Addiction Treatment in Florida
Getting help with addiction starts with one phone call.
Getting help with addiction starts with one phone call.
Making the decision to seek help for drug addiction is one of the hardest steps you'll ever take. If you're reading this, whether for yourself or someone you care about, that decision might feel overwhelming right now. You're probably asking yourself a lot of questions: What kind of treatment do I need? How long will it take? Can I afford it? Will it actually work?
These are all normal questions, and they deserve honest answers. Florida has become one of the nation's leading destinations for addiction treatment, with hundreds of rehab centers concentrated primarily in South Florida. From intensive inpatient programs in Delray Beach to flexible outpatient care in Orlando, you'll find treatment options across the state.
This guide will walk you through what's available throughout Florida, from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to Tampa and Jacksonville. We'll talk about different types of programs, what treatment actually looks like day-to-day, how to navigate insurance and Florida Medicaid, and what happens after you complete a program. The goal here isn't to tell you which facility to choose, but to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your unique situation.
Recovery is possible, and finding the right treatment is the first real step on that path. Let's break down what you need to know about drug rehab in Florida.
Florida has earned a reputation as one of the country's top destinations for addiction treatment. The state has hundreds of rehab facilities, with the highest concentration in South Florida—particularly in Palm Beach County, Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area), and Miami-Dade County. This area has sometimes been called the "rehab capital" of America.
What matters most is finding a program that aligns with your needs, beliefs, and circumstances. Some people thrive in highly structured residential settings. Others do better with outpatient treatment that allows them to maintain work and family responsibilities. Neither approach is inherently better—they serve different people at different stages of their recovery journey.
Florida's treatment landscape includes medical detox facilities, short-term and long-term residential programs, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and standard outpatient care. You'll also find specialty programs that address co-occurring mental health disorders, trauma-focused treatment, gender-specific care, and programs designed specifically for certain substances or demographics.
The state's warm climate, beaches, and year-round outdoor access make Florida particularly appealing for recovery. Many facilities incorporate the natural environment into their therapeutic approach, from beach meditation to outdoor group sessions.
The key is matching the level of care to your actual needs. Someone with severe physical dependence and unstable housing needs something very different than someone with a supportive home environment and mild to moderate addiction. We'll break down these different options so you can start to see where you might fit.
There's a reason people from across the country—and even internationally—come to Florida for treatment. The year-round warm weather and coastal environment provide a healing backdrop that's hard to replicate in other states. When you're going through the difficult process of early recovery, being able to step outside to sunshine and ocean air can make a real difference.
Florida's recovery infrastructure is exceptionally well-developed, especially in South Florida. Palm Beach County alone has hundreds of treatment facilities and an enormous network of sober living homes. This concentration means competition, which often translates to quality care and various price points. You have choices at every level of affordability and intensity.
The state's large recovery community is another major draw. Cities like Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale have active recovery scenes with dozens of 12-step meetings daily, recovery-focused social events, and communities of people in long-term recovery. If you choose to stay in Florida after treatment, you'll have the support network to do it.
Florida also offers distance from home for many people, which can be crucial for early recovery. Getting away from the people, places, and routines associated with your addiction gives you space to focus entirely on healing. At the same time, the state's major airports make it relatively easy for family to visit when appropriate.
Cost considerations matter too. While Florida certainly has expensive luxury facilities, the competitive market also means many mid-range and affordable options. The state accepts Florida Medicaid at numerous facilities, and many programs offer payment plans or sliding scale fees.
Inpatient rehab in Florida means living at a treatment facility for a set period of time—typically 30, 60, or 90 days, though some programs run longer. This is the most intensive level of care, and it's designed for people who need structure, supervision, and distance from their current environment to get sober.
When you enter a residential program, you're essentially hitting the pause button on your regular life. You'll sleep at the facility, eat your meals there, and participate in a structured daily schedule of therapy, group sessions, educational classes, and recovery activities. Most programs limit or restrict outside contact, especially in the early days, to help you focus entirely on your recovery.
