Expert Insights
I was horrified to read an article about a nurse judging a person in a detox facility, stating that voluntary patients were more motivated and compliant than court-ordered patients. As a person who knows several people who have successfully recovered through court-ordered programs, I think the nurse’s comments were unfair and biased. Providers are not supposed to judge their patients, period. By stating that someone is more motivated than the next person is like saying that some people aren’t deserving of treatment and implies a moral choice over drug use. As a provider, they would know that substance use disorder is a mental health disorder and it is deserving of treatment just like any other. Not everybody is successful at recovery the first time, but if court ordered programs didn’t exist, I believe people struggling with addiction would have even less of a shot at recovery. I think we need to do better as providers in treating people with mental health conditions with dignity and stop stigmatizing – then we might have a better shot at saving some lives.
~ Olivia Pennelle
Cost of Drug Rehab in Tallahassee
The cost of rehab in Tallahassee will vary according to the:
The types of treatment offered (e.g., inpatient vs. outpatient)
The amenities offered (e.g., basic vs. luxury or high-end)
The length of treatment
The types of insurance it accepts
The financial aid or sliding scale fees it offers
The amount of government funding it receives (if any)
Medicare, Medicaid, military insurance, and private insurance usually pay a portion of your care. Inpatient facilities cost more since they provide treatment plus room and board. Rehabs with luxury accommodations and high-end amenities (pools, tennis courts, spas, holistic treatments, etc.) cost more too.
You should be aware that your out-of-pocket expenses are usually lower with an in-network facility if you have private insurance. Call the number on the back of your insurance card or one of our specialists to find a facility that accepts your insurance plan.
If you don’t have health insurance, rehabs that accept government funding can provide lower-cost care.
Tallahassee Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics
In 2019, 60,292 people in Florida, 12 years old and older, received treatment at alcohol and drug rehabs.3

14,346 received treatment for alcohol use disorder.

13,115 received treatment for marijuana/hashish use.

7,006 received care for heroin addiction.

5,987 received care for misuse of other opioids.
In 2019, 4,547 people received treatment for cocaine use in Florida.
In 2019, 2,992 people received treatment for methamphetamine use in Florida.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Tallahassee
The Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law: Under this law, when you call 911 for a suspected drug overdose, you can do so without fear of punishment. You won’t be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia surrounding a suspected or known drug overdose. This applies whether you are calling for yourself or someone else.21
A program in Florida allows you to pick up naloxone at a pharmacy without a prescription.4 Giving naloxone and calling 911 if you suspect an overdose saves lives.5
Family and Medical Leave Act: If you’re employed by a company with 50 or more workers, you’re entitled to time off for treatment of a medical condition that prevents you from performing your job. Treatment for alcohol and SUDs is covered under this law. You may take up to 12 weeks off in a 12-month period. You may use vacation time, sick leave, or take unpaid time off.22
Drug Courts: The goal of the Leon County Felony Drug Court is to provide care to adults with SUD, provided they do not have an extensive criminal history. The participants agree to remain sober, find employment, or attend school. Treatment lasts 12 months, and charges are dropped upon completion of the program.23
The Leon County Veterans Treatment Court recognized the medical problems veterans face that stem from their military service, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and SUD. The Veterans Treatment Court provides care, assistance with housing and assistance with vocational training, education, or job placement. The program lasts between 12 and 24 months.24
Marchman Act: The Marchman Act strives to treat addicted individuals rather than punish them. The goal is SUD prevention, intervention, and treatment in community-based, not-for-profit rehabs. Under the Marchman Act, a person can be involuntarily admitted to treatment.25
One of our specialists is ready to help you find accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Tallahassee. You can call anytime and take the first step toward lasting recovery.
Resources
- Tallahassee, Florida Population 2020 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). (n.d.). Worldpopulationreview.com.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 1). Drug Overdose Mortality by State. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Livability. (2021, December 1). 10 Places to Get a Fresh Start: Tallahassee, Florida.
- Choose Tallahassee. (2022). Discover Why More People Choose Tallahassee.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. (2021). Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2019 (Revised).
- Medical Examiners Commission 2020 Annual Report. (2022). Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health care (inpatient).
- CMS.gov. (2021, November 12). 2022 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles.
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.). What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
- Agency for Health Care Administration. (2022). Medicaid Eligibles Reports.
- Florida Department of Children and Families. (2022). Family Related Medicaid Income Limits.
- Florida Department of Children and Families. (2022). Office of Economic Self Sufficiency: Medicaid
- Florida Department of Children and Families. (2022). Family-Related Medicaid Program Fact Sheet.
- Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health and substance abuse coverage.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
- DISC Village. (n.d.). Fees.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). What is Substance Abuse Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, September 18). Principles of Effective Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Tip 27: Comprehensive Case Management for Substance Abuse Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Finding Quality Treatment for Substance Use Disorders.
- The Florida Legislature. (2021). Drug Abuse Prevention and Control.
- U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.) Family and Medical Leave Act.
- The 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida. (n.d.). Leon County Felony Drug Court.
- The 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida. (n.d.). Leon County Veterans Treatment Court.
- Duchene, D., Lane, P. (2009). Fundamentals of the Marchman Act. State University Systems of Florida.