Drug Addiction and/or Alcoholism is not something most people can over come by themselves. A Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Program is usually the best opportunity individuals have to beat drug and/or alcohol addiction and get their lives back on track. Some things to look for when deciding on a Alcohol Rehabilitation and Drug Treatment Center are:
- Does the Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center have proper credentials?
- How much does a Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Center cost?
- What is the success rate of the Drug Rehab and Alcoholism Treatment Facility in question?
Many people find that speaking to a counselor or Registered Addiction Specialist is extremely helpful when deciding on a Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Program. Drug Counselors in Florida are a good source of information for figuring out what the best treatment option is for an individual. They are familiar with many of the programs in Florida and can increase your chances of getting into the correct Drug Rehabilitation and Alcoholism Treatment Program that will best address your treatment needs.
If you would like to speak with a Registered Addiction Specialist regarding Alcohol Treatment and Drug Treatment Facilities in Florida, call our toll-free number and one of our drug counselors will assist you in finding a Alcohol Rehab and Drug Treatment Center. You can also fill out our form if you would like an Addiction Specialist to contact you directly and help you or your loved one find the appropriate Drug Treatment and Alcoholism Treatment Program.
Drug Rehabs Florida is a not-for-profit social betterment organization. All calls and information provided is done free of charge and completely confidential. It's never too late to get help.
Drug Rehabs Florida
Florida is known for many illustrious drugs and drug related crime. The State of Florida is a primary area for international drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, as well as a principal thoroughfare for cocaine and heroin transiting to the northeastern United States and Canada. Florida’s over 8,000 miles of coastline provides virtually unlimited access and opportunities for drug trafficking organizations to use maritime conveyances to smuggle drugs. The short distance between Florida and the Bahamas also serves as a smuggling corridor along the southeast coastline.
South Florida, with its unique mix of nationalities and ties to Central and South America, is a primary domestic command and control center for Colombian narcotics traffickers and money laundering organizations. Recently, Mexican organizations have also made tremendous inroads, and are responsible for the smuggling and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine (i.e. crystal methamphetamine) and marijuana throughout large portions of the state – from the Panhandle to as far south as Palm Beach County.
Over the years a new form of rehabilitation has become very popular in Florida and across the United States because of its high success rates and fresh approach to addiction. Non 12 step rehabs that offer addiction treatment that is individualized and result based are now becoming the featured form of rehabilitation in the addiction field. Most non 12 step rehabs offer longer termed programs that provide individualized counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and life skills therapy. All of which focus on addiction being a choice. Of course it’s not to say that an addicted individual can just wake up in the morning and stop using drugs, but that with the right type of rehabilitation program a person can gain the ability to make a good choice or decision which is to not use drugs or alcohol.
2006-2007 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health:
Below is a table with data pertaining to the Selected Drug Use, Perceptions of Great Risk, Average Annual Marijuana Initiates, Past Year Substance Dependence or Abuse, Needing But Not Receiving Treatment, Serious Psychological Distress, and Having at Least One Major Depressive, by Age Group: Estimated Numbers (in Thousands), Annual Averages Based on 2006-2007 NSDUH
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Age 12+ |
Age 12-17 |
Age 18-25 |
Age 26+ |
Age 18+ |
| Past Month Illicit Drug Use | 1,168 | 138 | 373 | 658 | 1,030 |
| Past Year Marijuana Use | 1,435 | 176 | 490 | 769 | 1,259 |
