Involuntary Commitment Information/Education

Programs that provide information through a variety of channels on the conditions under which people believed to be a danger to themselves or to others due to a psychiatric disorder can be placed under temporary detention, so that the proper authorities can determine whether decisions should be made for the individual under a legal framework. The detention order may also be called a 72-hour hold, an involuntary hold, a psychiatric hold, an emergency hold, an emergency commitment or an emergency petition. The legal process by which commitment takes place varies by jurisdiction, but the subject of such orders is typically entitled to legal counsel and may challenge by appeal. In some states, individuals with severe substance use disorders may be subject to involuntary commitment for treatment if they are found to be at risk for a fatal opioid overdose.