My brother is twenty years old. He has been smoking marijuana for quite some time. Now we believe that he is doing harder drugs, such as crack or cocaine. He stays out all day and night, and he doesn't eat. Consequently, he has lost a lot of weight. He is also always angry and often will go into rages where he will punch and break the wall. We would like for him to get help and have held an intervention for him. He simply tells us that he does not have a problem. Many people have told us that we can do an involuntary commitment on him. I was wondering if anyone has done this and if yes, did the person recover. We are really worried about my brother. I do not want to see him dead.
Answer:
Your parents would need to talk to an attorney about getting power of attorney over your brother due to his mental incapacity.
You may have to get a court order. that is the only way I can think of.
vhtyg
I haven't done that to anyone, but a person has to have EXTREMELY STRONG evidence to successfully commit someone to a rehab center (or anywhere) against their will (ie: proven insanity, the "patient's" inability to think or care for themself).
You need to talk to a person who is qualified to answers these questions, normally you can call the hospital mental health clinic, and they would direct you; They may have him committed to a facility where he will be monotored, and clinically taken off drugs, by administering other sources to counteract the drugs. As far as the behavior problems, that is a serious issue, as he has taken drugs along time, his brain is fried, and may never be normal again, and may need help continually, especially since he may be a threat to society. He needs to be placed in a facility, go from there.... good luck!
In my line of work I have done several involuantary petitions. For someone who is no longer a "child" it is a little harder to do.
If you feel you can prove that he is a danger to himself or another ( which it definitly sounds he is both) You can go to the court and file the petition. Your brother will be picked up and brought to a facility.
At this point if the facility agrees he needs treatment, he can be held for 72 hours against his will. However, if at the end of those 72 he is not willing to participate in treatment, he will be able to leave of his own free will.
I hate that your having to go through this. Sadly, he is the only one who can change. Maybe commiting him will show him how worried and how much you care. Best of luck to you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
First of all your brother is and adult even though he is still living at home with you and the family I assume by what you are stating here.
Well you are the best observer than us responding to your question you have seen the transformation up front and personal from his weight to his violent mood swings if he is now punching in walls.
And I do know what and intervention is and you can do all you want to help him voluntarily seek help but you can't force him because when you do that is will not work,and those who told you,you can have him involuntarily committed are wrong dead wrong!! he is of legal age and not unless he is a threat to himself or the public you can't do it.
Now depending on what state you are living in the laws in your state may help you could go to court and ask the judge to have him held over for a period of time to help him, most states and courts will give a 72 hour hold so the person can be evaluated okay.
Listen my friend I know you want to do everything to help your brother and I commend you for that and I understand you don't want to see him die at such a young age as well either but everyone's case is different just because it may have worked for someone else like you want to know does not mean it will work for your brother every case and person are unique and individual as well you can't compare the one to the other,there is no doubt there has been success stories like this but there have been more failures to over shadow the successes.
And by what you have described I would say your suspicions are right on the mark he has moved up from marijuana to the hard stuff for sure.
If you document everything that has gone on and if he has been to any doctor on this matter of his huge weight and anger transformation there is your starting point right there and I hope you can do it because your brother sounds like he is heading for some serious trouble which will bring the police and criminal justice system in on this than it will be really out of your and your families hands for sure.
Good luck and talk with God,he will direct your steps and lead you in the right direction he is one that will not fail you ok,just believe in him and go with him were ever he takes you,you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment