AITAH for committing my meth addicted mother to involuntarily to a center.
My (25f) mother (58f) is addicted to meth. I could not see it clearly until now- people had mentioned it to me, I knew she was on coke, but in my brain I rationalized that "my mom wouldn't do that." I know.
My parents got divorced 9 years ago- she left in search of freedom, but slowly started to decline. It came to a head last year when she started complaining of bugs in the house, then on her skin, then they were everywhere. She slept in motels for days on end before deciding to leave the house she has built up for 26 years. My family believed this would help her- she seemed happy in her new apartment, but I realized tonight things have only shifted.
I saw the situation for what it was. I saw her hair missing, her teeth rotting, the scars on her face and her tiny, deteriorating body. I saw desperation to a belief she cannot let go. I saw the truth, that my mom is in the trenches of addiction.
In my state it is fairly easy to commit someone if you have the proper evidence. I had spoken personally with her old doctor a few times when the bug issue came about and my moms coke problem (mom stopped seeing her because she spoke to me even though she signed an ROI) who is willing to vouch for my claims and others who care for her deeply as well.
The problem is- my moms owns a business by herself with no help. This is by no means equivalent to my mom's life, but it is a huuuuge barrier into her feeling comfortable enough to receive treatment. She has destroyed her reputation but also values it highly and the sense of purpose it has given her for so long. Another problem is, I fear she may hate me for it forever. Hell, she already hates me now because I can't help her find someone to get rid of the bugs.
My mom is still in there, and I fear I may have realized too far down the road just how far gone she may be. She looks like her whole body is shutting down. It felt like looking at my mom's corpse. I have heard this all before- the crying spells, the threats. Usually the next day she is riding a high horse, till it comes again.
I don't want to lose my mom- so reddit- AITA for wanting to petition to have her committed? Or should I leave her to her devices and continue to grieve the loss of the woman I love and know?
Posted Jan 30, 2026, 5:17 AM UTC