Should drug addicts be forced into rehab?
Depends on the level of addiction and the threat to society.
Something mild is just a lifestyle choice and who am I to judge?
If they are a threat they should be locked up same as non addicted people who are a threat.
How much time effort and funds are we expected to outlay? The rest of us have lives to live too, I am in favour of sending them out into the wilderness where they can detox and make their way back teaching themselves survival skills on the way.
There are different levels of addiction... so I don't know.
You can't force people. They have to want it for themselves.
No.
It's a pointless exercise.
There may be some short term success, but people will only make significant lifestyle changes when they choose to.
I fully understand that and when people make the decision to change their lifestyle, there should be a full range of services to support them.
Rehab as an alternative to jail? Then what?
Send them back to the same streets, friends and social circle they came from and expect them to stay clean.
Under court order in lieu of imprisonment for a disease/illness, Detox yes, it may extend or even save their life. However I believe wider accessibility of detox and treatment would be more effective. As far as personal recovery goes, it is up to the individual. Rehabs provide detoxification, a safe, relatively drug free, relatively friendly environment. It may provide access to 12 step meetings/groups/fellowships, other recovery programs, and continuing care but it cannot instill the necessary desire to get clean / sober.
I don't like the idea of forcing anybody to do anything. But, being a member of AA I've seen many alcoholics forced by the courts into AA. And sometimes it works. But they did have a choice; go to AA or go to jail. I think that is a pretty good offer.
Rehab works, but addiction has a relapses rate similar to other illnesses. This means that treatment must be ongoing. I think all drugs ought to be legalized if under doctor's care, with the requirement for ongoing treatment for whatever the doctor deems harmful.
A couple of countries have done this sort of thing...Portugal.
[washingtonpost.com]
Should religious people be forced into reality?
Everyone the that pays taxes then dies, has been forced into reality.
Now THAT is tempting but no.
There is no point, if they don't wan't rehab.
So what would you do with a heroin addicted family member you love and want to help?
You have to help them want to try. Unfortunately that's not an easy task, my friend. I know that putting pressure on them, is not the way to go.
Tough question. For some it may be beneficial, but in my experience you can't help someone who isn't ready and willing to be helped yet. It may end up being a waste of time and resources to try and force it.
What if they are family and live in your house?