My son is 26 years old and on methamphetamine: How can I help him?

No one can save another person especially from the consequences of their actions including addiction. Sometimes a crisis is an opportunity for change. Safe yourself..

I agree with the comments shared here. I unfortunately had to live through the torture of letting go and watching my loved one suffer the consequences. It took all my strength (after tolerating abuse) to give the the ultimatum of to live in a safe place or go out for another fix. They were only welcomed back when they were ready to make a change. Gratefully they returned alive; but not unharmed and traumatized.
My loved one has a dual diagnosis. Recovery is ongoing ...

A common question we hear is "my family member was put on a 5150. What does that mean, and what do I do about it?"

In California, the involuntary commitment of individuals in mental health care facilities is governed by the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. It's also referred to as "a 5150" after its place in the California Welfare and Institutions Code.

This page outlines the LPS involuntary treatment process, including the 5150 and 72-hour hold -- and beyond -- as well as the legal rights of someone who has been evaluated and hospitalized under this law.

This guide was synthesized by NAMI Sonoma County staff from a variety of sources related to involuntary hospitalization in California, including from the LPS Act itself; please review the resources at the bottom of this page for more information.

This guide should not be taken as legal advice, but rather as a general and basic overview of what individuals and families may want to know about involuntary hospitalization.

Specific questions about involuntary hospitalization may be directed to the NAMI Warmline at xxxxYou may also contact the Sonoma County Patients Rights Advocate xxxxyou may be asked to leave a message.

What is a 5150?
Under California law, certain designated professionals can place a person in an involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold if they are experiencing a mental health crisis and evaluated to be a danger to others, themselves, or are gravely disabled.

This hold is also commonly referred to as a "5150," named after §5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code. These professionals include police officers, licensed members of a crisis team, or other mental health professionals authorized by the county.

Beginning a 5150

For someone to be placed in a 72-hour hold, they must meet one of three criteria. The professional must believe that there is probable cause that, due to a mental health disorder, the individual is at least one of the following:

A danger to themselves (e.g., following a suicide attempt);
A danger to others (e.g., communicating a specific plan to harm someone else);
Gravely disabled, that is, as a result of a mental health and/or a severe substance use disorder, they are unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, shelter, personal safety, or necessary medical care. (Learn more about this here.)
The person placed in a 72-hour hold must be advised of their rights. This means the authority taking them into custody must complete paperwork stating the circumstances under which the person's condition was called to the attention of the designated professional; the probable cause to believe the person meets one or more of the criteria; and the facts upon which this probable cause is based. Mere conclusions without supporting facts are not sufficient.

According to the LPS Act, when someone is first taken into custody:

...[they] shall be provided, by the person who takes him or her into custody, the following information orally in a language or modality accessible to the person. If the person cannot understand an oral advisement, the information shall be provided in writing. The information shall be in substantially the following form:

"My name is [name of professional]. I am a [peace officer/mental health professional] with [name of agency]. You are not under criminal arrest, but I am taking you for an examination by mental health professionals at [name of facility]. You will be told your rights by the mental health staff."

During a 5150

The person taken into custody is held for up to 72 hours for evaluation. When someone is held for evaluation, the facility or hospital is required to do an evaluation of that person, taking into account their medical, psychological, educational, social, financial, and legal situation.

The facility does not have to hold the patient for the full 72 hours if the professional in charge of treatment believes the patient no longer meets one of the aforementioned criteria (i.e., they no longer require evaluation or treatment).

During this time, the person will receive whatever treatment and care their condition requires for the full period they are held. They have undeniable rights as a patient, as well as additional patients' rights. Facilities may deny certain rights only when good cause exists. See the section "Patients' Rights" for more information.

By the end of this period, one of the following things must happen:

The individual is released;
The individual signs in as a voluntary patient, and continues to receive treatment at the facility;
The individual may be put on a 14-day involuntary hold (also called a "5250" or a "certification for intensive treatment"). See the next section for information on this process.

@keepfreakinggoing
This website will not allow me to post phone numbers hence they are replaced by xxxx but I hope this helps if this is some kind of information you need. I apologize in advance if it is offensive, I have been fighting addiction for over two with 20+ times in treatment centers. I’ve walked through hell but learned a lot along the way. Wish you and your son well it will be a journey, don’t give up if you don’t want to, keep going.

Does he rely on you for anything? You can cut him off if he doesn't get help. There are interventionists. Even a t.v. program was produced featuring such "in-home" efforts, in real time and with real people/professionals. There may be others who provide similar specialty services. "Hitting bottom" often stimulates a willingness to submit to treatment. If he watches t.v., he might be willing to watch some of them. IMO, they are well done and often show positive outcomes, but not always.
Growing up, did you notice if he struggled to pay attention, to sit still, was he emotionally vulnerable/sensitive, if he found something which fascinated him, could he hyperfocus on that task? Some of those with ADHD, are known for becoming absorbed in that kind of activity. He could have undiagnosed/untreated ADHD. A correct medical evaluation could be helpful. Ultimately, you are not responsible for his choices. Al-Anon is a (free) self-help organization which has been instrumental in freeing victims of their dependence on "The addict", using the family addiction/disease model.

@jtimko80 being supportive and available for him when he hits bottom. As other posters have said he will quit when he’s ready, hits rock bottom, and unfortunately or fortunately he overdoses and ends up in treatment. It’s a shame our mental health system has fallen apart particularly due to the current administration.

In my family or families a few of them has the mental health like seeing people who are not there. One picks the best way and others just live inside a room at their house.

My brother, who is close to 60+ but doesn’t go to a doctor or no friends but he goes for his mental meds twice a day. He can’t drive but sky brother goes to him. Can you imagine, whose problem started when he was a kid and then came more and more. I think my brother never took illegal drugs but that comes to my families.

Greg D. @greg1956

@vrl88 I’m curious why you went off the psych meds if they were helping you. What were you taking and what were you diagnosed with?

My son was addicted for 8 years….. nobody could help him until he wanted to help himself.
He and his sister are very very close and it took for her to say ..until he gets a detox nurse and a counsellor that she no longer wanted to see him ruin his life and ours. He was shot, and it wasn’t until he was going before court he realised he needed to tell the judge he had been receiving help. They can’t go cold turkey usually need marajuana to replace. He said himself it would never have worked with the counsellor who was trained for PTSD and came highly recommended from people whom had been in the army. Surprisingly he was an occupational Therapist … so don’t be fooled by titles
He said to me he will never not crave Ice it’s the best feeling in the world…..
Then a couple of years later….
Mum I could not think of anything worse. We knew he wouldn’t be going back to building houses and reading plans until he was right….so he did plastering something his mind could just focus on for a few years.
They have to lose everything they have ….
And almost everyone they know…hit rock bottom becfor they are ready .
From one mum to another all we can do is tell them ..I will always love you but you have to want to change …oh and hide the credit cards .
Take care

I used for three years and experienced severe delusions I must say the only thing that helped me was being made to attend a mental health clinic and was put on a treatment authority where they give me a shit every month to block the drug meth it really helped and I don’t feel the need to use as it’s pointless all the affects are blocked. And I got my life back involuntary admissions several times git me to this point u may need to go down the route to help your son. I hated every minute of it but I must say it did help me.