Florida

Florida Substance Use Statistics and Addiction Treatment Options

In 2014, an estimated 410,000 Florida residents were addicted to drugs or alcohol. In 2016 there were over 5,000 drug overdoses in Florida. The drug epidemic has been growing so fast that Governor Rick Scott declared it a state emergency in 2017 and proposed $54 million in education programs, grants, and prevention treatment services to help residents find healing.

High-quality addiction treatment programs and assistance are available on an inpatient and outpatient basis in Florida. Here are the substance-use statistics, drug rehab information and helpful steps to assist anyone seeking recovery from addiction.

Florida Substance Use And Addiction Statistics

With a population of 21 million people, Florida has been at the epicenter of one of the nation’s worst drug epidemics. Florida ranks fifth for violent crimes in the United States as a result of drug-related activities, and it’s a major entry port for drugs coming from Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela. Florida’s substance use epidemic involves heroin and opioids, marijuana, stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamines.

Of the recent drug- and alcohol-related fatalities in Florida:

• 305 people died of meth overdoses from 2015 to 2016
• 952 people died from heroin in 2016
• 1,834 people died from cocaine overdoses in 2015
• 5,725 people died from opioids in 2015
• 8,000 people died in drunk-driving accidents between 2003 to 2012
• 15,301 people died of prescription drug overdoses from 2003 to 2012

Florida’s Response To The Addiction Epidemic

According to the Florida Attorney General’s Office under Attorney General Pam Bondi, Florida’s drug-prevention efforts include a variety of programs and initiatives overseen by several state departments. These agencies include the Substance Use and Mental Health Program, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Health. These departments work together to decrease substance use and reduce addiction rates across the state.

Ending Pill Mills

Florida’s attorney general’s office has been working to reduce the number of pill mills. Pill mills are doctors’ offices and clinics where physicians over-prescribe opioid painkillers and other narcotics without a legitimate medical purpose.

According to the DEA’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System, of the top 100 oxycodone-purchasing physicians in the nation in 2010, 90 were located in Florida. This discovery led the state to begin enforcing tighter controls on prescribing practices, resulting in more than 100 arrests, seizures of assets and controlled substances and the closure of many clinics. By 2014, only 367 of the 900 registered pain-management clinics were still open.

Outlawing Synthetic Drugs

In 2010, Florida saw more than 11,000 emergency-room visits related to synthetic drugs. Of those treated, 75 percent were ages 12-29, and the majority were between the ages of 12 and 17.

To combat this, the schedule of controlled substances was expanded to include cathinones (bath salts) and synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 and Spice. The state has outlawed 136 different chemical compounds and is continually adding to the list of illegal synthetic drugs in Florida.

Florida Addiction Treatment Programs

As Florida works to ensure there are no further illegal pill mills or bogus treatment centers, it’s important to carefully evaluate addiction treatment centers to find the best recovery programs.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment that works for everyone, and people experiencing severe addiction may require more intensive therapy. Any high-quality Florida rehabilitation program will conduct an initial clinical assessment and tailor the treatment plan to a person’s specific recovery needs.

The full continuum of addiction treatment includes a range of treatment services that vary in intensity. A person might participate in all levels of care or just some, depending on their unique needs.

Addiction treatment programs offered in Florida may include:

• Intervention services
• Drug and alcohol detox
• Residential inpatient programs
• Outpatient programs
• Aftercare and alumni groups
• Sober living homes

Drug And Alcohol Detox

For those who want to break free from drugs and alcohol addiction, detoxification is often the first step. Since drugs like methamphetamines, alcohol, opioids, and heroin can cause physical dependency, detox programs are designed to treat a person’s specific addictions and address their withdrawal symptoms.

A person who is physically dependent on a substance should never attempt detoxification on their own, as painful withdrawal symptoms can lead them back to substance use or become life-threatening. Round-the-clock support might be required while the initial detox stage rids the body of drugs and alcohol. Medication is available through some detox programs to help limit or prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can mean the difference between the beginning of long-lasting recovery and immediate relapse.