The typical day starts early—often around 7 AM—with breakfast and maybe a morning meditation or exercise session. From there, you'll move through individual therapy appointments, group counseling, educational sessions about addiction and recovery, and various therapeutic activities. Some Florida facilities incorporate beach walks, swimming, yoga, art therapy, or fitness programs. Evenings might include 12-step meetings, journaling time, or recreational activities.
Florida's residential programs range from basic to exceptionally luxurious. Standard facilities offer shared or semi-private rooms with basic amenities and solid clinical care. Mid-range programs might have nicer accommodations, better food, and more amenities. Luxury rehab facilities in areas like Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach offer private rooms or villas, gourmet meals, spa services, and resort-like settings with ocean access.
Residential treatment works best for people who have tried outpatient care without success, those with severe addiction or co-occurring mental health issues, people in unstable living situations, or anyone who needs to be removed from an environment that enables their drug use. The downside is the cost and the disruption to your life—you'll need to take leave from work or school, arrange childcare if you have kids, and handle other responsibilities while you're away.
But for many people, that immersion in recovery is exactly what saves their life. When you can't access drugs, when you're surrounded by people going through the same thing, when you have professional support 24/7—that's when real change becomes possible.
Not everyone can or needs to leave their life for 30 to 90 days. Outpatient rehab in Florida offers treatment while you continue living at home, going to work or school, and maintaining your daily responsibilities. The intensity varies widely depending on the program level.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are the most structured outpatient option. You'll typically attend treatment sessions three to five days per week for several hours at a time—often in the evenings or late afternoons to accommodate work schedules. This might total 9 to 15 hours of treatment per week. IOP includes individual therapy, group counseling, drug education, and often family therapy sessions.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) fall between inpatient and IOP. You spend most of your day at the treatment facility—sometimes five to seven hours daily—but return home to sleep. PHP is often used as a step-down from residential treatment or for people who need intensive care but have a safe, supportive living situation.
Standard outpatient treatment is the least intensive option, typically involving one or two therapy sessions per week. This works well for people with mild to moderate addiction, strong support systems at home, and stable life circumstances. It's also common as continuing care after you complete a more intensive program.
The advantage of outpatient care is that you can practice your recovery skills in real-world situations while still having professional support. You're learning to say no to drugs while navigating actual triggers and stressors in your daily life. The challenge is that you're also exposed to all the same people and places that contributed to your addiction, which requires strong motivation and support.
Florida's major cities—Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale—all have extensive outpatient networks. South Florida particularly has numerous IOP and PHP programs to choose from.
Outpatient treatment costs significantly less than residential care, and insurance is more likely to cover it. But it requires more self-discipline and a safer home environment to be effective.
Before any meaningful treatment can begin, you need to be physically clear of drugs. For some substances—particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids—stopping suddenly can be dangerous or even life-threatening. That's where medical detox comes in.
Detox centers in Florida provide supervised withdrawal management, usually in a hospital-like setting or specialized detox facility. Medical staff monitor your vital signs, manage withdrawal symptoms with appropriate medications, and keep you safe through the most difficult physical phase of getting sober. Depending on what you're coming off of, detox typically lasts three to seven days, though it can be longer for certain substances.
Medical detox isn't the same as drug treatment. It gets the drugs out of your system, but it doesn't address the psychological addiction, underlying issues, or behavioral patterns that keep you using. Think of it as the necessary first step before real recovery work begins. Most people transition directly from detox into an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.
The withdrawal process varies dramatically based on what substance you've been using, how much, and for how long. Opioid withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable but not typically dangerous. Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures and requires close medical supervision. Stimulant withdrawal is more psychological than physical but can trigger severe depression.
Medical staff in detox facilities can make you much more comfortable than you'd be trying to quit on your own. They use medications to reduce symptoms—anti-nausea drugs, sleep aids, medications to stabilize blood pressure and heart rate, and in some cases, medications like methadone or buprenorphine for opioid addiction or benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal.
