{"id":22874,"date":"2026-11-14T09:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T09:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-denies-drug-problem-florida-options\/"},"modified":"2026-11-14T09:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T09:30:11","slug":"adult-son-denies-drug-problem-florida-options","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-denies-drug-problem-florida-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Marchman Act Attorney Florida: Adult Son Denies Drug Use"},"content":{"rendered":"<article lang=\"en\">\n<h1>Marchman Act Attorney Florida: Adult Son Denies Drug Use<\/h1>\n<p>Your adult son says he doesn&#8217;t have a drug problem, and you can see that he does. You&#8217;ve paid for treatment, tried talks and boundaries, and still got the call from a hospital or police station.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re asking whether Florida law can help, the short answer is yes, in some cases. The Marchman Act lets a family ask a court for assessment and treatment, even when the adult insists he&#8217;s fine. Whether it fits your family depends on the facts.<\/p>\n<h2>When your son says he does not have a drug problem<\/h2>\n<p>Hearing &#8220;I&#8217;m fine&#8221; while things get worse is exhausting and frightening. You may have spent years on treatment bills, interventions, and boundaries that never held. A recent overdose, relapse, or arrest may have pushed you to look for another way.<\/p>\n<p>Your deepest fear is probably the call you can&#8217;t stop from coming: an overdose, an arrest, or a night when he disappears.<\/p>\n<p>This page explains your options in plain language. It won&#8217;t replace advice about your own situation, but it can help you see your choices clearly and ask better questions.<\/p>\n<h2>Why denial makes these talks so hard<\/h2>\n<p>Denial keeps conversations going in circles, and it doesn&#8217;t settle whether help is needed. A person can be seriously struggling and still insist nothing is wrong. Each talk can end in the same argument, and you walk away more worried than before.<\/p>\n<p>Florida law addresses this directly. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.675.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675<\/a>, mere refusal of services is not, by itself, evidence of lack of judgment about the need for them. Your son&#8217;s &#8220;no&#8221; doesn&#8217;t end the question.<\/p>\n<p>Denial also doesn&#8217;t prove you are misreading what you see. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myflfamilies.com\/services\/abuse\/adult-protective-services\/how-report-adult-abuse\/what-are-my-rights\/\">Florida Department of Children and Families<\/a> says vulnerable adults with the capacity to consent may refuse services and interventions. That&#8217;s why a legal route is a separate question from whether he&#8217;s willing.<\/p>\n<h2>What you can do now, before any court is involved<\/h2>\n<p>Start with calm, specific talks and a written record. These two steps help you now, whatever your son decides.<\/p>\n<p>Calm talks focus on what you saw and when, not on labels like &#8220;addict&#8221; or &#8220;liar.&#8221; Name one concrete worry. Say what you will do, then follow through.<\/p>\n<p>Several steps help right away:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Keep naloxone in the home.<\/strong> Make sure everyone who lives with you knows how to use it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stop covering for consequences<\/strong> where it&#8217;s safe. Paying his bills or calling in sick for him can shield him from the results of his use.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoid funding use directly.<\/strong> You can still say &#8220;I love you&#8221; while you decline to hand over cash.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Write it down.<\/strong> Note dates, incidents, hospital and emergency visits, and changes in behavior. A clear record helps you think clearly and helps any lawyer or court that reviews your case.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These steps don&#8217;t replace a court process, and they can&#8217;t force treatment. They do protect your household while you decide what comes next.<\/p>\n<h2>How Florida&#8217;s Marchman Act may apply to an adult child<\/h2>\n<p>The Marchman Act is a Florida court process for people with substance abuse impairment. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.675.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.675<\/a>, the person must have lost the power of self-control with respect to substance use. The law also requires one of several serious findings, such as a real threat of harm.<\/p>\n<p>Who can file a petition for an adult is set out in a different section, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68112.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68112<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.675.html\">\u00a7 397.675<\/a> sets out the criteria for involuntary admission. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68112.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68112<\/a>, for an adult respondent, a spouse, legal guardian, any relative, a service provider, or an adult who has direct personal knowledge of the respondent&#8217;s substance abuse impairment and prior course of assessment and treatment may file. The petition lays out your reasons and facts under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68141.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68141<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In Miami-Dade, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamidadeclerk.gov\/clerk\/mental-health-court.page\">Miami-Dade Clerk of Court<\/a> directs these petitions to the Clerk&#8217;s Office Probate Court. Your son has a right to a lawyer at every stage, under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.681.