An adult in Malaysia can get drug treatment voluntarily, without being arrested and without a court order. You can walk into an AADK office or a PUSPEN and ask for help, and AADK describes its voluntary service as free, discreet and without legal action. Other voluntary routes include methadone through government hospitals and clinics for heroin and other opioids, and private residential centres that charge fees. This guide explains each route and what happens when you ask.
What "voluntary" means
Voluntary treatment starts with the person's own agreement. AADK asks for informed consent, which means the person understands what the treatment involves and agrees to it.
The law behind it is the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, usually called Act 283. Section 8 lets a person apply to a Rehabilitation Officer for treatment. Amendments to the Act came into force on 22 August 2025, and three of the changes matter if you are thinking of going:
- You no longer need a medical officer's certificate before you start. You can go straight to AADK.
- No court is involved in a voluntary admission.
- Treatment now also covers people who misuse drugs or other substances, such as glue and ketum, as well as people who are dependent.
The other route starts with an arrest. Under section 6 of the Act, a magistrate can order a person to undergo treatment at a rehabilitation centre or to be supervised in the community. Most people in PUSPEN today came in that way, and AADK has said it wants more people to come forward on their own.
Voluntary or after arrest: the difference
| Voluntary | After arrest | |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides | The person, often with family encouragement | The court |
| How it starts | Walk into an AADK office or PUSPEN, or call AADK | Arrest and testing |
| Where treatment happens | In the community or in a PUSPEN, after an assessment | A rehabilitation centre or supervision in the community, as ordered |
| Cost | AADK describes the voluntary service as free | Ask AADK |
| Criminal record | See the section on criminal records below | A legal matter: ask a lawyer |
Your voluntary options
AADK treatment in the community (RPDK)
Most people who come forward are treated while living at home. In the first year after the amendments, 2,145 people sought treatment voluntarily. Of those, 1,401 were treated in the community and 744 in an institution.
Community clients keep living with their families and keep working. They attend an AADK office on a set schedule and have regular urine tests. AADK runs 31 Pusat Khidmat AADK (AADK service centres) around the country, and a mobile treatment bus with consultation rooms also visits set locations.
AADK residential treatment in a PUSPEN (RPDI)
There are 30 PUSPEN in Malaysia. In March 2026, more than 1,500 of the 6,000 or so people in them had come in voluntarily.
A rehabilitation officer first assesses how involved the person is with drugs, then offers a package of three months to two years depending on how serious things are. AADK's director-general has said that people who recover quickly can be released within six months, and that the fear of being held for a very long time is mistaken. Our guide to Pusat Serenti and PUSPEN explains what happens inside.
Methadone through government hospitals and clinics
For heroin and other opioids, methadone replacement therapy is a medical treatment. The Ministry of Health's directory lists government hospitals and health clinics among the places that dispense it, along with AADK offices and some private clinics. Our methadone guide explains how it works.
Private voluntary residential centres
Private centres charge fees and set their own programmes, length of stay and staffing, so they differ a great deal. Salus is one example: a 90-day voluntary residential programme for adults in Cyberjaya at RM7,000 per month, all-inclusive. If you are comparing a private drug rehabilitation centre, ask who provides medical care, how withdrawal is managed, what the full fee covers, whether the person can leave if they change their mind, and what support there is after the stay.
How to ask AADK for voluntary treatment
- Walk into any AADK office or PUSPEN, or call AADK's free line on 1-800-22-AADK (2235). AADK also takes WhatsApp messages on 019-626 2233.
- A rehabilitation officer talks with the person and assesses how involved they are with drugs.
- The officer offers a package, in the community or residential, for three months to two years depending on need. The person gives informed consent.
- Family members can be involved in the treatment if the person wants that.
You do not need a doctor's letter to start.
Will voluntary treatment give you a criminal record?
In March 2026 the Home Minister said that, under the amended Act, people who enter PUSPEN voluntarily will not be recorded as having a criminal record. One report of the same press conference said this applies once the two-year rehabilitation period is complete. AADK describes its voluntary service as carried out without legal action.
If there is already a police case open against the person, ask AADK or a lawyer how this applies before you go.
How long it takes and what it costs
AADK's voluntary packages run from three months to two years, and the service is described as free. Private centres set their own fees and length of stay. At Salus the programme is 90 days at RM7,000 per month, all-inclusive, which comes to about RM21,000.
NIDA's research guide says most people reach a point of significant improvement at about three months in treatment. It also says detox is only the first stage and on its own does little to change long-term drug use.
Before anyone stops: stay safe
Some withdrawals are dangerous. A person who is dependent on alcohol should not stop suddenly without medical advice, because fits (seizures) or hallucinations can follow and need urgent medical help. Stopping sleeping pills such as benzodiazepines suddenly can cause seizures and can be fatal, so speak to a doctor first.
Tell whichever service you choose about everything the person uses, including alcohol and pills, so withdrawal can be planned safely. In an emergency, call 999.
When the person is not ready
Voluntary means the person has to agree, at AADK and at Salus alike. If they are not ready yet, keep talking and have one clear option ready for the day they say yes. Our guide on how to talk to someone about getting help has practical wording for that conversation.
If you are a family member and finding it hard yourself, the Health Ministry's HEAL line on 15555 offers mental health support.
Common questions
Can I go to AADK myself without being arrested?
Yes. Since 22 August 2025 you can go straight to an AADK office or PUSPEN and ask for treatment, without a medical officer's certificate and without going to court.
Is voluntary drug rehab free?
AADK describes its voluntary service as free. Private centres charge fees. Salus is RM7,000 per month, all-inclusive.
Is it confidential?
AADK describes its voluntary service as discreet. At Salus, every conversation is confidential and there is no obligation.
Does voluntary treatment cover ketum and glue?
Yes. The amended Act covers substances such as glue and ketum, not only illegal drugs, and it covers people who misuse them as well as people who are dependent.
Can my family sign me in?
For an adult, voluntary treatment starts with your own consent. Your family can be involved in treatment, but the decision to start is yours.
How long does voluntary rehab take?
At AADK, three months to two years depending on need. At Salus, 90 days.
How Salus can help
Salus is a private, voluntary, 90-day residential programme for adults aged 18 and over in Cyberjaya, Selangor. It is not part of AADK or any government service, and it is one option among several. Treatment is with the Salus Clinician, alongside medical care, and the fee is RM7,000 per month, all-inclusive.
If you or someone close to you is ready to talk about voluntary treatment, call or WhatsApp +60 12-839 4686 for a confidential conversation with no obligation. We are happy to talk through the AADK route as well. Contact Salus.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice.
