Many times friends and relatives of an addict can feel absolutely helpless watching the person they care for sink deeper and deeper into their addiction. Most people resort to begging, threatening and even interventions in order to get the addict to seek help, often to no avail. However, in Florida, loved ones and friends can take legal action to get an addicted person help even against their will. It is called the Marchman act, and it may well save the life of an addict.

What is The Marchman Act?

The Marchman Act is a legal means by which a spouse, blood relative or three people with direct knowledge of a person addiction can get the addicted person evaluated and perhaps treated even against their will. You need to file for a hearing and during that hearing, you need to prove the following things about the addict.

1. That the addict has lost all self-control over their addiction. Proofs may include such things as the addict lying or stealing to get money to support their habit or doing other things they would never have done prior to their addiction.
2. That the addicted individual is likely to cause injury to themselves or someone else if they don’t receive help. Proofs for this may include visits to the hospital room for overdoses, violence or threats of violence against others, or talk of suicide.
3. The lack of capacity of the addicted to appreciate the need to care for their addiction and the inability to make a rational decision regarding their care.
4. The addicted person’s unwillingness to voluntarily get help for their addiction.

Filing the Paperwork and The First Hearing

While it is possible to fill out the paperwork and file it on your own it is often helpful to get legal assistance in doing so as it increases your chances of succeeding in court. Once you have filed the paperwork under the Marchman Act, a hearing date will be set. At the hearing, you will have to show your proofs and if the court agrees that the proofs are legitimate the judge will order the person be held against their will for 5 days during which they will be evaluated.

Evaluation and Recommendations

The addicted individual is then sent to a treatment facility where they are evaluated and recommendation concerning treatment is made. A second hearing is then set, and the court reviews the recommendations and decides if treatment is necessary and viable. If so they can order the addicted individual to a 60-day treatment program with the possibility of extending that treatment for additional 90 days.

If the addicted refuses to go for the court order treatment or leaves the facility before the program is completed then the addicted individual can be held in contempt of court and either ordered to return to the program or incarcerated. The threat of jail is often enough to get addicts to remain in treatment for the full length of time.

While there is no guarantee that the Marchman Act will ensure that an addicted individual will beat their addiction, it does offer them a chance to get clean sober, so they can consider their options with a clearer head.

Alternative Methods Instead of Marchman Act

If you are struggling with the idea of having to file a motion through the court systems in Florida, then a professional interventionist may be the answer. An interventionist can help you and your family overcome the individual in denial of their addiction to the substance. A professional orchestrated intervention can help determine the best possible way of successfully convincing the individual to seek treatment immediately. We are well trained in overcoming the obstacles many families face when trying to convey to their loved one they need help.

KD Consulting Corporation can also help with providing direct information on how to file the motion and the best steps in helping the individual receive treatment when they are unwilling. To learn more about our ways to file a motion or have a professional intervention contact our office at 866-631-0026.

The post Filing a Marchman Act in Florida Involuntary Committal first appeared on KD Consulting Interventions.

Often times, we are set in motions unimaginable when facing your loved one struggling with their dependency on substance. We have fear each day the phone rings, is everything ok. When deciding on an intervention to save someone you love, it is best to do research. You want the best chance of success because you never know if you will have another chance before it is too late.

Many times we are faced with crisis situations where your loved one is unwilling to seek treatment, facing legal charges, spiraling in their addiction to overdose or death.  This is why it is so important to find an interventionist that is capable of understanding the dire need for a successful outcome for the intervention.

Researching Interventionist

It is important to research the interventionist and verify their education, what makes them a fit for your family, the level of understanding of the family dynamics and this is the best interventionist to save your loved one. You want to feel comfortable in knowing that the interventionist as your family best interest at heart and can guide you in the direction of healing and recovery.

Also when researching you want to make sure they are certified intervention professional CIP, ask how long have they be doing interventions, what type of modality of intervention do you use, and what is your success rate. These questions can help guide you in ensuring this is a professional interventionist that is trained and can help my family.

Resources

Your interventionist should provide the resources for both the family and loved one onto a path of recovery. Your trained intervention specialist has many resources for all levels of inpatient, outpatient, to sober living in helping your loved one but also provide resources for you the family to receive healing through support groups, individual therapists, and much more.  Addiction and/or Mental Health affect the entire family system, not just the individual needing treatment. It is very important that the family also receives help and guidance to create a successful unity after treatment.

With the ability to ask these simple qualifications and questions, you can then determine the best choice of interventionist that is trained professionally.  Professional interventionists are trained with many hours working with families and every family is different. You can have two alcoholic families, but the family dynamics are completely different. You want that the best interventionist to assist and know the best approach to saving your loved one.

The post Hiring the Best Trained Interventionist first appeared on KD Consulting Interventions.

Heroin produces a downer effect and blocks the brain’s ability to recognize pain.  Similar to the opiate medications used to treat pain.  Heroin is also known as “black tar” or “smack”.  In 2004, Afghanistan produces roughly 87% of the world supply of raw opium and Mexico producing the second largest opium producer in the world.  Heroin is a dangerous illicit and very addictive drug. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to heroin, we can help.  KD Consulting can help you and your family through a difficult time when faced with a loved one abusing drugs.  If you need a drug intervention for someone in denial or need to find the right drug treatment for your loved one, we can help.

Heroin and Physical Symptoms of Withdrawal

Physical symptoms with heroin abuse withdrawal can include muscle and bone pain, restlessness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, cold flashes, shortness in breath, disorientation, small pupils, dry mouth, and leg cramps.

Heroin Drug Abuse Paraphernalia

Warning signs of heroin abuse and the paraphernalia used to prepare, inject or consume heroin:

• Needles or syringes
• Burned silver spoons
• Straws with burn marks
• Pipes
• Plastic bags, with white or tan powdery substances
• Burned aluminum foil
• Missing shoelaces or surgical tubing to tie off before injection

Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease.  The primary objective of a heroin user focuses their day searching and using drugs.  Long-term heroin intravenous drug abusers run a high risk of contracting an infectious disease such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and STDs.   They also have a higher chance of collapsed veins, abscesses, and other bacterial infections.

Behavioral Signs of Heroin Abuse

• Isolation from friends and family, spending more time with new friends
• Avoiding eye contact
• Lying and manipulative behaviors
• Repeatedly stealing or borrowing money
• Change in appearance, wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide intravenous marks. Decrease attention to hygiene and physical appearance.
• Increase in time spent sleeping
• Loss of motivation
• Performance in school or work has declined or even loss of a job.

If you need help finding the right treatment center or are in need of an intervention for a loved one with heroin drug abuse please call us today toll-free 1-866-631-0026. We can help.

The post Heroin Interventions and Treatment Options first appeared on KD Consulting Interventions.