Practical Step-by-Step Guide: How to Seek Help for Someone You Care About, and How to Direct Them to Specialized Treatment Centers in Jordan

Referral as a Deliberate Rescue Action

Making the decision to seek help for a loved one (child, sibling, friend) is undoubtedly the hardest and most important step in the recovery journey. At this moment, the person making the referral (you) faces a bitter internal conflict between the desire to protect and the fear of shame or the anticipated reaction of the individual using substances.

At this platform, we emphasize a fundamental truth: a successful referral is not tattling; it is an emergency medical intervention to save a life. Remaining silent under the guise of discretion actually contributes to worsening the condition. Success at this stage depends on choosing the “right path” that balances physical condition, mental health, and legal safety. In Jordan, there is a comprehensive system that ensures complete confidentiality and legal protection, provided that the referral is made through official and authorized channels.

The Legal Reality in Jordan: The Jordanian legal system (according to the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law) guarantees full confidentiality and exemption from punishment for anyone who seeks treatment voluntarily, either on their own or through a relative. This makes the treatment pathway completely safe from a criminal perspective.

Referral Options and Pathways in Jordan

The legislator and health institutions in Jordan have provided three main pathways, each with its own procedures:

Pathway (1): Governmental Pathway (National Center for Addict Rehabilitation)

This is the largest and primary reference in the Kingdom and operates under the Ministry of Health.

Who is it for? For all cases seeking comprehensive medical and psychological treatment under government supervision and complete confidentiality.

Steps:

1. Go to the center’s headquarters (Shafa Badran – Amman).

2. Request “voluntary treatment” (this ensures exemption from any legal accountability).

3. Undergo an initial assessment by a committee of doctors and psychological specialists to determine the need for inpatient or outpatient follow-up.

4. Start the “detox” program followed by behavioral rehabilitation.

Pathway (2): Security-Preventive Pathway (Drug Control Department – Addiction Treatment Center)

This pathway is unique, as the Drug Control Department provides a specialized treatment center in Arjan.

Who is it for? For families seeking maximum security and legal assurance or who fear losing control over the person using substances.

Steps:

1. Contact the Drug Control Department and request the “treatment center” section.

2. Bring the person voluntarily (or they can attend voluntarily). According to Jordanian law, anyone seeking treatment on their own or through their relatives (parents/guardians) is exempt from public prosecution.

3. The treatment is provided in a completely safe environment under specialized medical supervision.

Pathway (3): Private Pathway (Private Hospitals and Centers)

Specialized departments are available in private hospitals (e.g., Al-Rashid Psychiatric Hospital, among others).

Who is it for? For those seeking specific accommodation options or preferring the private sector, ensuring that the center is licensed by the Ministry of Health.

Steps:

1. Ensure the center follows a scientific protocol (not just isolation).

2. Pre-arrange financial costs and the duration of the rehabilitation program (usually ranging from 3 to 6 months).

Protocol for Persuading Referral

Before Starting the Referral, How to Persuade the Person

Before initiating a referral, the “targeted” person must be prepared through technical steps that prevent confrontation:

1. Alliance Against the Disease

Wrong approach: “You are an addict and must go to the clinic to fix yourself… or you are destroying your life.”

Correct approach: “We see that you are suffering, and we love you and don’t want to lose you. The center is not a prison; it is a place that helps your brain chemistry return to normal. We will go with you and be by your side every step of the way.”

2. Choosing the Moment of Clarity

Do not attempt referral or discussion while the person is under the influence or in a peak anger episode. Choose a time of “calm” or “morning regret,” when the prefrontal cortex is more receptive to logic.

3. Providing the “Safe Option”

Clearly inform them about confidentiality and legal guarantees in Jordan, emphasizing that the goal is “medical treatment,” not punishment.

Referral Action Steps

Step 1: Silent Consultation: Contact a specialist (psychologist or doctor) via hotlines to gather information before confronting the person.

Step 2: Prepare the “Emergency Kit”: Ensure you have all necessary documents and understand the intake process at the chosen center.

Step 3: Physical Accompaniment: Do not send the person alone; accompanying them during the referral process provides a sense of safety and reduces the chance of last-minute withdrawal.

Worksheet (Action Plan)

Exercise: “Safety Circle”

1. Write the following emergency numbers in your phone now:

The National Center for Drug Rehabilitation

Addiction Treatment Center – Anti-Narcotics Department

2. Identify the “supportive person” in your family who will accompany you during the referral process.

Remember: “Delaying the referral gives the substance another chance to destroy a new part of the life of someone you care about.”

References

1. قانون المخدرات والمؤثرات العقيلة الأردني وتعديلاته (المادة 93). (المرجع القانوني للإعفاء من العقوبة).

2. UNODC. (2020). International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders. (المعايير الدولية لجودة مراكز العلاج).

3. وزارة الصحة الأردنية – مديرية الأمراض النفسية. البروتوكول الوطني لعلاج الإدمان.

4. SAMHSA. (2021). Deciding to Go to Treatment: A Guide for Families. (دليل اتخاذ قرار العلاج).

5. World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Guidelines for the Identification and Management of Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders.