Florida drug abuse overview

Florida has a population of 21,781,128 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 2,519,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 11.57% of the population. 2,343,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 3,192,000 in the past year. The report also found that 338,000 Florida residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 184,000 had abused meth, and 614,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 139,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Florida totaled 655,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in Florida

Alcohol misuse was also reported in Florida with 9,823,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 4,194,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 9,375,000 people.

Overdose death rates in Florida

In 2021, Florida saw a total of 7477 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Florida at 34.3 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 3541 or 16.2 per 100,000 people.

Substance use disorders and treatment in Florida

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Florida and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 3,111,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 2,120,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 491,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 1,223 people in Florida needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 2,130,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 2,690,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in Florida?

There is no right or wrong approach to finding rehab in Florida, or anywhere in the USA. There are several factors that you should consider when looking for rehab, including the location, price, and the type of treatment offered. It’s important to choose the right treatment option in order to have the best chance of recovery, and to find a treatment that feels comfortable and helpful for you.

You, or the loved one that you are seeking rehab for, will respond best to treatment that is familiar to them and allows them to relax. For some people, this may be treatment that happens in a group environment and for others, it may be individualized therapy. 

Treatment options in Florida include:

How do I pay for rehab in Florida?

Whether or not a person receives the necessary therapy might directly depend on if they have insurance and a plan that covers rehab. Many people believe they cannot afford the necessary assistance or that it is too expensive. In certain circumstances, people may think that the expenditure is unnecessary and that they can get by with their addiction as is.

Fortunately, there is hope for people who believe they cannot afford therapy. In recent years paying for addiction treatment has become more accessible, through a number of government-funded programs and also alternative funding methods.

There are several programs available in Florida to help fund all or part of your rehab treatment. 

The most accessible way to pay for rehab is under the Medicare scheme. You can also pay for rehab through your health insurance, through scholarships and awards, or by fundraising through an online platform such as GoFundMe.

Rehab for meth addiction in Florida

A single use of methamphetamine (meth) may quickly turn into a severe dependency, making it one of the most addictive drugs. Patients see success through engaging with detoxification, and then a period of therapy and other treatments. Meth detox is usually done under medical supervision and comes as part of an inpatient treatment program. In addition to receiving behavioral counseling, patients will learn how to control the psychological side effects of meth withdrawal and develop skills to reenter society free of meth addiction.

How do you know if you need addiction treatment?

Depending on the person, the drug they are abusing, and their specific usage patterns, different substances have different indicators of addiction. This means that while almost everyone will exhibit symptoms, there are no universal "common indicators" of addiction. There are however several warning signs to watch out for if you are concerned about substance misuse and addiction in yourself or someone else. This can include sudden changes in mood, irritability, and unusual spending habits. Read here to learn more about the warning signs of addiction.

Local government assistance in Florida

There are several ways that the Florida government can help you with addiction, from treatment to advice and everything in between. If you’re not ready to commit fully to rehab, then you don’t have to - you should be aware of additional forms of support offered by your local government, many of which won’t cost you anything. A list of Florida resources that could be useful to you is provided below:

  • Florida Statewide Substance Abuse Hotline -  When Florida citizens are experiencing a drug-related crisis, this hotline offers 24/7 assistance. Representatives may also direct you to trustworthy centers for addiction treatment.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program - The Public Health Department of Florida's dependency program connects callers to qualified providers of addiction treatment. At this crisis hotline, free drug therapy is also available.
  • Online Treatment Facility Locator - A discreet and anonymous source of information for anyone looking for treatment centers for drug use/addiction and/or mental health issues in the United States or U.S. Territories. 
  • Florida Substance Abuse Index - A comprehensive collection of resources and contact numbers that can provide drug and alcohol addiction support in Florida.