Florida has extensive detox options, particularly in South Florida. Many treatment centers include detox as the first phase of their program, while standalone detox facilities focus exclusively on medical stabilization.
If you've been using heavily or have any medical conditions, don't try to detox at home. The risk isn't worth it. Florida has detox centers that accept insurance and Florida Medicaid.
Not all addiction treatment is one-size-fits-all, and Florida facilities have developed specialty programs to address specific needs.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Many people struggling with addiction also have co-occurring mental health disorders—depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or others. In fact, it's more common than not. Dual diagnosis treatment in Florida addresses both conditions simultaneously, recognizing that you can't successfully treat one without treating the other. These programs have psychiatric care alongside addiction treatment, often with psychiatrists on staff who can prescribe and manage medications.
Florida has particularly strong dual diagnosis programs, especially in South Florida where the concentration of treatment facilities means access to specialized care.
Trauma-Focused Programs
Trauma and addiction are deeply connected for many people. Whether it's childhood abuse, sexual assault, combat trauma, or other experiences, unresolved trauma often drives substance use. Trauma-focused programs use specialized therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy to help you process difficult experiences in a safe environment.
Holistic and Alternative Approaches
Some Florida rehab facilities incorporate holistic therapies alongside traditional treatment. This might include acupuncture, yoga and meditation, nutrition therapy, art and music therapy, equine therapy, or beach-based activities. Florida's climate and coastal access make these outdoor and wellness-focused approaches particularly appealing. These programs recognize that healing involves mind, body, and spirit, not just abstinence from drugs.
Faith-Based Programs
Christian rehab facilities in Florida integrate biblical principles and faith-based counseling into the recovery process. These programs might include prayer, scripture study, and spiritual direction alongside clinical treatment. They work well for people whose faith is central to their identity and who want that incorporated into their healing.
Luxury Facilities
Florida is known for its luxury rehab options, particularly in areas like Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach, and Miami. These facilities offer high-end amenities—private rooms or villas, gourmet chef-prepared meals, spa services, beachfront locations, and resort-like settings—alongside clinical treatment. The treatment itself isn't necessarily better than standard facilities, but the environment is more comfortable and private.
Long-Term Residential Programs
While most residential programs run 30-90 days, some Florida facilities offer long-term programs lasting six months to a year or more. These extended programs work well for people with severe, chronic addiction or those who've relapsed multiple times after shorter programs.
The most important factor in choosing a program isn't the amenities or even the specific therapeutic approach—it's finding a place where you feel safe enough to do the hard work of recovery.
Florida's treatment landscape varies significantly by region, each with its own characteristics and concentration of facilities.
South Florida: The Recovery Capital
South Florida—particularly Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County—has the highest concentration of treatment facilities in the state and one of the highest in the nation.
Delray Beach has become particularly known for addiction treatment and recovery, with dozens of facilities and hundreds of sober living homes. The city has developed a strong recovery community, though it's also faced challenges with unscrupulous operators in the past. Quality facilities exist here, but research carefully.
Boca Raton and West Palm Beach offer a range of treatment options from luxury facilities to mid-range programs. The area's affluence has attracted high-quality treatment providers.
Fort Lauderdale has numerous treatment centers and a strong recovery infrastructure. The city offers beach access, urban amenities, and extensive continuing care resources.
Miami provides treatment options in both urban and beach settings, with facilities serving diverse populations and offering programs in multiple languages.
Palm Beach is known for luxury treatment facilities serving high-profile clients who value privacy and premium amenities.
Central Florida: Orlando and Tampa
Orlando has a growing treatment industry serving both residents and people from out of state. The area offers more affordable options than South Florida while still providing quality care. Orlando's airport accessibility makes it convenient for people traveling from other parts of the country.
