Expert Insights
Good news: Florida’s innovative Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) program is expanding, adding five new counties to its network. CORE is designed to help addicted individuals achieve not just abstinence, but stabilization in all areas of their lives. It addresses mental health, physical health, and social and economic needs such as housing and career training, in addition to substance use. I hope this holistic, whole-life approach continues to expand in Florida and catches on elsewhere. Addressing the reasons why people turn to substances to cope with life problems should result in more substantial and sustainable healing.
~ Rita Milios
How Much Does Rehab Cost in Florida?
Florida is ranked 21st nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of addiction treatment of $56,640.
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,638
- Inpatient rehab in Florida costs an average of $49,981
- Outpatient rehab in Florida costs and average of $8,305
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,379
The costs of drug and alcohol rehab in Florida vary widely and depend on several factors, including:
Treatment setting (inpatient or outpatient)
Features and amenities (luxury or standard rehab facility)
Duration of program (30, 60, or 90 days)
Health insurance plan
Choosing a rehab facility in-network with health insurance provider
Government funding
Location (city vs. suburb)
How to Pay for Rehab in Florida
As of 2020, there were over 700 rehab facilities across the state of Florida. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
682 accept self-payment or cash
423 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
309 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
212 accept Florida Medicaid coverage
542 accept private health insurance
244 offer free or low-cost treatment
12 offer free treatment for all clients
64 accept tribal funding
Drug and Alcohol Statistics in Florida
Statistics related to Florida drug and alcohol rehab admissions include:3
White (non-Hispanic) admissions made up the largest demographic at 68%.
Black or African American admissions were the next highest demographic at 22%.
Approximately 23% of admissions were youths between the ages of 12 and 19.
Male admissions exceeded female admissions by more than 20%.
There were 106,891 EMS overdose responses in the state of Florida during 2021.
In 2021, Naloxone was administered in the state a total of 44,614 times.
During the first half of 2021, total drug-related deaths increased by 7 percent (513 more).
In the first half of 2021, fentanyl was found most frequently in drug-related deaths.
What is the Marchman Act? (And Other Florida Drug Laws)
Florida policy makers have enacted the following laws related to substance misuse and overdoses:1,2,3,4
Florida’s Marchman Act: In 1993, the Marchman Act (Florida’s Substance Abuse Impairment Act) combined legislation, service provider licensure, and client rights regarding substance use disorders and alcohol use disorders into a single piece of legislation. The act:
- Ensures persons with SUD or AUD maintain their dignity and confidentiality when seeking treatment.
- Establishes protocols for inpatient and outpatient therapies, including detox.
- Details methods for Florida residents to be admitted involuntarily to rehab, including through drug courts.
- Clarifies parental rights for admitting youth into Florida rehabs.
Juvenile Possession Laws: Florida laws distinguish types and amounts of drugs to deem possession of each substance as a simple misdemeanor or felony/intent to sell.
- Cocaine: Possession of any amount is a third-degree felony. Possession of 28 grams or more is a first-degree felony.
- Prescription drugs: Possession without a valid prescription is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- Heroin: Possession of less than 10 grams is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, driver’s license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. Possession of more than 10 grams can result in up to 30 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and revocation of driver’s license for 2 years.
- MDMA/Ecstasy: Possession of less than 10 grams is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Possession of 10 grams or more is considered trafficking, which carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 3 years, and a max of 30.
- Meth: Possession of less than 14 grams is a third-degree felony. Possession of more than 14 grams is considered trafficking and has a minimum mandatory prison sentence.
Florida Good Samaritan Law: This law protects Florida residents who seek or receive emergency medical assistance during a suspected overdose. It is meant to save lives by removing fear of arrest or prosecution for:
- Possession or use of a controlled substance
- Possession or use of drug paraphernalia
- Providing alcohol to minors
DUI Law: Florida law prohibits driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or chemical substances, which is indicated by a BAC of .08 or above. Penalties for a first DUI offense include a fine of between $500 and $1,000 and, if BAC is .15 or higher or there was a minor in the vehicle, a fine of between $1,000 and $2,000.
HB 807 (Sober Living Laws): Sober living laws like Florida’s HB 807 root out corruption by imposing criminal penalties on sober home operators who fraudulently market an unlicensed facility or run a sober home without a license. The bill also requires stringent background checks and imposes heightened penalties for violations of existing state guidelines.
SB 8-A: In November 2016, the state Senate passed Florida Amendment 2, allowing use of marijuana to qualified patients. As a result, marijuana became accessible with a doctor’s prescription when dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center. Doctors are required to undergo special training before they can prescribe medical marijuana.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2022). Findtreatment.gov.
- Statista. (2020). Number of substance abuse treatment clients in the U.S. as of 2020, by state.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2019). Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2019 (Revised): Admissions to and Discharges From Publicly Funded Substance Use Treatment.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). What is excessive alcohol use?
- United Health Foundation. (2022). America’s Health Rankings Annual Report: Excessive Drinking in Florida.
- World Health Organization. (2018.) Global status report on alcohol and health 2018.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. (2016). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.
- United Health Foundation. (2022). America’s Health Rankings Annual Report.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Drug Overdose Deaths.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition), Principles of Effective Treatment.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Nicotine).
- Häuser, W., Hagl, M., Schmierer, A., & Hansen, E. (2016). The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 113(17), 289–296.
- Fals-Stewart, W., O’Farrell, T. J., & Birchler, G. R. (2004). Behavioral couples therapy for substance abuse: rationale, methods, and findings. Science & practice perspectives, 2(2), 30–41.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41. 1 Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41. 2 Types of Groups Commonly Used in Substance Abuse Treatment.
- Rahman A, Paul M. (2021). Delirium Tremens. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
- Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register. (2019). Common Licensing Standards.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition), Alcohol Addiction.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2020). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2020 Data on Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2021). Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders.
- Telehealth.hhs.gov. Tele-treatment for substance use disorders.
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (2022). Florida Coastal Access Guide.
- State of Florida Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse Program. (2003). Marchman Act User Reference Guide 2003.
- National Institutes of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Drug use severity in adolescence affects substance use disorder risk in adulthood
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Medications for Substance Use Disorders.
