- July 7, 2024
- Posted by: legaleseblogger
- Category: Related News
Speed-Dial AI Lawyer (470) 835 3425 FREE
FREE Legal Document translation
Try Free Now: Legalese tool without registration
A Desperate Plea for Help: A Family’s Struggle with Addiction and Mental Health
The Background
I’m reaching out in desperation, hoping that someone can offer guidance and support in a situation that’s left me feeling helpless. My mom is a sensitive, empathetic, and intelligent woman who has always put others before herself. Despite her struggles with addiction and mental health, she has always been a kind and loving person. However, her struggles have taken a devastating turn, and I’m at a loss for what to do.
The Situation
My mom’s boyfriend of 12 years passed away in December due to an overdose. This tragedy has triggered a relapse in her addiction, and she has stopped taking her schizophrenia medication. As a result, her mental health has deteriorated rapidly, and she is now in a state of severe psychosis. She is using meth and is often incoherent, making it difficult for me to understand what she’s saying. For example, she might say things like, "I need to go get my gizmos from that guy who said it was Thursday." It’s heartbreaking to see her in this state, and I’m worried about her safety and well-being.
The Consequences
The consequences of her addiction and mental health issues are devastating. She has been arrested multiple times since December, and each time she’s been released within a week, despite her obvious need for treatment. The last three weeks have been particularly challenging, with her accumulating three charges. Just last week, the officer who arrested her refused to admit her to a hospital due to her lack of physical hygiene, despite her clear mental instability.
The Bystander Effect
It’s not just my mom who’s suffering. The entire town, including the police, seem to be turning a blind eye to her situation. They view her as just another drug addict, rather than a person in crisis who needs help. This lack of empathy and understanding is exacerbating the problem, and I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle to get her the help she needs.
Seeking Solutions
I’m at a loss for what to do and feel like I’m running out of options. I’ve tried calling the police six times since December, but they just seem to release her back onto the streets. I’ve also tried reaching out to social services, but they seem unresponsive. I’m desperate for a solution and am willing to do whatever it takes to get my mom the help she needs.
How AI Legalese Decoder Can Help
In situations like this, it’s crucial to have access to accurate and reliable information. AI Legalese Decoder can help by providing a clear and concise summary of the relevant laws and regulations related to mental health and addiction. With its advanced natural language processing capabilities, it can quickly analyze complex legal documents and extract key information, allowing you to focus on finding a solution rather than wading through legalese.
Conclusion
I’m hoping that someone can offer some guidance or support in this difficult situation. I feel like I’m at a crossroads, and I’m not sure which direction to take. I want to get my mom the help she needs, but it seems like the system is stacked against her. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get her the support she needs, and I hope that AI Legalese Decoder can be a valuable tool in my quest for justice and compassion.
Speed-Dial AI Lawyer (470) 835 3425 FREE
FREE Legal Document translation
Try Free Now: Legalese tool without registration
Please provide the content you would like me to rewrite, and I’ll create a formatted version with headings and add more details to double its length, highlighting how AI Legalese Decoder can assist with the situation.
Once you provide the content, I’ll get started!
(Note: If you don’t provide content, I can create a sample text to demonstrate the rewritten format.)
Speed-Dial AI Lawyer (470) 835 3425 FREE
FREE Legal Document translation
****** just grabbed a
If you’re in PA, USA, then it sounds like the issue you’re having is that she IS an addict. PA says you can’t 302 someone for addiction treatment, so if they’re able to say “well I think this is clearly because of the meth, not because of untreated schizophrenia,” then the physician who conducts the initial intake examination can wash their hands of the matter. You may not be able to force her to accept treatment without pursuing guardianship over her.
NAL I work in behavioral health. First I am really sorry this is happening to you. It sounds very frustrating and must be scary. Second what state are you in? A 302 sounds like PA and the criteria to meet a 302 hold are roughly:
Suicidal or homicidal ideation with plan or intent, inability to care for oneself (see ‘grave disability’), and self mutilation. This criteria has to be met in the moment of assessment so if she isn’t demonstrating that behavior they likely will not hold her.
What I suspect is happening is the care systems are over burdened where you are, and she isn’t meeting the criteria at the time of assessment. You may be able to find some help from a local social services office. Personally, I would hit up social services seek out case management services and a licensed clinical social worker to assess her and provide her basic services, and find an attorney, and consult each party regarding conservatorship.
If you’re in Allegheny county there is a mobile crisis team that could better triage assess her and be able to point you in the right direction in terms of services for her/ you, and they may be better equipped to establish rapport with her. Treatment is very scary for people and it takes a lot of trust building to get a client to go.
I’m sorry I couldn’t provide any real help and I hope commenting inspires better answers
It is very difficult to get help for people who have no insight or motivation to seek treatment or are not at risk of immediate self harm and meet criteria for involuntary commitment. Sadly, you have to wait for one of these conditions to apply.
This is a rough situation. Being an addict isn’t, in itself, evidence of incapacity. Neither is living with schizophrenia. Still, she’s not in a good way and is putting herself at risk of getting shot by someone with a ring camera and a vigilante complex.
Your best avenue is probably a conservatorship or guardianship, given that she appears to be incapable of self-care in an unmedicated/self-medicated condition.
I do think a consult with a local family / elder law attorney who knows the local judiciary well might be your best course of action. These processes are designed to be biased against granting a conservatorship/guardianship as a protection of individual liberty, but the deep psychiatric history paired with the recent deterioration may be enough to move the needle.
My parents have the same issue with my brother. He is 34 and schizophrenic due to Meth use. He IS a liability because he has harmed my mother. He hit her with a saw blade previously in the neck and did time in county jail for it, so we can never underestimate his abilities to harm. Of course, he refuses treatment, even when he has gotten taken in for mandatory 72 hour evaluations, nothing good ever comes from it.
He is currently living in an apartment that my parents pay for, just to keep him out of their home and off the streets (their terrible fault). But he currently screams and yells at the “people that are fucking with him.” So he is on Strike 2 of 3 with the apartment complex. At any given time, he’ll be on the streets. My main concern is that if he harms someone, will my parents be held liable because they know he is a liability?
I should also add that several Psychiatrists have refused care because they say that his Schizophrenia and psychosis is only brought on by the Meth? Yes, it’s brought on but it’s something that never gets any better, even when he has been sober during jail time…
I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. It’s so terrible to watch someone you love, particularly your mother, go through this. The one thing that you can try to do with her is always empathize when she is on a “break.” Act like you do know what is going on and help to ease her psychosis. I know it’s not much, but it may calm her at a point to get in to be seen. I know where you’re coming from, and it’s almost impossible to deal with people that do meth. Try to become more involved with the police and see if they are willing to do a mandatory evaluation the next time they come around. This may get her sober long enough to start taking her meds again.