Does anyone else have a problem with sz AND alcohol abuse? My son likes to mix his meds with alcohol. Had to call the police last night. They were saying we should file the marchman act? Anyone have to do this? As if the mental illness isn’t enough to deal with, my son wants to mix alcohol with his meds which causes him to go bat shit crazier!
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Son doing the same
He is driving me crazy
His medications stop working with alcohol
And he doesn’t know that he is sick.
Keeps telling me one beer will do nothing
So hard
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I looked up the Marchman Act. It’s a Florida-specific law that allows for:
The Marchman Act is a Florida civil procedure that allows people to petition the court for help for someone they believe may have a substance abuse problem. The act provides for both voluntary and involuntary assessment, stabilization, and treatment for adults and youth who are severely impaired due to substance abuse.
A petition can be filed by a spouse, relative, legal guardian, friend, sheriff, or treatment center representative. The petition may be filed if the person has:
- Lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use
- Inflicted or threatened to inflict physical harm on themselves or another
- Their judgment is so impaired they are incapable of appreciating the need for care and making a rational decision regarding such care
- Refused to seek voluntary care
It might not be a bad idea, especially if “Inflicted or threatened to inflict physical harm on themselves or another” is true.
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Yes my loved one has co-occurring substance use disorder ,it can be alcohol ,marijuana or a whole range of others usually he’s unmedicated .but when he has been medicated he also may choose to use a substance as well.
Over the years he has been through multiple different rehab programs which he has learned a lot of tools from the programs.
My loved one has anasognosia so sometimes admitting to an alcohol or drug problem rather than trying to realize he has schizoaffective disorder has helped for some treatment.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this if your person has been Med compliant but now using alcohol the Marchman act might not be a bad idea.
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My son got into using weed and mushrooms- stopped his sz medications- was baker acted, marchment acted and arrested for his bizarre and dangerous behavior- he stopped listening and understanding reason. He lost his apartment and has been in jail since January- it’s a common problem with sz using drugs and or alcohol- I’m sorry your also going through this.
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Let me just say marchment act did nothing but keep him in hospital overnight and sent home next day-still psychotic-
My ex with sz started drinking, and the results were disastrous. He continued to drink after we split up, but thank God someone got through to him and he quit. (His situation was that the family had already dealt with alcoholism with his dad. I think one of his brothers was able to convince him to quit).
Anyway, he joined AA and found a lot of fellowship there. I don’t know your family situation, but some kind of group therapy could help.
So you actually went through the marchment act and they sent him home the next day?!! What the $#%^! So I don’t know if this is an avenue to go through. I really don’t need more paperwork to do just to end up with an even angrier SZ person in my house cuz I sent him without him wanting to go.
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That sounds like my son. When he mixes alcohol with his meds he is SO much worse! He gets into a blind rage and there is no talking him off the cliff. The filth that comes out of his mouth! I keep hoping he will just pass out, but for some reason the meds and alcohol keep him going and going. His energizer battery never stops! I am so tired of living like this. Actually, I don’t feel like I’m living, just existing from one drama to the next. Haven’t won the lottery yet, so I still have to keep him in my home.
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If only my son would admit there was a problem with the drinking. I understand why he does it. He just wants to escape from the voices in his head. This disease is just the worse.
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So, he was living in an apartment on his own. He was acting bizarre outside and telling his neighbors he had taken a lot of drugs. So one of his neighbors called and the police marchment acted him. With the marchment act there is no requirement for what the do or how long they stay. It might be better to baker act or xparte cause at least they have ann psychological assessment and keep for 3 days. It’s florida law and May be different in your state. how old is your son? My sons been in jail since January for attacking his neighbors- it’s only a misdemeanor at this point. He’s lost his housing and we won’t take him in because he’s not on his medication and is unpredictable at best. We have choices and boundaries are enforceable when they are for my protection. I love my son and tried all last year and he repeatedly and continuously refuses medication and help. He’s going to be homeless when released unless the judge orders court ordered treatments and housing. I have written the judge, spoken to attorney and social worker at jail. So depending on your sons age and if you have guardianship will determine what you can do. Unfortunately we can’t make someone take medication and stop drugs and alcohol if they choose not to. Remember that we did not cause it, we can’t control it and we can’t cure it. I attend Alanon for my sanity. I wish you well.
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My son also refuses to take his meds and wants to drink beer all day. I have given up hope right now. It is so hard to see this. My son talks super loud and angry to his voices all day now. Just isolates himself, talks to no one but me nowadays. It is too big a burden for me right now, and my anxiety is thru the roof. I will go to a support group hopefully soon and do some yoga. It is one hurdle after another with them. This has been a rough month with him, he has stolen things off neighbors porch, I have called the police on him twice, and many other crazy stuff. It helps we are not alone, but I never expected anything this awful! We have to stay strong, I guess that is the only option.
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