Top Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Fort Lauderdale, FL & Free Treatment Resources

Fort Lauderdale Drug and Alcohol Statistics

Residents of Florida reported over 22% of adults engaged in binge or heavy drinking in 2020.^1,2

Residents of Florida reported over 12% of adults engaged in Illicit drug use in 2020.¹

Over 9% of Florida residents experienced an AUD in 2020, while 14% had a substance use disorder (SUD).²

Engaging in heavy drinking does not automatically lead to alcoholism or mean you have an alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, an AUD can be developed from heavy drinking or binge drinking.

Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Fort Lauderdale, FL

The cost of Fort Lauderdale alcohol rehabs and drug rehabs can vary greatly. One of the factors that will impact the price tag is the type of treatment you receive. Types of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction include:⁴

• Detoxification treatment (sometimes with medication)
• Residential inpatient programs where you stay overnight at the facility
• Short-term and long-term outpatient care
• Telehealth services
• Ongoing counseling therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy

The type of treatment is not the only factor contributing to the cost of rehab. Some facilities are funded by the state and can offer free care to patients. Other rehabs provide luxurious amenities and cost thousands of dollars.

Free Treatment Options in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Free treatment options do exist, and many facilities will also work with you to offer financial assistance where needed. When searching for “drug rehabs near me,” you will find that some of the Fort Lauderdale drug rehabs are state-funded, which means they offer treatment at no cost to those who qualify. To see a list of state-funded rehabs in your area, visit the government website, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and search the directory of free rehabs in Florida.⁵

You may need to prove that you are a resident in Florida or provide income information to qualify for free treatment.

While free treatment centers often have fewer amenities and higher staff-to-patient ratios than private rehabs, they still offer quality care that is evidence-based and effective.

Insurance

You may not qualify for free treatment, but thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all state-funded insurance policies, including Medicaid and Medicare, are required to provide coverage for addiction treatment.⁶

To qualify for Medicaid, you must be part of an eligible group including low-income individuals, pregnant women, children, or those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).⁷

To qualify for Medicare, you must be an American citizen over 65 years or have a qualifying disability.⁸

If you have private insurance instead of state-funded coverage, the policy most likely covers some of the costs associated with rehab. Private insurance policies utilize things like copays and deductibles to share costs with you at various levels. Check with your insurance provider to find out what treatments are covered, which treatment facilities are in your insurer’s network, and how much you will pay out of pocket.

Rehab Scholarships and Sliding Scales

Many rehabs will offer some forms of assistance to help you cover any costs not paid for by state funds or insurance companies. Scholarships are paid for by government money or private donors to help those that need them. Also, some facilities offer sliding scale fees where a discounted rate is offered based on income or other information.

Should I Travel to Fort Lauderdale for Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

How do you know if traveling to Fort Lauderdale for drug and alcohol treatment is the best decision? Some things to consider are:

• Whether the treatment you need is offered in Fort Lauderdale
• If you have friends or family in Fort Lauderdale that you want to be near during rehab
• What your insurance covers in Fort Lauderdale
• If you would like to attend rehab in Fort Lauderdale instead of the area you live for privacy reasons

Neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Fort Lauderdale has many beautiful neighborhoods to consider when looking for treatment in Florida. Here are just some of the options in the area.

Coral Ridge

Coral Ridge is an upscale neighborhood in eastern Fort Lauderdale. Aside from the beautiful beaches and waterways, it also has a country club offering a golf course and tennis courts.

Colee Hammock

Established in 1916, Colee Hammock is one of the area’s oldest neighborhoods. It is located in the city center and is filled with historic homes, beautiful oak trees, and plenty of parks where you can sit by the river.

Victoria Park

This neighborhood has over 95 acres of parks. Walking trails will lead you to Fort Lauderdale beach, as well as shops, restaurants, and cafes, all within walking distance. A favorite spot for the community is the expansive recreational center, Holiday Park. The massive park includes basketball courts, tennis courts, squash courts, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields, a roller hockey rink, and beautiful walking and biking trails to explore.

Tarpon River

Tarpon River is a neighborhood adjacent to the central business district of Fort Lauderdale. It is aptly named after the Tarpon River that runs along the area’s border, feeding into the New River. The neighborhood is perfectly located just minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale but provides a pleasant suburban atmosphere.

How Do I Choose a Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

When you search for “alcohol rehabs near me,” you may be overwhelmed by the options available in Fort Lauderdale.

