ARTICLE OVERVIEW: This article reviews the pros and cons of traveling for treatment. Plus, we examine the real costs of living or staying in Florida for short or long periods of time. Your questions are welcomed at the end.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Why Travel for Rehab
- The Statistics
- PROs and CONs
- Visiting a Loved One in Rehab
- Travel to and from Florida
- Average Cost of Living
- Short Term Rentals
- Hotels
- Other Places to Stay
- Your Questions
Why Travel for Rehab
The fact is this: Attending an inpatient rehabs in another states often leads to greater completion rates. The idea is that in order to focus solely on recovery, sometimes an out-of-state, complete change of scene is needed.
Often, outpatient providers may be available in your hometown. But if you attend an outpatient clinic, how much change. But if you attend an outpatient clinic near your home, how much change really happens? The responsibilities and distractions of the home environment are there. You may even have to work.
This article reviews the benefits of traveling to Florida for rehab. We’ll review the associated costs and how to plan for your stay. We’ll also look at accommodations and what to expect if you visit a loved one in rehab. Finally, we invite you to call us for help. If you have any questions, our hotline operators are standing by.
Need help for addiction? You do not need to suffer alone. Call our hotline and you’ll speak with a compassionate addiction recovery specialist.
The Statistics
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted in 2016 has shown alarming results in drug use trends throughout the U.S. We break down the main important stats here:
- An estimated 10.6 percent of the population aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users in 2016, about 28.6 million people. Stated another way, 1 in 10 individuals aged 12 or older in the United States used illicit drugs.
- Approximately 2.0 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in 2016 were current users of illicit drugs, which represents 7.9 percent of adolescents.
- In 2016, an estimated 21.0 million people aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment.
Quality addiction treatment can help.
You are not alone.
Treatment centers increase your chances of getting better. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Our hotline is available 24/7.
PROs and CONs of Traveling to Florida for Rehab
PROs:
1. Change in environment.
Staying away from places, activities and people who were around you during addiction, can be healing itself. You will not be tempted to go back to your old habits. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you create new experiences. A new location – especially rehabs in Florida – brings with it a healthier support network, new perspectives, and the change you are expecting.
2. Increased commitment.
Treatment is a highly sensitive and important process. It requires transition, active participation, and time. Once you enter rehab, it’s normal to want to go back to your old lifestyles. But when you have traveled miles for treatment, your sense of accountability can be even stronger. The new relationships with the treatment staff and your peers may inspire you to stay and complete the process of recovery.
3. Privacy and confidentiality.
Some people worry about the professional and social impact of addiction treatment. They also don’t want anyone to find out they went to rehab, thinking they might be judged because of that or face professional consequences. Attending rehab in Florida can help you secure your anonymity. Also, you could feel more comfortable to discuss your problems with your peers and staff, as they are all new to you and you had no connection before. That is why traveling to a different city/state can be advantageous if your reputation and privacy matter to you.
4. Creating a new life and a fresh start.
Once you enroll to a rehab program in the Sunshine State, you can get the fresh start you were expecting and looking for. Most of us have not grown up in the tropics. The warm weather, sunshine, and palm trees have a way of helping you change your perspective. Being in Florida truly makes it easier to make a change and rediscover yourself. With a new perspective on what’s around you and what is over the horizon…it’s a great start to a life in recovery!
It only takes one call to start a new life.
CONs:
1. Distance from family.
We each must find our own identity in a recovery lifestyle. Still, friends and family play a crucial role in supporting us when we are in need. It can be difficult for them to visit or have an active role during the initial treatment process. But this is true of any rehab!
In most reputable rehabs, your family would not be able to visit you until Weeks 3-4 of treatment. Family weekends are arranged so that your family can support you. Distance can actually be a good thing, too. Some families engage in enabling or codependence. The bottom line is that rehab and treatment are an internal process. While your family can assist, it’s really up to you to make the internal changes.
2. Fear of the unfamiliar.
The rehab process itself brings a lot of changes. Often, you must deal with challenging psychological and emotional issues. When you are far away from home and such changes occur, dealing with the situation can be more difficult. But it can also be freeing!
When we face our fears, we evolve. We become stronger, more resilient to change. And life is about change. If you’re ready to leave addiction behind, getting treatment in Florida can be a true gift.
3. Cost.
Traveling for rehab to another city/state may be expensive. You will need to pay for gas, airfare, and accommodation. Also, it is recommended that some clients be escorted to treatment by an interventionist or security professional in order to ensure a timely and safe arrival. That is why sometimes people choose to go to a local rehab.
However, these costs may just well be worth it. We’ve outlined the main costs below. But some rehabs even include travel expenses in the cost of treatment. Call us now to talk about your options. And look for a rehab with a 90-day guarantee. This way, you can be assured of successful outcomes.
4. Legal issues.
Sometimes, you may face legal issues that require you to stay locally and it may seem that you cannot consider the option to travel for rehab to another state. The truth is that if you’re working within the justice system, drug courts or judges can authorize travel and treatment to another state. Consult an attorney or call us to learn more about the choices available.
