“It was 11 years ago when I first found him unconscious with a needle in his arm. That is the day the devil appeared in my life. Opiates are the devil, they take someone you love and turn them into someone that will lie, manipulate and steal everything you own, leaving nothing but the memories of the child that once saw you as their entire world.
My son has lied to me, stolen from me, sold my possessions and put me at risk numerous times. He drove a car into a tree breaking his neck, but failed to see how he was given a second chance at life. Addicts aren’t capable of making good decisions, yet every time I make a call to a treatment center they need to speak to him, because he’s an adult.
The hardest thing I ever did was telling my son he wasn’t welcome in my home. This was after years of my friends and family telling me that was my only option. How could a mom be required to put their child out on the street? I need to love him enough, help him stay clean, pay his fines, make sure he eats and bathes. Fast forward 10 years and I find the only peace I feel is when he’s in jail. So 7 months ago I put him out of my home.
Two weeks ago he came home, wanting to get clean. I’ve heard this before so I was optimistic but cautious. I allowed him to stay and enjoyed having him home even though I knew he was high but he assured me he just needed to get high one last time, again I’ve heard this before but I miss my son. I bought some clothes at Dollar General for him and toiletries he would need for the in-patient care.
Monday came and the transport to the facility arrived and surprisingly he left without an excuse or fight and I let my thoughts wander to that happy place where I picture him receiving a degree, his wedding day, his first child. I’ve learned from experience he can’t use the phone for the first five days while in detox so later that day I called the facility to see if he made it there. I was bluntly informed he jumped out of the car not even a mile after leaving my home. I was a fool.
I held back my anger and pain and started making calls to see if I could get him to treatment involuntarily. The information I received was that an involuntary hold could only be initiated for a mental health crisis. Although sympathetic to the facts I presented when I stated that his decisions put him at risk and the amount of drugs he was doing could kill a full grown elephant, it didn’t meet the criteria of a mental health hold.
This is where I’ll end my story. For now. “ Wyatt’s Mom
I know from experience that from the time an addict agrees to go to treatment to the time you get them there is the most critical time. I can see the addict inside my son desperately trying to survive. It starts with “i need to get high one more time” then, “I don’t have clean clothes” “Can I just do the 5 day detox?”
Getting into treatment usually means waiting for a bed, waiting for transportation there, and then hoping he stays there.
Involuntary Treatment can be the change it takes to get them to treatment and over the obstacle of giving an addict the choice to live or get high.
There’s a long-held philosophy in recovery that an addict must want to get better before they will accept help. That has been a hard-and-fast concept for decades. But there is one inherent flaw with that idea. The concept that a substance abuser has to choose help predates the widespread acceptance of the disease concept of addiction. The prevailing sense of wisdom today supposes that “choice” is not an accurate way to describe an active addict’s actions.
If we now know that chronic substance abuse triggers neurochemical changes within the areas of the brain associated with moral reasoning, decision-making, learning, and motivation, how can we cling to the antiquated idea that successful recovery completely depends on an active addict’s ability to make a good choice for their future? Because there is another old recovery slogan – “Fake it until you make it.” The original writer of this slogan understood that, in early recovery, it isn’t necessary to completely buy into all the messages and lessons being presented. In the beginning, just continuing to show up is a triumphant step forward.
Understanding and acceptance can come later. As evidence of this, consider a 2006 review of involuntary hospitalization. At the time they were hospitalized, 48% of patients did not initially agree with their treatment. However, up to 81% later agreed that their involuntary admission had been justified and that they had benefited from the treatment. And what about the criticism that forced treatment is a violation of the patient’s human rights and far too restrictive to be effective?
A compelling argument can be made that for those patients for whom forced/assisted treatment is necessary—the most severely ill and addicted—compulsory rehab is much LESS restrictive than the chaotic cycle of legal entanglements, hospitalizations, and personal dysfunction caused by untreated SUD.
To be clear—involuntary drug and alcohol rehab is not a needed option for the vast majority of people with SUD. But in a current reality where only about 10% of those who need help are getting it, maybe this is an option that should be explored further.
The Path to Recovery: Embracing Involuntary Treatment for Opioid Addiction
In the face of the opioid crisis, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where we must carefully consider all possible solutions. It is an undeniable truth that opioid addiction has wreaked havoc on the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities. While the principles of personal autonomy and the right to refuse treatment are essential, the gravity of this crisis calls for a bold and compassionate approach. Involuntary treatment for opioid addiction may be the necessary step forward to save lives and rebuild our communities.
1. Preserving Life Above Autonomy
Life is the most valuable asset an individual possesses. When addiction takes hold, it strips the person of their capacity for rational thinking and self-control. By embracing involuntary treatment, we prioritize the preservation of life over individual autonomy. Involuntary treatment acts as an intervention mechanism to provide immediate care, preventing the worsening of an addict's condition, and increasing the chances of a successful recovery.
2. Breaking the Cycle of Destruction
Opioid addiction is a vicious cycle that entangles individuals, families, and society at large. It perpetuates a destructive cycle of crime, violence, and strained social services. Involuntary treatment can interrupt this cycle, offering individuals a chance to break free from the grips of addiction. By utilizing mandatory rehabilitation programs, we facilitate the necessary change to restore order, enhance public safety, and allocate resources more effectively.
3. Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Opioid addiction has demonstrated its impartiality, affecting people from all walks of life. Those most vulnerable, such as individuals suffering from addiction and homelessness, often lack access to proper medical care and support systems. Involuntary treatment ensures that these individuals receive the help they desperately need, even if they are initially unwilling or unable to seek it themselves. By doing so, we are working towards a more equitable and compassionate society.
4. Preventing Harm to Others
The ripple effects of opioid addiction extend far beyond the individual, infiltrating families, friends, and entire communities. The consequential strain on relationships, economic productivity, and public safety cannot be overlooked. Involuntary treatment provides a means to protect not only the person suffering from addiction but also those closest to them. By addressing addiction head-on, we can limit the potential harm that addicts may inflict on themselves and others.
Pennsylvania General Assembly
This problem needs a radical change solution. You can’t put a band-aid on a gushing wound that is killing someone. This is the time. Pennsylvania is receiving money from the wrong doings of Pharmaceutical Companies and is intended to help stop this crisis. I haven’t seen any current legislation that meets a solution, just committees gathering data. People will continue to die while administrative bureaucracy funnels money from pharmaceutical criminals to corrupt politicians.
