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Discussion

Detox in Jail?

Hey all.

I'm a new grad from a practical nursing program but the amount of information that I don't know far surpasses what I do.

Sadly, my little sister (23) is currently detoxing at a local correctional facility. (IV heroin and anything else she can get) I've refused to bail her out in fear that she will end up dying if she doesn't get help.

To make a long story short, I'm wondering what the chances are that she'll get any help while in there? Even just symptom management..... I just read some horror stories of people dying from withdrawals while incarcerated.....

It's been about 48 hours since she was arrested and shes telling my parents shes getting no treatment. Unfortunately, there is never any way of knowing if she is being truthful.

I am suddenly sick thinking that she could be suffering without so much as Imodium to help get her through. Mind you, I know some suffering is to be expected and even necessary, but...... I remember the day she was born, I can't handle thinking the worst....

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I think I am going to try to have her involuntarily committed to a rehab facility, but it will be weeks before she's transferred if it even works.

Sorry to be all over the place, I've been a member of AN for a long time, but I rarely make my own threads. Just really need some information for my own sanity.....

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    • Featured Replies

    If it is opiate detox and not etoh or benzodiazepines, chances are she may feel she is dying but, won't.

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    • Author
    If it is opiate detox and not etoh or benzodiazepines, chances are she may feel she is dying but, won't.

    Thank you. I'm finding it difficult to put my nurse hat on. She's 48 hours in, so I'm hoping the worst is over, but who knows.

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    For opiates, mostly it is symptom management and VS monitoring. If needed, IV fluids. But it is the ETOH and benzo addicts we worry about dying.

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    (((Hugs to you, OP for caring)))

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    • Experts
    Any info would be greatly appreciated. I think I am going to try to have her involuntarily committed to a rehab facility, but it will be weeks before she's transferred if it even works.

    As already noted, opioid withdrawal is not considered a life-threatening condition. She might feel like she's dying, she might wish she would, but it's not going to kill her. The symptom management that is often provided is basically done so as a courtesy; it's not medically necessary.

    Are you sure that you can involuntarily commit her to a drug treatment center? In some states, that's not possible (the involuntary commitment laws in the state in which I'm currently living and practicing specifically exclude substance abuse/dependence disorders -- it's just not a possibility). Even if you can legally do so, in my experience (30+ years in psych and substance abuse treatment), forcing and/or coercing people into treatment is rarely helpful. Individuals have to want to get help and make changes.

    Best wishes!

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    I don't want to sound cold, but Jail is what she needs. Been a psych nurse of 30 years. Sometimes you have to get knock down pretty hard, before seeing the light yea, I got a problem. I need help”. Jail is one of the best motivators for sobriety. No lying to yourself how serious your illness/addiction is.

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    No advice, but ((hugs))).

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    Sorry to preach, but yea, she will receive treatment in Jail (have work jail in the past). You'll probably hear stories of bad she is treated, but again, that part of pathology of her illness.

    Hopefully she will receive some sort of condition of release that include monitoring. This is going best chance at recovery.

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    Sorry to preach, but yea, she will receive treatment in Jail (have work jail in the past). You'll probably hear stories of bad she is treated, but again, that part of pathology of her illness.

    Hopefully she will receive some sort of condition of release that include monitoring. This is going best chance at recovery.

    Yep. Also, if the jail is really worried about her detox process they'll ship her out to a hospital for medical management - we get detoxing inmates a fair bit on my floor.

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    ((Hugs))

    this must be super duper tough to watch. I think the best thing is sitting tight.

    The withdrawal will be painful but she won't die.

    Alcohol withdrawal is another beast of its own.

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    I think I am going to try to have her involuntarily committed to a rehab facility, but it will be weeks before she's transferred if it even works.
    It doesn't work that way.

    Chemical dependency is not cause to deny someone their civil rights. While acutely intoxicated, she can be held against her will. If she is deemed an imminent and present danger to herself (that is, gravely disabled or suicidal), she can be held against her will. But simply being in the throes of drug addiction? Not in any jurisdiction of which I'm aware.

    And the truth is, it wouldn't work. The only means to sustained recovery from chemical dependency is via a personal decision to do the lifelong hard work of recovery... hitting the so-called "rock bottom" from AA.

    You simply cannot force somebody into sobriety.

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