Tampa and the surrounding Bay Area have solid treatment options with a somewhat different character than South Florida—less focused on luxury, more oriented toward community-based care.
North Florida: Jacksonville and the Panhandle
Jacksonville is Florida's largest city by area and has treatment facilities serving the North Florida and South Georgia populations. The area tends to have more affordable programs than South Florida.
The Panhandle region has fewer facilities but some quality programs, particularly for people seeking a quieter, more rural environment.
One consideration when choosing a location: South Florida's concentration of facilities means more choices but also requires careful research to avoid low-quality operators. Other parts of Florida might have fewer options but can offer solid care at lower costs.
Let's talk honestly about money, because cost is often the biggest concern when seeking treatment in Florida.
Treatment costs vary widely across the state. On the low end, outpatient counseling might run $100-$350 per session if you're paying out of pocket. Intensive outpatient programs typically cost $3,000-$10,000 for a full program. Standard 30-day residential treatment ranges from about $5,000 to $30,000 at most facilities. Luxury rehab in areas like Delray Beach, Boca Raton, or Palm Beach can cost $30,000 to $100,000 or more for a 30-day stay.
Those numbers probably seem overwhelming if you don't have insurance or significant savings. Here's the important part: many people don't pay those full amounts.
Working with Insurance and Florida Medicaid
The Affordable Care Act requires insurance plans to cover substance abuse treatment as an essential health benefit. This means your insurance likely covers at least some level of addiction care, though exactly what depends on your specific plan.
Most Florida rehab centers accept major insurance providers—Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and others. Many also accept Florida Medicaid, the state's program for low-income residents. Florida Medicaid covers addiction treatment including detox, residential care, and outpatient services, though not all facilities accept it.
The facility's admissions staff will verify your benefits before you enter treatment and tell you what you'll owe out of pocket. Be aware that out-of-network facilities might require higher copays or deductibles than in-network providers.
Insurance typically covers detox well but may be more restrictive about residential treatment length. Your plan might approve 30 days initially, then require the facility to justify medical necessity for additional time. Outpatient treatment is usually well-covered since it's less expensive than residential care.
When calling facilities, ask these questions:
Finding Affordable Treatment Options
If you don't have insurance or your coverage is limited, you still have options in Florida:
County programs offer free or low-cost treatment based on income. Every Florida county has substance abuse treatment services available, though quality and wait times vary.
Florida Medicaid covers addiction treatment for eligible low-income residents. If you qualify, you have access to treatment at no cost to you at facilities that accept Medicaid.
Sliding scale facilities adjust their fees based on your income and ability to pay. You might pay a fraction of the standard cost.
Some nonprofits and charitable organizations run treatment programs at reduced costs, often with a faith-based component.
Payment plans allow you to spread costs over time rather than paying everything upfront.
Free rehab options exist in Florida, typically run by nonprofits or religious organizations, though these often have waiting lists.
State funding programs exist for specific populations—pregnant women, parents with children, uninsured individuals, and others may qualify for state-funded treatment slots.
The cost of treatment is significant, but it's worth comparing to the cost of continued addiction—lost jobs, legal problems, health issues, destroyed relationships. People often find ways to pay for their drug habit; finding a way to pay for recovery deserves that same creativity and commitment.
So what actually happens when you enter a drug rehab program in Florida? While every facility is different, here's a realistic picture of what you can expect.
Intake and Assessment
Your first day involves a lot of paperwork and assessment. Staff will take your medical history, ask detailed questions about your drug use, assess for mental health issues, and work with you to develop initial treatment goals. You'll meet your primary counselor or therapist, learn the facility rules and schedule, and get oriented to your new temporary home.
This can feel overwhelming, especially if you're still experiencing withdrawal symptoms or anxiety about being there. That's normal. Most facilities understand you're not at your best during intake and give you some grace as you adjust.
