My cousin’s life is spiraling out of control because of addiction, but he refuses to acknowledge the problem. My aunt is considering legal action to force him into rehab. Do these programs actually work if someone doesn’t want to go, or is it a waste of time and money?

That’s a tough call. I’ve heard of cases where forced rehab worked, but also many where the person just relapsed right after. It might depend on the individual and the approach taken.

Forced rehab can be effective for some, but not always. It really depends on the individual and the level of support they receive. There are legal ways to commit someone to treatment in certain states, which you can read about here https://unitedrecoveryproject.com/rehab-blog/can-you-force-someone-into-rehab/ . However, addiction treatment is most successful when a person is actively engaged in their recovery. If forced rehab is the only option, it’s crucial to ensure they receive proper therapy, aftercare, and family support to increase the chances of long-term success. Instead of just focusing on legal solutions, exploring ways to encourage voluntary treatment might be the better long-term strategy.