How to Find Reputable Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

The state of Florida has been in the news lately due to high rates of substance abuse disorders. Though there has been negative press coverage, some Florida drug and alcohol rehab facilities offer real hope to people with addictions.

In recent years, Florida has received attention for epidemic levels of opioid addiction, leading to the state declaring a public health emergency earlier this year. This will allow the state to access grant money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to go toward prevention, addiction treatment, and recovery services.

In 2015 alone, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone were responsible for the deaths of nearly 4,000 Floridians, accounting for around 12 percent of nationwide opioid overdose deaths. Practically no area of the U.S. has been spared from the damage of widespread opioid addiction, and people from other states go to Florida drug and alcohol rehab facilities, sometimes because of the Marchman Act, a Florida law that can make it easier for families to compel someone with an addiction to enter treatment. For these reasons and more, Florida has many treatment facilities, not all of which provide optimal care.

Identifying Questionable Rehab Centers

It is not always easy to determine whether a treatment center or sober home is reputable, but there are things you can watch for that can indicate you should be wary:

• Vague ads or websites that do not identify the program being represented. These entities may simply collect contact information for “patient brokers” who make money from treatment centers that pay for connections with patients who end up being admitted.
• Organizations that receive referral fees from treatment centers. Learning if this is the case may require reading the fine print or asking outright.
• Organizations that offer to cover travel costs. While this sounds great, it can in some cases be considered an illegal inducement.
• Facilities that offer to pay for deductibles, co-payments, and even insurance coverage. This too may be considered an illegal inducement.
• Organizations that exchange rent in a sober home for attendance at a particular drug treatment program
• Facilities that perform frequent, costly lab tests
• Places that do not ask for enough patient details or history to make a good fit referral
• Unsolicited referrals. Some treatment facilities are happy to be considered “out of network” by insurers, because they can bill insurers more.

Rehab Facilities and Sober Homes

Florida sober living homes and Florida drug and alcohol rehab facilities are not the same thing. Treatment centers house individuals who are learning to overcome addictions. They are run by licensed physicians and mental health professionals, and may have detox facilities as well as residential treatment. In some cases, upon completing treatment, patients will move to a sober home for a period of time.

Sober homes house people in recovery and offer part- or full-time supervision and structured living arrangements, including curfews. They may be owned by corporations or by private individuals, and may or may not be associated with a particular treatment center. Sober homes affiliated with treatment centers are typically well-supervised, and help people in recovery learn to take responsibility for daily living after having completed addiction treatment.

In Florida, however, lack of oversight has led to the creation of sober homes designed to do little more than “recycle” patients in and out of treatment to maximize revenues. Therefore, researching sober homes thoroughly is essential for anyone considering addiction treatment followed by time spent in a sober living facility.

Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab: What to Look For

In addition to knowing what to avoid in Florida drug and alcohol rehab facilities, it is important to know what to expect. Always choose a facility that is accredited and licensed. The facility should be staffed with licensed professionals, and should have accreditation by an applicable governing authority. Moreover, you should choose a treatment center that uses proven treatment methods and is forthcoming about success rates.

Finally, it is hard to overstate the importance that you choose a facility that provides a comprehensive aftercare plan. Completing rehab is a worthy accomplishment, but most people require ongoing help to ensure long-term sobriety. Always ask up front about aftercare plans and what types of referrals or services the facility offers patients who complete rehab.

The Orlando Recovery Center understands the importance of providing effective care and planning for continued recovery after rehab. We invite you to learn more about admissions and are happy to answer your questions.