A close friend of mine is struggling with addiction, and their family is considering legal intervention. I know the Baker Act is often used for mental health crises, but can it also be applied to someone with a substance abuse problem?

It’s a tough call. Addiction and mental health are so closely linked that sometimes intervention is necessary.

Yes, the https://unitedrecoveryproject.com/rehab-blog/baker-act/ can be applied to individuals with addiction if their substance use has led to a severe mental health crisis. While the law was initially designed for psychiatric emergencies, it is sometimes used in cases where a person’s addiction makes them a danger to themselves or others. If a medical professional determines that the individual requires immediate intervention, they can be placed in a facility for evaluation and treatment. However, long-term recovery requires voluntary commitment, so this measure is usually a temporary solution to get someone into care before they harm themselves.