Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas: A Family Guide to Chapter 462texasrehabs.net
Texas lets any adult ask a court to order addiction treatment for someone who refuses help, under Chapter 462 of the Health and Safety Code. You file a sworn application with the county clerk, with a physician's certificate attached. A judge or jury can order 30 to 90 days of treatment if the evidence shows the person has a chemical dependency and is likely to cause serious harm or keep deteriorating.
Watching someone you love lose control to alcohol or drugs is exhausting, and the moment usually comes when asking, pleading and ultimatums stop working. Texas law gives families a legal option for that moment. It's slower and more formal than voluntary admission, and it isn't the right choice for everyone, but for some families it's the step that finally gets a loved one into care.
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Call (832) 583-1066Court-ordered treatment guides
- What Is Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas? Chapter 462 Explained
How court-ordered rehab works in Texas under Health and Safety Code Chapter 462: who qualifies, who can file, how long it lasts and what families should know. - How to File for Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas: Step by Step
How Texas families file for court-ordered chemical dependency treatment: the physician certificate, where to file, the hearing timeline and what happens next. - Chapter 462 vs Mental Health Commitment in Texas
The difference between Texas court-ordered treatment for chemical dependency (Chapter 462) and mental health emergency detention and commitment (Chapters 573 and 574). - Emergency Detention and Protective Custody Under Texas Chapter 462
How emergency detention and protective custody work for chemical dependency in Texas: peace officer holds, warrants, the 24-hour exam and the 72-hour hearing. - How Long Does Court-Ordered Rehab Last in Texas?
Texas court-ordered chemical dependency treatment lasts at least 30 and no more than 90 days under H.B. 171. Early discharge, renewal, passes and furloughs explained. - What Happens at a Court-Ordered Treatment Hearing in Texas
What to expect at a Texas court-ordered chemical dependency treatment hearing: timing, the right to a lawyer and jury, the clear and convincing standard and possible outcomes. - Who Pays for Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas?
Who pays for court-ordered chemical dependency treatment in Texas: county court costs, reimbursement, cost bonds, private facilities and using health insurance. - Court-Ordered and Voluntary Rehab for Minors in Texas
How Texas law handles addiction treatment for minors: parental admission, self-admission at 16, release requests, court-ordered treatment and juvenile court referrals. - After a Texas Court Order: Discharge, Aftercare and Relapse
What happens when a Texas court-ordered treatment period ends: discharge, renewal, outpatient modification, and planning aftercare so recovery continues.
The process at a glance
- Make sure Chapter 462 fits: alcohol or drug addiction, with likely serious harm or continued deterioration.
- Get a physician's certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency.
- Call the county attorney's office for local steps.
- File the sworn application with the county clerk where the person lives or is found.
- Ask about protective custody if the person is at substantial risk.
- Attend the hearing, set within 14 days and held by day 30.
- If ordered, treatment lasts 30 to 90 days at an approved facility, or outpatient if the court allows.
In an emergency, call 911 or 988. Find your county's crisis line on our Texas crisis help page.
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Related reading
- What Is Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas? Chapter 462 Explained
- How to File for Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas: Step by Step
- Chapter 462 vs Mental Health Commitment in Texas
- Emergency Detention and Protective Custody Under Texas Chapter 462
- How Long Does Court-Ordered Rehab Last in Texas?
- What Happens at a Court-Ordered Treatment Hearing in Texas