Is There a Marchman Act in Georgia?

Can You Force Someone Into Addiction Rehab in Georgia?

Involuntary commitment is a legal process that allows a court order to mandate a person to substance abuse or mental health treatment. In the US, every state has unique involuntary commitment laws. One you might’ve heard about is called the Marchman Act.

Also called the Hal S. Marchman Act and Other Drugs Services Act of 1993, this law is specific to Florida.

If you have a loved one struggling in the Peach State, and refusing help, it makes sense to ask: Is there a Marchman Act in Georgia?

The short answer is no, there is no “Marchman Act in Georgia.” However, there are laws that can be used to help a loved one get treatment mandated by the legal system in certain instances.

Our resource from Ingrained Recovery will break down the details and help you get all of the information you need regarding local laws so that you can help your loved one get the quality care they need and deserve.

And remember, for immediate support and consultation, we are only a confidential call away.

Is there a Marchman Act in Georgia? Understanding Local Involuntary Commitment Laws

Can you force a person into addiction rehab in Georgia? As of 2025, there is no law identical to the Marchman Act.

However, people in Georgia can be committed involuntarily if they are in crisis or under other select circumstances.

Generally, this is applicable if a person with a substance abuse or mental health problem:

• Is evidenced to be a danger to themselves or someone else.
• Is unable to care for their physical health and safety.

In Georgia, this is typically initiated by a doctor or law enforcement professional. However, you can petition the court to commit someone for an involuntary mental evaluation.

What’s the Initiation Process for Involuntary Treatment in GA?

You might want to know what to expect if a loved one is (or may be) subject to involuntary treatment in Georgia. There are three ways the process can be initiated:

1. A doctor fills out Form 1013 and submits it to the probate court.
2. A law enforcement officer who witnesses a person committing a crime believes they may have a mental illness and believes that they should be taken in for an evaluation, rather than being arrested.
3. Two persons who have witnessed a person’s behavior within the past 48 hours file for an involuntary assessment (called an Order to Apprehend). In this case, your loved one will be taken to a medical facility for a 48-hour hold, where they will receive an evaluation from a professional.

If the court agrees that treatment is necessary, a person may be mandated to inpatient or outpatient treatment at a substance abuse or mental health facility. This decision will be made during a court hearing.

What is the Purpose of Involuntary Commitment for Addiction?

Involuntary commitment for any person is a sensitive, complex issue. Yet it serves a crucial purpose, which is to help someone with serious impairments from a mental health or substance use disorder get treatment when they aren’t in a state of mind to seek treatment for themselves.

In some instances, involuntary commitment may not be viable. Or, it might not be the right solution for your loved one at this time. When this is the case, there are other ways to help a person you’re concerned about.

Helping a Friend or Family Member Get Addiction or Mental Health Treatment

If you haven’t yet talked with your loved one about treatment, it’s an important first step. Depending on the situation, helping a friend or family member with mental disorder or substance abuse issues could involve:

Staging a Drug Intervention

Staging an intervention can help you encourage a loved one to seek treatment. Working with a professional drug interventionist is ideal, as they can guide you through the process. Usually, smaller interventions (about six people or fewer) are ideal.

We can help you find a drug interventionist in GA if needed. Ingrained Recovery can also secure a treatment placement for your loved one at our inpatient treatment and drug detox center, assuming that they agree to go to rehab following the intervention.

Help Overcoming Treatment Barriers

Sometimes, people with drug or alcohol addiction avoid treatment because of negative past experiences and other barriers, such as a lack of health insurance coverage or spiraling health care costs. In this case, finding solutions can help a person seek voluntary care.

Ingrained Recovery takes a trauma-informed approach, and we accept most insurances. We’re happy to talk with your loved one (or you, as a spouse, relative, or friend) about the treatment process.

We can provide tours of our facility. Our team is also here to discuss what a typical day in treatment is like and how our center is different.

Call Ingrained Recovery for Effective Treatment Support

Ingrained Recovery uses a highly personalized, whole-person approach to substance use and dual-diagnosis treatment. Located in Eastman, GA, our medical and mental health professionals are here to support your loved one through each stage of the recovery process.

Call our confidential admissions line to get help for a loved one today. Our team will be happy to give you more information about our programs, discuss insurance and payment solutions, or assist in any other way we can, so please reach out to get support now.

FAQs About Involuntary Treatment in Georgia

What happens to someone who is “Baker Acted?”

The Baker Act (also called the Florida Mental Health Act of 1971) enables a temporary hold for someone who is having a mental health crisis. If a person is “Baker Acted,” they can be held for up to 72 hours.

The purpose of the Florida Baker Act is to help a person get emergency mental health services and to provide medical stabilization, as well as a mental health evaluation, if they can’t consent to care. It reserves involuntary commitment for those at risk of harming themselves or someone else.

While there’s no law called the Baker Act in Georgia, a person can be subject to a temporary hold and evaluation in the state.

What happens if my loved one is involuntarily committed for mental illness or drug addiction in Georgia?

If a judge agrees, your loved one will first be admitted for a psychiatric hold and evaluation. As long as medical providers and the chief medical officer believe that the person meets criteria for further treatment, they’ll file a petition for involuntary treatment in the probate court.

Inpatient treatment orders can last for up to six months, whereas outpatient treatment orders can last for up to one year.

What is the Marchman Act in simple terms?

In Florida, the Marchman Act is a law that lets families petition the court for emergency commitment and treatment for youth and adults struggling with substance abuse issues who cannot help themselves.

What is the 1013 law in Georgia?

In Georgia, the “1013 law” most often refers to a document (called Form 1013) and process for involuntary mental health holds. House Bill 1013 also refers to broader mental health legislation in the state.

What is Georgia’s version of the Baker Act?

Although we don’t have the Baker Act in Georgia, processes like 1013 are used to help persons get psychiatric care when mental health or substance abuse impairment interferes with their ability to understand their need for and seek treatment.

References

1. Involuntary treatment: Athens-Clarke County, GA – Official Website. Involuntary Treatment | Athens-Clarke County, GA – Official Website. (n.d.).
2. Executive summary introduction. (n.d.-b).
3. 6007 inpatient hospitalization: public guardianship 5800 Manual. 6007 Inpatient Hospitalization: Policy and Manual Management System (PAMMS). (n.d.).
4. Mental health initiatives. Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. (n.d.).