When a friend or family member is struggling with substance abuse but is unwilling to seek the right kind of addiction treatment, the Marchman Act offers a way to get them into a recovery program before they do more harm to themselves or others. If you are considering this path to help someone you care about, you might wonder what kinds of addiction treatment are available under the Marchman Act.

How Does the Marchman Act Help Florida Families?

The Marchman Act, or the Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act of 1993, allows a concerned friend, family member, or responsible party to petition the court asking for a professional assessment and possible involuntary addiction treatment. In Florida, many families find the right help for a loved one through this civil court procedure.

Asking for a court-ordered evaluation and addiction treatment for a substance use disorder can help end dangerous abuse of alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, prescription medications, and other illegal street drugs. You will need to provide evidence that1:

• The substance abuse is causing physical harm to the person or other people
• They cannot control their substance use and refuse to voluntarily submit to a professional evaluation
• Their judgement is impaired and they are incapable of choosing treatment when a reasonable person would do so

Who Can Use the Marchman Act in Florida?

In order to file a petition for involuntary assessment and possible treatment, you must be1:

• A spouse
• A guardian
• A relative
• An unrelated responsible adult with direct knowledge of the substance abuse
• A service provider with power of attorney

What Addiction Treatment Programs Are Available?

There are many recovery programs available which offer different levels of care. When a court orders treatment, it will be in an accredited private facility or a publicly funded treatment center. 

The most common levels of treatment available in Florida include:

• Involuntary Hospitalization. If the individual needs psychiatric care, suicide watch, or faces a potentially life-threatening detoxification (detox), they may be hospitalized. If private insurance is available, it will be used to pay for this intensive initial treatment step.
• Medically Supervised Detox. When withdrawal symptoms are expected to be severe, the person with addiction may need 24/7 supervision and medical care, which can be provided in an accredited treatment center or hospital. Often referred to as ‘drug rehab,’ addictions to opioids, alcohol, and stimulants may require this level of care. Medications may be used to ease symptoms until the individual can overcome this initial hurdle.
• Inpatient Residential Programs. In an inpatient residential setting, clients live in the facility and spend full-time hours on treatment, including group and individual therapy, behavioral therapy, workshops, and sober activities. Long-term residential treatment provides a sense of community and belonging which can help many people maintain sobriety while they gain self-awareness and life skills.
• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP). These programs allow patients to live elsewhere, if they keep their commitment to attend a specific number of treatment hours at the facility each week. Many Florida addiction treatment programs using this model have their own sober living facilities to provide safe housing for patients using PHP. This level of care offers more personal freedom and responsibility than an inpatient facility, but is still highly supervised.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). Individuals who have a safe and sober home environment or are in a sober living facility can enroll in an intensive outpatient program. Attending formal treatment about 3 days a week, they may still be able to care for family members, attend school, or work part time. IOP offers a more normal lifestyle, usually with regular drug testing, while keeping a committed focus on recovery in a formal setting.
• Sober Living Facilities. Transitional living, halfway houses, and sober living facilities are often the final step before leaving formal treatment, but they can also be the right first step for those who face environmental challenges to staying sober. Counseling, therapy, and life skills may be part of the curriculum, or the program may focus on peer support and motivational rewards. Residents are required to abide by the rules and contribute by doing chores or taking other responsibilities.
• Publicly Funded and Faith-Based Programs. When no insurance or private funding is available for other options, there are low-cost or no-cost addiction treatment programs available. Some of these are funded by the State of Florida for those who cannot afford treatment, and some are funded by donations through religious or charitable organizations. These programs provide valuable options for those who could not otherwise afford treatment.

Learn More About Addiction Treatment Under the Marchman Act

Addiction is a disease that clouds judgement and makes it very difficult to make a decision to stop using the addictive substance. The effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain can impair the ability to recognize the physical, psychological, and relationship damage that is occurring. Sometimes the best way to help a friend or loved one is by asking professionals to intervene.

Our Florida treatment experts provide intervention services, accredited treatment programs at every level of care, and the important information you need to know to take action to help someone else at this critical time. Contact us today to find out more about the Marchman Act and evidence-based addiction treatment programs that can save lives and restore hope to someone struggling with substance abuse.

Sources:

1. https://marchmanact.com/frequently-asked-questions/