Expert Insights
Orlando’s Flagler County jail is home to the first-ever jailhouse addiction treatment program, and from everything I’ve read so far, it’s doing wonderfully. The Successful Mental Health Addiction Recovery Treatment program – also known as S.M.A.R.T. – allows inmates with substance abuse and alcohol abuse issues to live together in an area with counselors and teachers who are in recovery. According to Flagler County Jail Chief Daniel Engert, the numbers simply don’t lie. Since June of 2022, 31 inmates have graduated from the program. Only eight out of the 31 have relapsed and been rearrested, which is around 25%. According to the Sheriff, however, on average the relapse and rearrest rate is over 50%! We need to see more of these programs across the state and the nation!
~ Rita Milios
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Orlando?
Many different factors contribute to cost. These can range from the type of setting you are searching for to the length of the program and amenities. The average cost of outpatient drug rehab in Florida can have a price range from $1,000-1,700 or more, while the average cost of inpatient can range over $50,000.
Private Insurance
All insurance providers are required to cover mental health substance abuse services in some capacity. Contact your provider to confirm specific coverage, including any applicable deductibles and copays.
TRICARE in Florida
Florida TRICARE (South Region) is a program funded by the government that provides health insurance coverage for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE coverage includes addiction services, such as rehab and medication-assisted treatment.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehab
The Indian Health Service funds care for Indigenous people and Alaskan Natives. These Florida residents may obtain free addiction treatment, even if other insurance coverage is available.
Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Orlando
Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded program that helps with healthcare costs for eligible individuals. If your income is below a certain level determined by the state you live in, you may qualify for Medicaid. Choosing to use your insurance or Medicaid, if you are eligible, can make the cost more affordable.
According to the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), health insurers and group health plans must cover mental health and substance use care in the same way that they cover other medical treatments like surgery.
To find free accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Orlando, you can contact the Florida Department of Children and Families.
How Do You Finance Addiction Treatment in Orlando?
If free drug and alcohol rehabs in Orlando are full or unavailable, you have other options.
Some of these options include faith-based treatment centers, non-profit drug programs, or government-funded programs. You can also apply for medical loans or financing to pay for rehabilitation.
Choose a Program That Offers Payment Plans: Payment plans partition the cost of care into monthly payments that are usually more affordable than paying for the full cost at once. Payment plans usually become payable after you complete the program.
Payment plans can be arranged directly with a given facility. Some facilities may offer a payment plan if you are paying for the cost out of pocket instead of using insurance.
Apply for a Scholarship: An addiction scholarship is a financial award that you may receive if you don’t have the financial means to pay for care. Scholarships can either pay for the full cost or a portion. Applying for scholarships can often be demanding because they usually are not openly advertised.
Find a Sliding-Scale Program: Addiction treatment centers may offer a sliding-scale fee to help make rehab more affordable to you. A sliding-scale fee is based on your income and ability to pay.
How Does Orlando Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Orlando is the county seat of Orange County. With a population of more than 328,000, it is the 4th largest city in Florida and the 60th largest city in the United States. However, the State of Florida has seen an exponential increase in overdoes associated with the synthetic opioid fentanyl. In fact, more than 6,150 Floridians died from drug overdoses involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in 2020. If you or someone you love is battling substance abuse or addiction, there are nearly 50 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Orlando to help get you on the path to recovery.
In 2019, 0.9% (approximately 165,000) individuals in Florida had an opioid use disorder within the past year.
Abuse of prescription medication in Florida among individuals was at 4.1% (approximately 752,000) in 2019.
Alcohol use disorders in the state of Florida were at 4.2% (approximately 770,000) individuals.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Orlando
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 fewer 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 fewer 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 fewer 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, and 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.
Resources
- World Population Review. (2022). Orlando, Florida Population 2020 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). Worldpopulationreview.com.
- FLORIDA PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ALERT: FENTANYL OVERDOSES (n.d.). Stjohns.floridahealth.gov.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (2022). Cost of Rehab.
- Bushnell, G. A., Gaynes, B. N., Compton, S. N., Dusetzina, S. B., Olfson, M., & Stürmer, T. (2019). Incident Substance Use Disorder Following Anxiety Disorder in Privately Insured Youth.