| Past Month Marijuana Use | 835 | 96 | 310 | 430 | 739 |
| Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana | 588 | 73 | 164 | 350 | 514 |
| Past Year Cocaine Use | 350 | 23 | 124 | 204 | 327 |
| Past Year Nonmedical Pain Reliever Use | 710 | 100 | 216 | 394 | 610 |
| Perception of Great Risk of Smoking Marijuana Once a Month | 6,408 | 478 | 481 | 5,449 | 5,930 |
| Average Annual Number of Marijuana Initiates | 130 | 68 | 56 | 7 | 62 |
| ALCOHOL | |||||
| Past Month Alcohol Use | 8,012 | 232 | 1,055 | 6,725 | 7,779 |
| Past Month Binge Alcohol Use | 3,506 | 143 | 694 | 2,669 | 3,363 |
|
Perception of Great Risk of Drinking Five or More Drinks Once or Twice a Week |
6,796 | 565 | 675 | 5,556 | 6,231 |
| Past Month Alcohol Use (Persons Aged 12 to 20) | 581 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Past Month Binge Alcohol Use (Persons Aged 12 to 20) | 376 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |||||
| Past Month Tobacco Product Use | 4,392 | 162 | 733 | 3,497 | 4,230 |
| Past Month Cigarette Use | 3,734 | 132 | 629 | 2,973 | 3,602 |
|
Perception of Great Risk of Smoking One or More Packs of Cigarettes Per Day |
11,395 | 957 | 1,270 | 9,168 | 10,437 |
| PAST YEAR DEPENDENCE, .USE, AND TREATMENT | |||||
| Illicit Drug Dependence | 283 | 33 | 102 | 148 | 250 |
| Illicit Drug Dependence or Abuse | 413 | 61 | 146 | 206 | 352 |
| Alcohol Dependence | 499 | 30 | 130 | 340 | 469 |
| Alcohol Dependence or Abuse | 1,069 | 68 | 282 | 718 | 1,000 |
| Alcohol or Illicit Drug Dependence or Abuse | 1,290 | 104 | 349 | 837 | 1,186 |
| Needing But Not Receiving Treatment for Illicit Drug Use | 388 | 57 | 133 | 198 | 331 |
| Needing But Not Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Use | 1,022 | 68 | 269 | 685 | 954 |
| SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS | -- | -- | 286 | 1,125 | 1,411 |
| HAVING AT LEAST ONE MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE | -- | 105 | 143 | 802 | 945 |
Florida Drug Use and Drug-Related Crime
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported 2,590 drug arrests in Florida during 2007.
- During 2007, there were 1,202 murders reported by police in Florida. This is up from 1,129 reported murders in 2006.
- During 2007, there were 781 adult arrests for murder in Florida. There were 696 adult arrests for murder in Florida during 2006.
- Approximately 6.4 million (42.78%) Florida citizens reported that using marijuana occasionally (once a month) was a “great risk”.
- Additional 2005-2006 NSDUH results indicate that 437,000 (2.92%) Florida citizens reported illicit drug dependence or abuse within the past year. Approximately 285,000 (1.90%) reported past year illicit drug dependence.
- During 2007, there was 1 child injured and an additional 21 children in Florida affected by methamphetamine laboratories.
- During the first half of 2007, there were 1,008 deaths in Florida in which cocaine was found in the body of the deceased. During full year 2006, there were 2,052 reported deaths in which cocaine was found in the body of the deceased.
- During the first half of 2007, there were 398 deaths in Florida in which cocaine was found at lethal levels in the body of the deceased.55 During full year 2006, there were 829 reported deaths in which cocaine was found at lethal levels in the body of the deceased.
- During 2006, there were 47,627 admissions to drug/alcohol treatment in Florida. There were 37,498 such treatment admissions during 2005. During 2004, there were 104,737 admissions to treatment.
- According to 2005-2006 NSDUH data, approximately 395,000 (2.63%) Florida citizens reported needing but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use within the past year.
- In the state of Florida it is estimated that there will be around 83,557 DUI's, and 994 deaths due to intoxicated driving this year. Statistics also show that there will be 5,065 deaths related to alcohol abuse, 25,958 tobacco related deaths, and 1,013 deaths due to illicit drug use.
- It is believed that there are around 872,981 marijuana users, 143,054 cocaine addicts, and 8,104 heroin addicts living in Florida. It is also estimated that there are 382,293 people abusing prescription drugs, 36,469 people that use inhalants, and 64,924 people who use hallucinogens.
- In Florida, there will be around 110,203 people arrested this year for drug related charges.
