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King County Chemical Abuse & Dependency Services
INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT SERVICES
Criteria for Involuntary Commitment | Conditions | The Process | Contact Information | Frequently Called Numbers
A person may be involuntarily committed if it is determined that the person is chemically dependent and at least one of the following additional criteria exists:
- The person presents a likelihood of serious harm or is gravely disabled by alcohol or drug addiction.
- The person has threatened or inflicted physical harm on another and is likely to inflict physical harm on another unless committed.
Involuntary commitment is a long and involved process, and it may take time to place the person into treatment. It is only appropriate to seek involuntary treatment after all voluntary options have been exhausted.
- Chemical Dependency Involuntary Treatment Services (CDITS) are authorized under the Washington State Alcoholism, Intoxication and Drug Addiction Act, RCW 70.96A.
- It will be a decision of the court whether treatment is ordered.
- Factual and convincing information must be presented in order to prove that a person is in need of involuntary commitment.
- The contracted state facility is Pioneer Center North in Sedro Wooley, WA. A bed must be available prior to initiation of the court process.
Community referrals are investigated by Chemical Dependency Specialists. Upon evaluation of the information received, a determination will be made as to whether or not a case is viable. If the case meets criteria, the chemical dependency commitment specialist will take a declaration from the informant, and will conduct an outreach to the alcoholic / addict. This allows the CDITS staff to observe the individual in his or her own environment, gather more information, and give the person an opportunity to go to treatment voluntarily. After the outreach is completed, the CDITS staff may help the person to enter treatment voluntarily or, if needed, will process the case for hearing. A court hearing will be held to examine the evidence and to hear the testimony of the witnesses and the alcoholic/addicted person. If grounds for commitment have been met, the court will issue an Order of Involuntary Commitment for a period of up to 60 days.
The CDITS office operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Referrals and questions may be directed to the Involuntary Treatment Services office at (206) 296-7612 during business hours. For emergency assistance after 5:00 p.m., inquiries may be directed to the Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Help Line, (206) 722-3700.
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