Addiction responds to medical treatment.
Visiting a Loved One in Rehab
Additionally, family therapy may be equally important to the treatment process, as it can offer a new dynamic for everyone. These professionally run sessions can help you heal and move past wounds. The aim is to build healthier family relations. But what can you expect?
Many family members often don’t know what to expect and how to behave when visiting their loved ones at the treatment centers. This is totally normal. Just know that rehab is a place of healing. You don’t need to afraid of the process, but respect for the work is helpful.
A reputable rehab looks like a mix of a hospital and a home. It is a place where you will see every day people of all ages and professions who are trying to get their lives together. Each treatment center has its own rules about the frequency, length and time of these visits. However, most inpatient rehabs have some kind of family program for at least 2-3 days of a 30 day stay. Also, it can be up to your loved one to determine how often s/he would like to be visited.
Here is a general list of DO’s and DON’Ts when visiting a Florida rehab:
DO’s
1. Visit a loved one as often as possible. It may really mean the world to them. At least call them and let them know you care about them and the progress of their recovery.
2. Be on time. Your loved one is expecting you. Being on time shows him/her that you can be trusted. Moreover, rehab is run on a tight schedule and routine is part of the recovery process. The treatment centers have strict visiting policies, so follow their rules.
3. Praise them. Remember how difficult it may be to get help, so encourage them as much as possible. Your loved one has a long road ahead, which they are probably starting to realize.
4. Meet the staff. These people are working with your loved one every day, so they can give you most information on the progress of the treatment process.
5. Small talk. It can be difficult to find a topic to discuss other than their health. Stick to small talk and chat about unimportant stuff: weather, news, movies, sports. It can be a good idea to bring something to share with your loved one – a favorite snack, pictures, a cozy blanket.
DON’Ts
1. Leave drama at the door. Treatment is not the time to discuss anything negative. The added anxiety is not helping the recovery process.
2. Discuss the cost of treatment. It is not a secret that rehab costs money. Reminding your loved one about this may trigger feelings of guilt and shame.
3. Discuss weight gain. Most people who quit drinking or using drugs gain weight, but mentioning this may embarrass them and it can trigger negative reactions.
4. No sarcasm. Treatment is not a glamorous place to be. In this hyper sensitive and emotional time, sarcasm is not necessary. Instead, be loving and supportive.
5. Avoid talk about the future. In recovery, we are being taught to “live in the moment”, day to day, so don’t talk about any plans, as it can create a lot of pressure for your loved one.
Travel to and from Florida
If you decide to drive, this calculator can estimate fuel cost according to the distance of a trip, the fuel efficiency of the car, and the price of gas using various units. You can also check bus schedules, routes, and book your tickets on the Greyhound bus schedule.
According to information provided by a fare compare website, the average flight price per person for a round-trip airline ticket to Florida are as follows. Please note that the price may vary depending on whether you are considering flying in low or high season.
Average Cost of Living in Florida
The average daily cost of living when traveling to Florida is estimated at:
- 1 week = $1,357
- 2 weeks = $2,714
- 1 month = $5,816
Short Term Rentals
The Florida State Department of Business Professional Regulation , or the DBPR, governs short-term rental properties. There are certain requirements that every vacation home must meet to be a short-term rental, including being licensed: criteria for occupancy, safety and sanitation. The prices for short-term rentals can be found on platforms like AirBNB or VRBO. Prices range from around %60 to $140 per night in towns and cities across the state.
Hotels
If you consider staying in Fort Lauderdale, July is estimated to be the cheapest month of the year, and April as the most expensive month to stay. Average price for a hotel room per weeknight (Sun-Thu) in Ft. Lauderdale is $128 and per weekend night (Fri & Sat) $160.
Hollywood, FL
If you consider staying in Hollywood, July is evaluated as the cheapest, and April as the most expensive month to stay. Average price per weeknight (Sun-Thu) is $129 and per weekend night (Fri & Sat) $176.
Tampa, FL
If you consider staying in Tampa, September is estimated to be the cheapest month of the year, and April is the most expensive month to stay. Average prices for a hotel room per weeknight (Sun-Thu) and weekend night (Fri & Sat) is $126.
Other Places to Stay
If you are traveling on a budget, you might consider a stay in a hostel. The price is much lower than paying a hotel, you get to meet new people, cheap services, communal kitchens. Nevertheless, it can get loud, as many young people choose this accommodation option. Hostels may not be as clean as a hotel room, you will probably share the bathroom with many other people, have interrupted sleep, and often no personal space.
Your Questions
Additionally, we hope that this article has answered most of your questions/concerns related to Traveling and Planning in Florida. In case you have additional questions/comments, feel free to post them in the comments section below. If we do not know the answer to your particular question, we will gladly refer you to someone who can help.
Reference Sources: Budget Your Trip
Trip Savvy
SAMHSA: NDSUH 2016
Related Posts