How can I get my DH sectioned?

[silverribbonxmastree]

My STBXH has a terrible coke addiction. He isn't functioning anymore. Just shuts himself in the house (I moved out with kids) and ignores the world. He suffers with extreme paranoia but won't accept he has a problem. It is only a matter of time before things implode (ie - not paying bills, dealing with emails,...).

I don't hate him but I can't support him anymore due to his extreme behaviour - he needs professional help and to recognise he has a problem to be able to move forward. I worry that he will end up dead at the rate he is going.

So to my problem - divorce proceedings have been issued (and ignored). We will need to sell the house as part of the divorce. I can't access the house to get my stuff as he has locked me out and his behaviour is v unpredictable (sometimes ok sometimes volatile). I will try to get some kind of court order in this regard.

As he doesn't leave the house (or v rarely to get food) his behaviour is restricted to the house. He has trashed the house. Everything is upside down.

For his own sake, he needs to be sectioned. Any advice greatly appreciated?

Speak to your lawyer about an occupation order to get him out and you back in

I have told him that I will pay for him to go to rehab

No! No! NO!

He needs to do it for himself. You cannot save someone from their own destructive habits. They have to want to do it for themself.

Why do you want to save this man instead of you and the kids. You need therapy.

Sorry to be harsh, but it's the truth.

He can be sectioned temporarily and have the hearing in hospital to make it permanent or not.

Eh? 'Sectioned temporarily and have the hearing to make it permanent' No-one is detained under MHA permanently as thank God this is still a free country! It would be for a maximum of 28 days under S2.

Any hearing that takes place is in fact to be discharged from section rather than detained longer. Anyone who is detained has a right of appeal to a review tribunal who can discharge the section.

It is also incorrect that the police could remove someone from their own home to a mental health hospital. They do not have that power. They can arrest someone if they have committed a crime or they can remove someone from a public place (S136) to a place of safety for assessment but not from their own home. A warrant from a magistrate would be required for that.

People who are mentally ill have the same rights as other people and cannot just be removed from their homes and permanently incarcerated. I would not want to be involved in a system where that was the case.

@SoEverybodyDance

He can be sectioned temporarily and have the hearing in hospital to make it permanent or not.

Wth?!?! Nobody has EVER been permanently sectioned in this country!

A good idea would be to contact your nearest drug & alcohol service.
They will be able advise you completely & accurately!
An outreach worker may be able to break down barriers with your ex too & get a foot in the door.
Some areas also have funding to fast track users into rehab via the outreach programme.

It'd be useful to put a referral into the safeguarding team. In the very least they'll be made aware of him.

Are you getting any support? AA have a sister organisation called Al Anon which supports family members of alcoholics.

I'm sure NA / CA would have something similar if you phoned them.

Sorry for the lack of response. I've been out and about today. I managed to get into the house today and collected a few items as he was a bit more amenable today but completely irrational the whole time I was there.

Not much support at the moment to be honest. I will probably seek a mental health assessment at some point for him.

At least I have a decent solicitor.