Quick answer: Someone needs rehab when they cannot control their drinking or drug use, keep using despite harm to their health, work or family, or get withdrawal symptoms when they stop. You do not have to wait for rock bottom. If an adult refuses help and is a danger to themselves or others, South African law allows a family member to apply to a magistrate for court-ordered treatment.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
What are the signs that someone needs rehab?
- They use more, or more often, than they mean to.
- They have tried to stop or cut down and could not.
- They need more of the substance to get the same effect.
- They feel sick, shaky, anxious or unable to sleep when they stop.
- Work, studies, money or family responsibilities are slipping.
- They hide their use or lie about it.
- They carry on despite health scares, arrests, accidents or damaged relationships.
Two or three of these signs are enough reason to get a professional assessment.
Does everyone with a drinking or drug problem need inpatient rehab?
No. Milder problems can often be treated with outpatient counselling and support groups. Inpatient rehab is usually needed when the person cannot stop on their own, needs medical detox, has relapsed after earlier attempts, or lives in a home where alcohol or drugs are always available.
Do you have to hit rock bottom before rehab?
No. Waiting for rock bottom only means more damage to health, work and family before treatment starts. People who get help earlier have more to hold on to and less to rebuild.
How do I talk to someone about going to rehab?
- Pick a calm moment when they are sober.
- Give specific examples of what you have seen and how it affected you, without blame or labels.
- Listen. Fear and shame usually sit behind the denial.
- Have options ready: a centre, a cost and a possible admission date, so a yes can be acted on that day.
- Set boundaries you will keep, such as no longer covering for them or lending money.
- Get support for yourself. You cannot do this alone.
What can I do if they refuse to go?
Under section 33 of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008, a person who is close to the user, such as a family member or friend, or a social worker or community leader, can ask a magistrate’s court to order treatment. It applies when the person is dependent on substances and:
- is a danger to themselves or to the people around them, or
- is harming their own welfare or their family’s welfare, or
- commits crimes to pay for their use.
The process works like this:
- Speak to a social worker at the Department of Social Development or SANCA, or go to the magistrate’s court for your area.
- Make a sworn statement (affidavit) setting out the facts.
- The court holds an enquiry into the person’s circumstances.
- The magistrate may order admission to a treatment centre.
This takes time, so it is not a route for emergencies. The national substance abuse helpline on 0800 12 13 14 helps families through the process. Private rehab centres normally admit people only with their consent.
Does rehab work if the person does not want to go?
It can. Many people start treatment under pressure from family, an employer or a court, and their own motivation grows once they are sober and taking part in a programme. It is not guaranteed, which is why aftercare and family support matter so much.
Where can families get support?
- Al-Anon and Nar-Anon: free support groups for families of people with a drinking or drug problem.
- National substance abuse helpline: 0800 12 13 14.
- Gauteng Anti-Substance Abuse helpline: 0800 22 88 27.
- Our family guidance page.
When they are ready, see how to choose a rehab centre and how much rehab costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I force an adult into rehab in South Africa?
Not on your own. Only a court can order an adult into treatment, after an enquiry under the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act. A family member can start that process with a sworn statement.
Can a parent put a child under 18 into rehab?
Yes, a parent or guardian can arrange treatment for a child. The Act has separate rules for children, so ask a social worker how they apply to your situation.
How long does a court-ordered admission take?
It varies from court to court and depends on the enquiry and on bed availability. Ask the social worker or the clerk of the court what to expect in your area.
When is it an emergency?
Call 112 or 10177, or go to the nearest hospital, if someone has overdosed, has a seizure, is unconscious, is threatening suicide or is violent.
How Rehab Bridge can help
Rehab Bridge is not a rehab centre. We listen to your situation, explain your options and connect you to rehab centres in Gauteng and Cape Town that fit your needs, budget and medical aid. Contact us, send us a WhatsApp or email info@rehabbridge.co.za.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 112 from a cellphone or 10177 for an ambulance.