he can section you after a relative or approved social worker asks for it with another doctor - this would be for a section 2 or 3 order. Any doctor can section a patient using section 4 in the community but this is rarely used. Section 5 is used as an emergency measure for inpatients. The Police also have powers of arrest under s135 and 136 ( I think) - this is more often used in the community than s4. Most people will only be detained under section if they will not consent to in patient treatment. To be sectioned you have to a psychiatric disorder and be a danger to yourself or to others. Alcohol and drug abuse if specifically excluded unless there is another disorder present. s2 is an assessment order and lasts up to 28 days and is for any disorder; s3 is treatment order and is for 6 months - but the disorder must be treatable - so personality disorders don't count .