On the surface, it may seem that being court-ordered or otherwise forced into addiction treatment will be unsuccessful – after all, how can a person succeed if they don’t want to be there? It is very possible for people who don’t want to change to succeed in recovery. As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states, legal pressure can actually increase attendance and treatment and improve retention – the longer a person stays in recovery, the more likely they are to adopt a new perspective on their life. If you have a loved one who has been sent to addiction treatment, know that recovery is possible, even if they aren’t showing signs of this at the beginning.
A 2015 article written by researchers from Australia explored the current interventions used for unmotivated individuals and what can be done. The researchers argue that to help those who are not motivated or do not see a reason for change, they must first uncover the reasons for why a person is motivated so that they can address these specifically in treatment. Some of these underlying reasons could be that a person perceives treatment as “too hard”, they have little knowledge on recovery, they are embarrassed to be in recovery, and more. Court-ordered and hospital-ordered treatment somewhat bypasses these concerns by making the first decision for the individual – obtaining help.
Involuntary treatment can be beneficial for a variety of reasons:
- It varies in length, from around 3-9 months typically
- It’s highly structured to help a person develop a new daily routine and lifestyle
- Customized treatment programs are often provided to help the person receive the best care possible
- Regular evaluations are conducted to monitor progress and see if any changes need to be made
If court-ordered treatment is not completed, your loved one could be facing serious jail time. This is often enough pressure for them to turn their life around – but if it isn’t, consequences will ensue. For some people, the type of force involved with treatment is important because they would not otherwise seek help just from concerns of family or friends.
The man who creates change creates himself. With our innovative treatment programs and adventure based recovery, we’re transforming men’s lives inside and out. Call Tree House Recovery today for information on our men’s addiction treatment programs in Orange County, California: (855) 202-2138