Often, receiving a substance abuse assessment helps identify what type of care you need. Your primary care physician or a rehab staff member will ask questions to determine the level of care that is best for you and if you have any specialized needs to consider when choosing a facility.

Once you know more about what you are looking for, there are still factors to keep in mind when making your decision. Try asking some of these questions to narrow down your choices:⁹

• Does the rehab address any specialized care needs you have?
• What does the success rate look like for previous patients?
• How does the rehab center respond to relapses?
• Is the location convenient for you?
• What amenities are you looking for in a treatment center?
• What are the program rules regarding visitors?
• What are the costs of the program and what financial assistance is available?

Types of Addiction Treatment Programs in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Treatment programs differ from place to place. There are varying levels of care as well as specialized services offered across the city.

Levels of Care

The intensity of treatment you receive will vary from program to program. The highest level of care starts with inpatient or residential treatment. This is where you stay overnight at the facility. The level of intensity steps down from there to the standard outpatient level. Typically, it looks something like this:

Standard outpatient treatment requires the least time commitment to participate, usually requiring only a few hours of meetings per week in individual therapy or support groups. This type of rehab is perfect for someone in long-term recovery who just needs ongoing counseling and life skills coaching to avoid relapsing

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are more involved than the standard treatment, requiring a few hours of therapy several days a week.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are the most intensive, with several hours in an inpatient setting each day. Many people enter PHPs after finishing inpatient rehab or detox programs.

Specialized Care

The term specialized care refers to additional considerations that should be noted when creating your individualized treatment plan. Some examples of specialized care include:

• Christian rehab that offers prayer, worship, or other faith-based services
• Holistic practices such as yoga, meditation, or nutritional counseling
• Luxury centers with resort-like amenities
• Executive rehab for the working professional
• Telehealth appointments
• Dual Diagnosis which provides care for multiple conditions simultaneously
• Treatment catered to veterans, LGBTQ+, or other populations

Alcohol and Drug Laws in Fort Lauderdale

The Marchman Act: The Marchman Act was a law passed in Florida to make sure you can get treatment for a substance use disorder, even if you are not in the right state of mind to make choices for yourself. This law encourages you to enter treatment voluntarily but also provides a path for you to enter treatment involuntarily if the situation calls for such action in specific circumstances.¹⁰

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): This is a federal law that is also enacted in Florida. A company that employs 50 or more people is required to accommodate you if you voluntarily choose to take time off work and attend alcohol rehab.¹⁰ This law protects your job during the time you are in rehab but does not require your employer to pay you for your time off. You are allowed to take 12 weeks off in a 12-month time period.

Treatment Opportunities for Individuals Convicted of Non-Violent Crimes: In Florida, if you have been convicted of a non-violent crime and have an alcohol use disorder, there are two other options for you besides going to jail.
 
The Pretrial Intervention Program allows you to enter treatment for a year instead of spending time in jail. This program is offered to those who are first-time offenders charged with a substance abuse-related offense.¹¹
 
The Diversionary Treatment Program (DTP) is a similar program that provides treatment for substance abuse and prevents felons from returning to prison.¹¹.

Florida Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law: Florida’s Good Samaritan law encourages anyone who witnesses or experiences an overdose to call 911 for emergency care without fear of being arrested or charged with an offense.¹² This law is in place to ensure all get the care they need during an emergency situation.

Seeking treatment is important and shouldn’t be hindered by barriers such as the cost of treatment or fear of losing your job. Many programs can help you afford treatment, and laws exist to protect your job while you receive care.

If you or someone you know needs help with drug or alcohol addiction, please call 800-926-9037 (Who Answers?) to speak to a treatment specialist about what treatment is right for you.

Resources

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Florida State-Specific Tables.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). 2016-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health National Maps of Prevalence Estimates, by State.
3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Drinking Levels Defined | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov). National Institutes of Health.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Types of Treatment Programs.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Single State Agency Directory.
6. Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health and substance abuse health coverage options.
7. Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Eligibility Medicaid.
8. Mentalhealth.gov. (n.d.). Health Insurance and Mental Health Services.
9. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help.National Institutes of Health.
10. Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research. (2012). Florida law on substance abuse treatment.
11. Broward County Sheriff’s Office. (2020). Department of Community Programs.
12. The Florida Legislature. (2021). Florida 2021 Statutes.