Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinics in Florida

Detox clinics in Florida must follow state guidelines for health standards. Learn what to look for here.

9
minute read

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Florida detox clinics are special because they have to follow state laws about how to operate. Learn how to find a safe and reputable detox center in Florida here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


What is Medical Detox?

Medical detox is a medically supervised process of removing drugs or alcohol from the body. During detox, a physician will oversee the entire withdrawal process. This way, s/he can address withdrawal symptoms as they occur. This type of medical support includes:
  • Medical supervision and intervention
  • Observation
  • Emotional support

Typically, medical detox helps a lot. In fact, a good detox rehab center can increase your chances of successful treatment. How? A reputable center will create a personalized withdrawal plan for you. The goal is to minimize the side effects of withdrawal. This way, you can lower or eliminate the intensity of symptoms.


Detox is the first step to addiction recovery.


Detoxing in Florida

If you’re ready to detox, there are a few things that you should know. In Florida, laws have been set up to make sure that the clinic is safe.* Most detox clinics are safe and comfortable. However, if you are not satisfied with an inpatient or outpatient detox center, you can submit a complaint to the SAMH website. [1]

The basics on Florida detox:

  1. First, a detox clinic needs to be licensed to operate in the state. You can find a list of licensed inpatient and outpatient detox centers below [2]. Or, you can check license verification with the Florida State Department of Health. [3]
  2. Second, the detox clinic needs to be operating using standard procedures. For example, a detox facility must have a physician on call at all times to address medical problems and to provide emergency medical services. You can find a complete list of operational standards in the 65D-30.006 Standards for Detoxification F.A.C.
  3. Third, detox clinics must maintain a patient-staff ratio. There need to be at least one nurse and one nursing support staff member in each facility that treat 1-15 patients at a time.

Call us to talk about your detox options in Florida today.


How Does Detox in Florida Work?

 A good detox program in Florida begins with assessment. Reputable clinics will work with you to establish levels of drug/alcohol dependence. The assessment will determine the treatment and care required. Assessment should include:
  • A drug screen, usually a urine sample
  • An intake questionnaire
  • Interviews
  • Family history
  • Medical history

A registered nurse or other qualified nursing specialist should be present to administer an initial assessment. And a physician should be available to assess you within 24 hours of admission or sooner, if medically necessary. Then, physicians should provide onsite monitoring of care and further evaluation on a daily basis.


A good detox clinic will create a custom plan for withdrawal.


Once you completed assessment, the detox program should outline a treatment plan. This includes details on how long the detox will last, dosage and tapering protocols, and other medicines. The medical team will also addresses common withdrawal side effects, such as dehydration and nutrition imbalances. Nutrition support, rest, medical monitoring, psychological therapy, and drug tapering give patients a more comfortable experience as they stop using a substance.

REMEMBER: Detox and withdrawal are different for everyone!

For this reason, medical help and customized care is absolutely crucial.

Inpatient Florida Detox Centers

When should you stay in a clinic overnight? You should choose drug detox Florida inpatient care anytime you are drug or alcohol dependent. If quitting creates withdrawal symptoms, you’ll benefit from medical help.

Inpatient detoxification provides 24-hour support for people who are going through drug or alcohol withdrawal. In Florida, clinics need to offer standard services such as:

  1. Stabilization
  2. Supportive counseling
  3. Daily activities
  4. Involuntary assessment and disposition

The primary goal of inpatient detox is to ensure that you are medically stable. At this level of care, physicians are available 24 hours per day by telephone. A nurse will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring your progress, as well as medication administration on an hourly basis, if needed. Constant care and support is key!

Quick intervention is possible when you are in a Florida inpatient detox. So, if symptoms become complicated, staff can act immediately. This is why inpatient clinics are staffed by nurses, physician assistants, and staff who are in contact with a supervising doctor around-the-clock. In this way, doctors can prescribe you medications to address withdrawal symptoms AND set up tapering guidelines that are supervised over time.

However, inpatient detox is just the beginning of treatment. Once you become bio-psycho-socially stable, a good center will link you to other appropriate inpatient and outpatient services.


Inpatient detox includes medical guidance and emotional support.


Outpatient Florida Detox Centers

Outpatient services for detoxification are usually provided in regularly scheduled sessions and delivered under a defined set of policies and procedures or medical protocol. This type of detoxification is considered when you meet specific conditions. These include:

  1. Your overall medical condition is good.
  2. Your overall stability and behavioral condition is good.
  3. You have a family support system who can help during the detoxification process. Your family will also monitor your compliance with the medical protocol.
  4. You understand the importance of managing withdrawal utilizing medications and will comply with the medical protocol.

In this level of care, services aim to:

  • Achieve safe and comfortable withdrawal from mood-altering drugs.
  • Effectively facilitate your transition into treatment and recovery.
  • Treat your specific level of clinical severity.

In Florida, outpatient detox programs require random drug screening at least once weekly. And you may be referred to inpatient detox if necessary. Plus, counseling services once weekly are also required if you choose this level of care.

Outpatient settings include your doctor’s office, a treatment center, or even in your own home. If you attend a clinic, a physician, or an ARNP or a PA working under the supervision of a physician, must be available and on-call during operating hours. Plus an RN – or an LPN working under the supervision of an RN – as well as a counselor must be on-site during operating hours. These members of staff may help monitor you over a period of several hours each day of service in order to provide help when need.