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Cocaine:
- Cocaine is the primary drug threat within Florida. Cocaine is smuggled via a variety of conveyances, to include commercial cargo vessel, private pleasure craft, cargo and passenger aircraft, and automobiles. Cocaine originates from South America and arrives in Florida directly from those sources, or via the U.S. Southwest Border with Mexico. Recently there has been a noted increase in Mexican organizations transporting and distributing large quantities of cocaine from Mexico to as far south as Palm Beach County. Cocaine originating directly from South American sources, as opposed to the U.S. Southwest Border, is destined for distribution to the eastern United States and Canada. The DEA Miami Field Division’s Nassau Country is in a pivotal position in that the Bahamas archipelago is a major transportation route used by trafficking organizations to smuggle cocaine across the Caribbean corridor via vessels, ranging from go fast to sports fishing types. Bimini is merely a short distance of 45 miles from the southeast Florida coastline and Freeport lies 60 miles from West Palm Beach.
- After the cocaine is smuggled into Florida, some is consumed locally within Miami, but the majority is destined for distribution to other areas of the state and outside Florida. A local market exists for cocaine in the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach areas, but much is designated for conversion into crack. On the west coast of Florida, Miami sources account for a portion of the cocaine found from Naples to the Tampa Bay area. Recently, sources from Mexico are transporting cocaine overland from the Southwest Border states into the Tampa Bay area. Cocaine is available in northern Florida, primarily from Mexican sources, but demand is mainly for the conversion into crack. Cocaine hydrochloride (HCl) is available throughout Florida from the gram to kilogram level. According to the 2006 Interim (January–June) Report of the Florida Medical Examiners, Jacksonville had the highest reported incidents of cocaine-related deaths (119 total), followed by West Palm Beach (90) and Orlando (84).
- Miami remains the primary source of cocaine HCl procured by crack cocaine trafficking organizations for transport and conversion within their areas. Mexican organizations have especially made inroads in north and central Florida. Drug trafficking organizations dealing in crack cocaine have been identified in Orlando, Gainesville, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach, thus demonstrating the availability of crack throughout Florida. Each of these areas has organizations capable of conducting crack cocaine conversion operations. African American and Haitian traffickers, as well as street gang members, continue to dominate crack distribution throughout Florida. Distribution generally centers around public housing developments and inner city areas. Organizations typically employ minors as lookouts and runners, who re-supply the street dealers from stash locations.
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Heroin:
- South Florida is a primary U.S. point of entry for South American heroin. Miami International Airport is the main importation venue for heroin, which is secreted by couriers or in air freight shipments. In many instances, heroin is commingled with cocaine shipments and smuggled through legitimate cargo, such as flowers originating from Colombia. Cruise ship passengers and crewmembers are also being utilized to smuggle heroin into South Florida and this is generally done via body carrying methods. The majority of the heroin entering Florida is destined for markets along the east coast of the U.S., as Florida does not have a significant heroin abuse problem. The highest concentration of heroin use in Florida is in the Orlando area. Heroin is a dominant threat there and the majority of the heroin in central Florida is South American in origin. Heroin in southwest Florida and the Tampa area originates from sources in Miami, Orlando and New York City. Most heroin distribution and transportation organizations have ties to Colombia and New York, and are active throughout Florida. Once the heroin enters Florida, it is transported out of state via automobiles, buses and trains to the northeast U.S. Although Florida does not have a high heroin abuse population, the 2006 Interim (January–June) Report of the Florida Medical Examiners reports that Fort Lauderdale had the highest reported incidents of heroin-related deaths (9 total), followed by Miami (5) and St. Petersburg (3).
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Methamphetamine:
- Methamphetamine has impacted the majority of Florida’s 67 counties and use is widespread. The 2006 Interim (January–June) Report of the Florida Medical Examiners reports there were 58 methamphetamine-related deaths throughout the state. Methamphetamine is transported into Florida in multi-pound increments by Mexican drug trafficking organizations based along the Southwest Border and California. Methamphetamine produced in super labs in Texas and California transits into Florida along the Interstate-10 corridor. A new trend has recently emerged which is the distribution of crystal methamphetamine from Atlanta area sources. Crystal methamphetamine, with high purity levels, is transported from Atlanta into northern Florida and then distributed throughout the state. There has been a significant increase in crystal methamphetamine use within the South Florida club scene.