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.681<\/a>, though he may waive that right if he is present and the court finds the waiver is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.<\/p>\n<p>The court must schedule a hearing within 10 court working days unless it grants a continuance, under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68151.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68151<\/a>. If the court finds the conditions proved by clear and convincing evidence, it may order up to 90 days of treatment, under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.697.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.697<\/a>. This is a court process with notice, a hearing, and rules. It is not a quick fix.<\/p>\n<h2>Signs it may be time to look at legal options<\/h2>\n<p>Look at legal options when the danger keeps returning and offers of care keep getting refused. A pattern tells you more than any single bad day.<\/p>\n<p>Warning signs include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Repeated overdoses, hospital stays, or emergency visits tied to drug use.<\/li>\n<li>Threats to himself or others, or dangerous driving while impaired.<\/li>\n<li>Legal trouble that keeps repeating.<\/li>\n<li>Disappearance, homelessness, or refusal of every offer of care while his condition gets worse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These signs match the statute&#8217;s focus on lost self-control and real risk of harm. For more detail, read the signs it&#8217;s time to file guide.<\/p>\n<p>A court order can also carry consequences beyond treatment. Know this before a case moves forward.<\/p>\n<h2>Talk with Robinson Casey about your family&#8217;s situation<\/h2>\n<p>Your next step is deciding whether a petition fits your family&#8217;s facts. Robinson Casey is a Florida law firm that focuses on Marchman Act petitions and guardianship matters, serving South Florida and statewide. Richard J. Casey III, Esq. is the responsible lawyer for this page.<\/p>\n<p>For a broader overview, see the <a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/\">Marchman Act attorney guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Common questions<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Can a court order treatment for an adult son in Florida?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes, in some cases. A court may order up to 90 days of involuntary treatment if the criteria are proved by clear and convincing evidence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does my son have to admit he has a problem?<\/strong><br \/>\nNo. The petition rests on the petitioner&#8217;s reasons and facts, not on the respondent&#8217;s admission.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can a parent file a petition?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes. Florida law allows any relative to file for an adult, under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0300-0399\/0397\/Sections\/0397.68112.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 397.68112<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If your son&#8217;s denial has you stuck, a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue is available. Reach out through our <a href=\"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/contact\/\">contact page<\/a> or call (561) 849-4149 to talk through your family&#8217;s situation.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Results in prior cases do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. Please consult a licensed Florida attorney for advice specific to your situation. Robinson Casey, 6400 Congress Ave #2050, Boca Raton, FL 33487.<\/em><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><!-- chg:section-siblings --><\/p>\n<nav aria-label=\"More in this section\">\n<h2>More in this section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-denies-using-can-i-petition-marchman-act-florida\/\">My Adult Son Says He Is Not Using, but I Know He Is: Can I Still Petition in Florida?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-living-at-home-refuses-rehab-florida\/\">My Adult Son Lives With Me and Refuses Rehab: Can a Court Order Treatment in Florida?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-refuses-marchman-act-hearing-florida\/\">My Adult Son Will Not Go to Court: What a Marchman Act Hearing Involves in Florida<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-says-rehab-never-goes-florida\/\">My Adult Son Says He Will Go to Rehab but Never Does: What Florida Law Allows<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-worse-marchman-act-options\/\">My Adult Son Keeps Getting Worse and Will Not Leave the House: Marchman Act Options in Florida<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<p><!-- \/chg:section-siblings --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Adult son says he has no drug problem? Learn how Florida&#8217;s Marchman Act works, what to do now, and how Robinson Casey can help you decide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":14,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-denies-drug-problem-florida-options\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/es\/abogado-ley-marchman\/hijo-adulto-niega-adiccion-florida-opciones\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/robinsoncasey.com\/guides\/marchman-act-attorney\/adult-son-denies-drug-problem-florida-options\/\"}]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"about\": [{\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Marchman Act\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marchman_Act\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Involuntary commitment\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Involuntary_commitment\"}], \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Richard J. 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