Legal Question in Family Law in Mississippi
Alcoholic Family Issue
My mother has an alcohol problem where she blacks out and becomes a very mean and embarrassing person (sometimes physically and verbally abusive to the entire family, especially my dad. Sometimes it gets so bad the cops are called. I love her very much but think she needs some serious help. This was a huge problem when I was in high school and after she went into the hospital she wasn't going to drink again. But, when they moved to Mississippi it started again (5 yrs). She also started drinking in the first place because she has an anxiety problem, which I have inherited. I find it very hard to try to talk to her about it.It has ripped our family apart and all I do is worry about her and how she treats my father. I feel so bad for him but at the same time feel kind of sorry for what she is going through because I kind of understand the anxiety issues, but also think the whole thing actually causes my anxiety because I am always worried that something terrible might happen and I didnt stop it. He always thinks positively and thinks it will get better. I told him I am there for him to help if he needs support to stand up to her and put her in rehab. I was wondering what the Mississippi law was for putting a family member in rehab?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Alcoholic Family Issue
Call or go see your County's Chancery Court Clerk and/or County Prosecutor.
Re: Alcoholic Family Issue
Consider going to a local Al-Anon meeting. Their contact information is:
MISSISSIPPI AREA SITE: www.msafg.org
BILOXI - District 6 AIS/LDC (228-396-0823) 15900 Lemoyne Blvd, 39564.
D�IBERVILLE- Gulf Coast AIS/LDC MS (228-861-2278) P O BOX 6242, 39540,
Miss. Code Annot. 1972 Section 41-30-27 sets out the test for involuntary committment of an alcoholic for more than 5 days:
The physicians' certificates shall state that they examined the person within two (2) days of the certificate date and shall set out the facts to support the physicians' conclusion that the person is an alcoholic or drug addict who has lost the power of self-control with respect to the use of alcoholic beverages or habit-forming drugs and that unless immediately committed he is likely to inflict physical harm upon himself or others.
Often times, an involuntary committment is commenced and the subject is in the process convinced to participate voluntarily in order to avoid an involuntary committment. If the subject does not agree to voluntary committment or treatment, two doctors will have to examine the subject shortly before the hearing and provide affidavits giving their opinion that the test has been met. The County prosecutor Mark Watts would be a good start. His telephone number is 762-2373.
Good luck
Al Pettigrew
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