a positive treatment outcome can be accomplished even if a person is forced into drug or alcohol rehab.

In South Africa addicts and alcoholics may be court ordered under the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, 1992 (Act 20 of 1992). Foreign citizens may be court ordered into a drug or alcohol rehab. Click here for the official government site.

In order to obtain such an order you should contact an external social worker who will compile a report and obtain medical backing to support the application for a court-ordered admission to a drug rehab. There are social workers who specialize in this work.

This will force somebody into treatment until the director of the rehab center recommends they be discharged. Every 12 months the director needs to inform the Department as to why the person has not yet been discharged.

Would you be willing to commit somebody to alcohol rehab if it would safe his/her life?

Please call us on:
 UK: 0808 26 REHAB (73422) or
 SA: 082-74-REHAB (73422).