State Sponsored Detox in Florida

The Florida State Department of Children and Families provides treatment for substance abuse through a community-based provider system. So, people in need of medical assistance to withdraw from drugs and alcohol can get help with detoxification in many communities throughout Florida.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health, or SAMH, program is the single state authority on substance abuse and mental health as designated by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , SAMHSA. The program is governed by Chapters 394 and 397 of the Florida Statutes and is responsible for the oversight of a statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.

The following programs offer detoxification, treatment and recovery support for adolescents and adults affected by substance misuse, abuse, or dependence: Florida State Addiction Providers. [4]

Detox for Veterans in Florida

Florida has the third largest veteran population in the nation. With more than 1.5 million veterans, Florida is very veteran-friendly. But if you’re facing a drug or alcohol problem…what can you do?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide services for Veterans with substance use problems. The services depend on your specific needs. These include medically managed detoxification to stop substance use safely as well as services to get stable. To access these services, first apply for VA health care.[5]

If you have never been seen in a VA hospital or clinic (or don’t have a VA primary care provider)…

    1. Find a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program in Florida.
    2. Call the general information hotline at 1-800-827-1000.
    3. Contact a VA medical center in Florida

If you have a VA doctor, talk with your primary care provide about substance use. S/He can help you get screened for addiction.

If you served in recent operations, call your local VA medical center, and ask to speak to the OEF/OIF/OND coordinator.

If you have an immediate need, you are NOT alone! For 24-hour counseling or advice, you can call a hotline. Hotlines will connect your confidentially to emotional support and community resources, 24 hours a day.

  • Just dial: 2-1-1
  • Florida Veterans Support Line: 1-844-693-5838
  • National Veteran Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Help is available regardless of discharge status. When you call any of these hotlines, you will speak with someone who is trained to provide immediate emotional support. Calls are answered by a network of local, non-profit organizations throughout Florida. You’ll be referred to both VA and non-VA resources, including non-profit organizations, community programs and local government services.

Forced Detox in Florida

Q: Can the authorities force you in detox in Florida?
A: Yes, you can be required to be assessed for treatment or treated involuntarily when substance abuse is reported and deemed to be a threat to yourself or others.

The Marchman Act: Florida Statutes Ann. § 397.301 to 397.998

Florida’s Substance Abuse Impairment Act governs the voluntary and involuntary commitment and treatment for substance abuse. The Marchman Act permits a person to be admitted for assessment or treatment for substance abuse against his or her will in various ways, according to specified procedures and criteria. Protective custody lasts up to 72 hours and can be extended once assessment or treatment begins.[6]

For example, a police officer can have you placed in protective custody if you exhibit a need for addiction treatment:

  1. In a public place.
  2. In a way that attracts the officer’s attention.

Additionally, any responsible person with knowledge of a person’s substance abuse may apply to have that person admitted in an emergency if the person is likely to harm himself or herself or others or is so impaired that he or she cannot recognize the need for treatment. A spouse, relative, guardian, or three adults with knowledge of the person’s substance abuse may petition the court for involuntary treatment.

Detox Can Save Lives

Q: So, does detox help?

A: Yes, detox can help a lot. It can even save your life.

A typical detox involves tapering protocols, medications, and emotional support. And while most cases of detox are NOT life-threatening, some are. Each case is different. You cannot underestimate the possibility of complications with mood or thoughts.

So, the safest way to get off a substance comfortably is under medical care. Whether someone is addicted to alcohol or heroin or methamphetamine (or a combination), a good clinic uses specific medical treatments to minimize the risk of complications and maximize comfort levels.

Why attempt detox on your own? It’s just too risky.

Instead, reach out and give us a call today. We can talk you through the process and explain what to expect. Just remember that you are not alone. One step at a time…and you can live a life without drugs or alcohol!

Let’s verify your coverage for treatment at an American Addiction Centers location. Your information is kept 100% confidential.

 

Reference Sources: * The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office of the Florida Department of Children and Families is responsible for oversight of the licensure and regulation of all detox clinics and substance abuse providers in the state. The licensure process is governed and regulated by Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 65D-30 of the Florida Administrative Code.
[1] SAMH: Complaint
[2] Department of Children and Families: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office: Licensed Providers by City
[3] Florida State Department of Health: Health License Verification
[4] State of Florida: Addiction Providers
[5] U.S. Department of veterans Affairs: How to Apply for VA Health Care
[6] The Marchman Act: Florida Statutes Ann. § 397.301 to 397.998
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment, Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45.) 2 Settings, Levels of Care, and Patient Placement.
Department of Children and Families: Licensure and Regulation of SAMH
Department of Children and Families: Treatment for Substance Abuse
Florida Administrative Code: 65D-30.006 Standards for Detoxification.
Florida Administrative Code: Rule Chapter: 65D-30, SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES OFFICE
Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Florida Veteran’s Support Line
Florida Veteran’s Support Line: Find VA Locations
Florida Veteran’s Support Line: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program
OLR Research Report: FLORIDA LAW ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
The 2017 Florida Statutes, Title XXIX, Chapter 397
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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