How to Convince Someone to Go to Rehab: What to Try

Millions of people in the United States live with substance use disorder (SUD). Substance abuse and addiction are complex conditions requiring thoughtful, comprehensive treatment.

Living with SUD can be very challenging. It can also be difficult to watch someone in your life struggle with substance abuse or addiction. Many people want to help an addicted loved one seek treatment. But how can you convince someone to go to rehab?

This article will explore some of the ways you may be able to convince someone to seek SUD treatment.

If you or a loved one needs addiction treatment, don’t wait to get help. Alamo Behavioral Health offers a range of comprehensive treatment options. Learn more about our programs or schedule your first appointment by contacting our intake team today.

Recognizing the Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction

Recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step in getting help to overcome it. Substance abuse and addiction can change how a person looks, thinks, feels, and behaves. Common signs of addiction include:

• Increased substance use (drug use or drinking)
• Dishonest or sneaky behaviors
• Appearance changes, including significant weight changes
• Changes in appetite or sleep habits
• Increased isolation
• Physical symptoms, including red eyes, pupil changes, skin issues, weight loss, bloating, and more
• Finding objects related to substance use, including empty bottles, baggies, syringes, needles, spoons, and pipes
• New or worsening mental health symptoms
• Financial, social, or legal trouble related to substance use
• Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), people who become addicted to drugs or alcohol may not be able to control their substance use. Many people require medical professional treatment to achieve long-term recovery.

Treatment facilities may offer a range of treatment programs, including medical care, support groups, behavioral therapies, education, and more.

Alamo Behavioral Health accepts many major insurance plans, including:

Check if my insurance covers rehab

How to Convince Someone to Go to Rehab

If you believe a loved one needs addiction treatment, there are steps you can take to convince them to go to rehab. Here are some things you can try.

1. Learn about addiction

Educate yourself about addiction and recovery. Find information from trustworthy, evidence-based sources, including NIDA and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Read books about addiction, attend support groups, or talk to trusted medical and addiction professionals.

2. Learn about local treatment options

Before you approach your loved one, it helps to be prepared with treatment options that are available nearby. Look into local rehab centers, what services they offer, and whether they provide inpatient or outpatient care. Make sure the program is licensed and staffed by qualified professionals.

Having specific information ready, like where the facility is located, what the intake process is like, and how quickly someone can be admitted, can help make the idea of going to rehab feel less overwhelming. The team at Alamo Behavioral Health can answer your questions, verify insurance, and help you explore options that fit your loved one’s needs.

3. Plan an intervention

An intervention is a planned conversation between an addicted person and their loved ones. The goal of an intervention is to express concern for an addicted person and convince them to go to rehab immediately.

You can stage an intervention by choosing people to attend, planning what you will say, and rehearsing it. Consider working with a professional interventionist to increase your chances of success. Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about staging an intervention or to find support.

4. Choose the best time for the conversation

Timing is important when holding an intervention for an addicted loved one. It is crucial to act quickly to avoid worsening complications and consequences of substance use. Planning your intervention and finding the proper forms of support is also critical.

During the intervention, be careful to not place blame on your loved one, and use “I” statements to avoid your loved one becoming defensive. Remain supportive and compassionate, and reassure your loved one that you’ll be there to support them at every stage of their recovery.

5. Set and enforce healthy boundaries

Boundaries help protect your own well-being and can also encourage your loved one to seek treatment. Clearly communicate what behaviors you will no longer tolerate, such as lying, stealing, or using substances in your home.

Be firm but compassionate, and follow through with consequences if your boundaries are crossed. This isn’t about punishment but rather about showing that you’re serious and that their behavior affects others. Sometimes, setting limits is the wake-up call someone needs to finally accept help.

Can You Make Someone Go to Rehab?

It can be challenging to watch a loved one struggle with drug or alcohol abuse. Struggling with addiction can mean devastating harm to a person’s health, emotional well-being, daily functioning, and more. In many cases, family members or other loved ones may wonder if it’s possible to force someone to seek treatment.

There isn’t a single answer to this question. Several states have involuntary commitment laws. These laws allow loved ones to petition for involuntary treatment for a drug or alcohol addict in their lives.

States that have these laws include:

• Rhode Island
• Massachusetts
• Maine
• Vermont
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• Indiana
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Delaware
• Missouri
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Texas
• Oklahoma
• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Colorado
• South Dakota
• North Dakota
• Montana
• Hawaii
• Alaska
• Washington
• California

In these states, you may be able to seek involuntary, court-ordered SUD or mental health treatment for a loved one.

However, these laws often have strict guidelines. It can be challenging to force someone to go to rehab, even in states with involuntary treatment laws.

Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about convincing someone to go to rehab. You may also explore our treatment programs, ask questions, or schedule appointments by reaching out to our intake team today.

Find Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love needs treatment to overcome substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Find the treatment, support, and resources you need at Alamo Behavioral Health. Contact our treatment specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake assessment.