Pubdate: Tue, 29 Mar 2005
Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The Pensacola News Journal
Contact:  http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675
Author: Lloyd H. Steele
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

UNDERSTAND ADDICTION

Treatment completion for substance abuse as a probation requirement tends 
to work (incentive to change). Florida has the Marchman Act statute that 
allows for involuntary commitments for assessment and stabilization, and 
for involuntary treatment in some cases. It is limited in that it is a 
civil action. Treatment can be a condition of probation with jail time more 
feasible than under possible civil contempt of court. Bring charges on 
offenders who drink or use drugs.

You love your family member. Find out what is effective. "I don't want him 
to go to jail" is not effective, or is it literally or figuratively bailing 
the person out. Jail is better than the morgue. Treatment in lieu of just 
consequences is not effective. Please do not expect a short, involuntary 
treatment or detoxification effort to work when pleading for it has not worked.

Save a life -- save a spirit. Learn how to not enable. Attend Al-Anon or 
Nar-Anon meetings where other friends and family of addicted persons learn 
and support recovery or what lends incentive for recovery. Check out the 
Internet or local resources. Lakeview Center offers the free "Helping 
Families Understand Addiction." Call 469-3730 for information.

Lloyd H. Steele

Pensacola 
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MAP posted-by: Beth