Expert: Jan Edward Williams - 9/24/2009

Question
what can u legally do for someone who constantly drinks and goes to the hospital just to come out and start again he has drank hairspray, perfume pinesol and more washington says they have to want help  i say they dont have the capability to make those decisions yet they insist he has to want to  can i have him comitted i live in spokane washinton hes upstairs half dead probably he has been in the hospital 9 times in 09 alone!by the way rock bottom for him is death. yes hes been in rehab 4 times.

Answer
Hello Cheryl,
I am truly sorry you have to watch someone you care about drinking himself to death. In most states even drinking as severe as what you describe is not considered suicidal behavior allowing the drinker to be committed to a mental hospital. It used to be the case in New Orleans that a severe alcoholic could be committed to treatment for a period of time. I don't know what the law is on this subject in the State of Washington. I suggest you ask the State authorities. Sadly, there may be very little you can do except to not enable his drinking and take care of yourself. Check out Al-Anon, the 12 Step Program for persons in a relationship with an alcoholic (http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/), for support for you. I regret I have no good solutions for you.
Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC
www.alcoholdrugsos.com