Florida Inpatient Drug Rehab

Clients participating in inpatient drug rehab programs live on-site for the duration of treatment. Florida inpatient addiction treatment programs offer medication and medical care as well as constant support. Residential addiction treatment programs also help strengthen sobriety by providing distance from environmental triggers that can lead to relapse.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs In Florida

Outpatient addiction treatment is a less-intensive level of care, and clients return home after attending treatment each day. Outpatient addiction treatment can be beneficial for people with family or work obligations.

People who are suffering from severe or prolonged addictions may find inpatient addiction treatment to be a more suitable path to sobriety. Inpatient drug rehab programs can help provide clients with medical assistance and emotional support when they need it.

Specialized Addiction Treatment Programs In Florida

Many addiction treatment centers offer specialized programs to better help clients as they learn to live sober lives. Recovery programs can be gender-specific, dual diagnosis or medication-assisted as needed.

Gender-Specific Programs

Gender-specific programs might be all-male or all-female. Men might participate in an all-male program to address social pressures and insecurities, while all-female programs might be suitable for women if there is a history of use or violence.

Dual-Diagnosis Programs

Dual-diagnosis programs offer help for anyone who is facing a substance use disorder as well as a mental health disorder. Treatment for co-occurring disorders can help a person with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or another type of mental health-related issue.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

To aid in recovery, medication-assisted treatment programs might be recommended. Specific medications can lessen or prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings and help guard against relapse. In Florida, medication-assisted treatment programs vary depending on the substance and the duration of substance use.

Addiction Treatment Therapies

Therapies used in drug rehab programs vary, but most will include:

• Addiction education
• Individual counseling and group meetings
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy
• External support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
• Family therapy
• Exercise and nutrition
• Stress management and coping techniques

Additional therapy options may include complementary therapies such as yoga, equine therapy, biofeedback, art therapy and journaling.

Length Of Treatment At Rehab Centers In Florida

Treatment program length can be adjusted based on how quickly a person progresses in their recovery. Drug and alcohol detox programs may last a few days to a few weeks. Inpatient treatment program lengths vary and might be 28 days, 60 days, 90 days or longer, depending on the needs of the client. Outpatient programs last similar lengths.

How To Pay For Addiction Treatment In Florida

Addiction treatment costs differ from one treatment center to the next. Treatment center admissions specialists can provide detailed information on treatment costs and payment options.

At various drug and alcohol treatment centers in Florida, payment options may include:

• Cash or self-payment
• Private health insurance
• Medicaid
• Other government funding
• Personal loan or healthcare loan

If a person is entering a drug and alcohol recovery program, they should first check with their healthcare provider for addiction treatment options. The Affordable Care Act requires that addiction treatment is covered as a behavioral health service at the same coverage rates as other procedures and treatments. Out-of-pocket costs may vary based on the provider.

A few health insurance providers in Florida include:

• Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida)
• Florida Health Care Plan, Inc. (Subsidiary of Florida Blue)
• Celtic/Ambetter
• Health First Health Plan
• Molina

Finding Addiction Treatment In Florida

A supportive drug and alcohol rehab program is crucial for anyone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction. Recovery programs help people to not only rid their body of harmful substances but also participate in therapy sessions and utilize recovery medications to help them overcome addiction.

While the government in Florida works to end its massive drug epidemic, finding a high-quality treatment program that offers meaningful recovery support is important. When considering where to seek treatment, remember that the best treatment program for a person’s unique needs might not be right around the corner.

The benefits of traveling for addiction treatment include:

• Access to more high-quality treatment programs that are available locally
• Improved focus on treatment and removal from environmental triggers
• Increased privacy

Vertava Health offers effective, compassionate treatment in several states across the country, and we can help people find the care they need—wherever they are.