A 72 hour hold is not the exact same as being committed.
Although both a 72 hour hold and being committed involve psychiatric hospitalization that is involuntary.
However the 72 hour hold is an initial and usually temporary step, while commitment to a psychiatric hospital is a longer term legal process.
The purpose of a 72 hour hold is for use as a brief period of emergency evaluation to stabilize an immediate crisis and asses your mental health.
The 72 hour hold is often initiated by doctors, law enforcement or even mental health professionals without needing or having a judge's prior approval.
72 hour holds last a maximum of 72 hours, which excludes weekends and holidays in some areas and is meant to protect the person being held as well as others.
Being committed is for longer term treatment.
The purpose of being committed is a result of ongoing and court ordered treatment because the person continues to pose a risk to themselves or others or is gravely disabled.
The commitment requires a formal legal process and often requires a petition, a hearing and a curt order that is signed by a judge.
And if a judge orders a civil commitment, the civil commitment can last for weeks, months or even up to a year and sometimes longer, depending on the persons progress and state laws.
During or at the end of the 72 hour hold, the treatment team will then decide on the next steps to take.
The person may be discharged, agree to remain voluntarily or the hospital might petition the court for an involuntary commitment hearing if needed.