- Methamphetamine labs became a growing threat within Florida in the past five years. Methamphetamine labs inundated the state starting in FY 2002, when there were 129 labs to FY 2006, when there were 245 labs. The majority of the labs are small-scale, producing gram amounts up to a maximum of 1-2 ounces per cook. But the dangers lie not simply in the quantity produced so much as the number of labs and the consequences derived from them. Most labs are set up anywhere and are almost always portable. They have been found and seized in mobile homes, hotel rooms, outdoor areas and near schools. In the past, methamphetamine labs were concentrated in west central Florida, around Tampa. But in the preceding three years a shift to northern Florida and the Panhandle occurred. Most recently, the central part of the state is experiencing an increased threat, but whereas before it was mainly in the Tampa area, it now extends east towards Orlando, and specifically Brevard County.
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Club Drugs:
- MDMA is the most readily available dangerous drug throughout Florida. MDMA is found at clubs and rave parties in all parts of Florida, and is frequently used in conjunction with other illegal and/or prescription drugs. MDMA is also found in higher amounts in areas with large populations of university/college students and during “spring break” events. LSD remains available in Florida; however, seizures are rare. GHB is also available, especially in and around colleges and universities. GHB is commonly abused in Florida, as well as two precursors - GBL and Butanediol (BD).
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Marijuana:
- Marijuana cultivation has become a lucrative business in Florida, especially indoor grow operations. These marijuana grows exist all over the state and are found in residential and rural areas in equal amounts. Numerous grow operations have been seized in South Florida and southwest Florida. Indoor cultivation has also risen in northern Florida. In the past several years, eradication efforts and weather patterns moved growers indoors. Additionally, within the state there are numerous supply stores that legally sell hydroponics agricultural equipment which is then utilized for marijuana cultivation. Domestically grown marijuana in Florida is coveted by users because the quality of the marijuana exceeds that of marijuana originating from Jamaica and Mexico. BC Bud marijuana from Canada is highly popular in the northeast section of the state, and organized groups in that area import it into Jacksonville for further distribution. Marijuana smuggled from the Bahamas is a significant problem as well. Caribbean polydrug transportation groups bring multi-pound quantities of marijuana into Florida from Caribbean locations via go fast vessels and other maritime conveyances. Marijuana is also imported into Florida from the Southwest Border. Tex/Mex marijuana is smuggled along Interstate-10 into the Panhandle.
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Pharmaceuticals and Other Drugs:
- Unprecedented increases in levels of abuse pose a serious threat to the health and safety of Florida citizens. The Florida Medical Examiners report that five people die in Florida daily as a direct result of prescription drug overdoses. Current investigations indicate that diversion of hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin®) and oxycodone (e.g. OxyContin®) products are a problem. Benzodiapezines (such as Xanax® and its generic alprazolam) and methadone are also identified as being among the most commonly abused and diverted pharmaceuticals in Florida. Primary methods of diversion include the Internet, illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping,” forged prescriptions and employee theft. Florida has emerged as a center for Internet holding companies which organize (and sometimes control) websites, physicians, pharmacies, and even pharmaceutical wholesalers. The Tampa area has become “ground zero” for Internet diversion.
Florida was admitted as the 27th state in 1845, it is the most populous of the Southern states. The capital is Tallahassee, located in the northwestern panhandle. The climate and scenery of the “Sunshine State” have long attracted enormous numbers of visitors. Tourism has surpassed agriculture and manufacturing as the main component of Florida’s economy, and the prospect of employment in the state’s rapidly growing service sector has simultaneously drawn many immigrants, mostly from Latin America. Consequently, Florida has regularly ranked among the states with the fastest-growing immigrant population.
Florida’s Demographic
- Population (2006 American Community Survey): 18,089,8891
- Race/Ethnicity (2006 American Community Survey): 76.1% white; 15.4% black/African American; 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native; 2.2% Asian; 0.1% Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander; 4.3% other; 1.8% two or more races; 20.1% Hispanic/Latino origin (of any race)