Submitted by Tracie Horton , CEO / Executive Director The Adanta Group
Seeking Involuntary Treatment Through Casey ' s Law
No one experiments with drugs or alcohol with the intention of becoming an addict . For too many , experimentation can quickly progress to abuse and dependence , and then finally to addiction . Sadly , it was just this type of situation that led to the implementation of Casey ’ s Law , a concept centered around court ordered treatment . Casey ’ s Law is named for Matthew Casey Wethington who died in 2002 from a heroin overdose at the age of 23 , after refusing the efforts of his parents to get him the treatment he needed . Casey ’ s Law passed on April 9 , 2004 , taking effect July 13 , 2004 .
Why would someone in addiction not choose help ? To answer this question , you have to think about how addiction works . Addiction is a progressive , life-threatening disease characterized by drug seeking and use , despite adverse consequences . It is considered a brain disorder , because it involves functional changes to the parts of the brain involved with reward , stress and selfcontrol . During addiction , denial and distorted thinking limit a person ’ s ability to make rational decisions , including about their overall health and welfare . Over time , a person who made a voluntary decision to use substances , finds themselves having to continue to use just to feel “ normal ”. Self -control becomes impaired and addiction is well underway .
Addiction is a lot like other diseases , such as heart disease . Both disrupt the normal , healthy functioning of an organ in the body , both have serious harmful effects , and both are , in many cases , preventable and treatable . If left untreated , they can last a lifetime and may lead to death . But unlike heart disease , those
suffering from addiction may feel guilt , shame , hopelessness and desperation as they are unable to stop using despite the negative consequences ; however , hopelessness and desperation are not feelings that belong solely to an individual suffering from addiction .
In fact , friends and family often experience these same emotions when watching a loved one struggle with addiction and refuse treatment . It can be incredibly painful to see people lose control over their actions through craving and seeking out drugs , alcohol or other substances no matter what the cost – even at the risk of damaging friendships , hurting family or losing jobs . Rational thinking goes out the window and it can be difficult to grapple with seeing a loved one making harmful and dangerous decisions . When someone is an adult , there are limited options to force treatment , even if it was the best course of action . This is where Casey ’ s Law can become a lifeline for those who have lost hope of treatment for a loved one .
What is Casey ’ s Law ?
Casey ’ s Law provides a legal means of intervening with someone who is unable to recognize his or her need for treatment due to impairment . This law allows parents , relatives and / or friends to petition the court for treatment on behalf of the substance abuse-impaired person . Although court intervention for those in addiction may be likely , it may not necessarily involve treatment . Drugs and crime often go hand in hand because people who are substance abuse impaired are forced by their disease to resort to any means necessary to get the substance of choice . Most individuals who are substance use impaired receive court ordered treatment
28 • SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life february 2025