Daily Structure and Programming
Most rehab programs follow a structured daily schedule. A typical day might look like this:
7:00 AM - Wake up, personal time
7:30 AM - Breakfast
8:30 AM - Morning meditation or goal-setting
9:00 AM - Educational group (understanding addiction, recognizing triggers, etc.)
10:30 AM - Break
11:00 AM - Process group (discussing feelings, challenges, progress)
12:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 PM - Individual therapy session or free time
3:00 PM - Therapeutic activity (art therapy, exercise, beach walk, yoga, etc.)
4:30 PM - Skills group (coping strategies, communication, life skills)
6:00 PM - Dinner
7:00 PM - 12-step meeting or recovery-focused activity
8:30 PM - Free time, phone calls, journaling
10:30 PM - Lights out
The specific schedule varies by facility, but the key element is structure. For many people who've been in active addiction, having a predictable routine is both challenging and healing.
Therapeutic Approaches
You'll engage in multiple types of therapy during treatment:
Individual therapy gives you one-on-one time with a counselor to dig into personal issues, trauma, and underlying reasons for your drug use. This is where you do the deeper emotional work.
Group therapy connects you with others going through similar struggles. You'll learn you're not alone, hear different perspectives, and practice communication skills in a safe environment.
Family therapy addresses relationship damage and helps your loved ones understand addiction. Many Florida facilities offer virtual family sessions if your family can't visit in person.
Educational sessions teach you about addiction as a disease, how drugs affect your brain, identifying triggers, and developing coping strategies.
Most Florida facilities use evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change destructive thought patterns, and motivational interviewing, which helps you find your own reasons for getting sober.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Early treatment is hard. You might feel angry about being there, grief over what you've lost, shame about your actions, fear about staying sober, or intense cravings. Some days you'll feel hopeful and motivated. Other days you'll want to leave and use again.
This emotional volatility is part of the process. Your brain is relearning how to function without drugs, and that takes time. Good treatment programs expect this and help you develop skills to ride out difficult emotions without using substances.
Building Your Foundation
The real work in treatment isn't just stopping drug use—it's building a life you don't need to escape from. This means identifying your triggers, developing healthy coping mechanisms, repairing relationships where possible, addressing underlying trauma or mental health issues, finding purpose and meaning, and creating a recovery plan for after treatment ends.
You'll leave treatment with concrete tools: a relapse prevention plan, a list of supportive contacts, scheduled aftercare appointments, coping strategies for specific situations, and hopefully a sense that recovery is possible for you.
Completing a drug rehab program is a huge accomplishment, but it's not the finish line. The real test comes when you return to your regular life with all its stresses, triggers, and challenges.
Sober Living Homes
Sober living in Florida provides a transitional step between the structured environment of treatment and complete independence. These are residential homes where you live with other people in recovery, follow house rules (no drugs or alcohol, attendance at meetings, random drug testing, participation in house chores), and gradually rebuild your life.
Florida has one of the largest concentrations of sober living homes in the country, particularly in South Florida. Palm Beach County alone has hundreds of sober living houses. This abundance means choices, but it also means you need to be careful—quality varies significantly.
Sober living works well if you don't have a safe, supportive home environment to return to, if you're moving to Florida for recovery and need stable housing, if you want continued peer support and accountability, or if you've relapsed before when returning directly home from treatment.
Look for sober living homes certified by credible organizations like the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) or the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). Good sober living homes have clear rules and consequences, employ drug testing, connect residents to jobs and education, and foster community and accountability.
Unfortunately, Florida has had issues with unethical sober living operators engaging in insurance fraud or patient brokering. Research carefully, ask for references, and verify certifications before committing to a sober living home.
Continuing Care and Aftercare
Most treatment facilities develop an aftercare plan before you leave. This typically includes:
Outpatient therapy—often starting with intensive outpatient, then stepping down to regular counseling sessions as you stabilize.
12-step meetings or other recovery support groups—Florida has incredibly active 12-step communities, especially in South Florida. You can find meetings in virtually every city and town across the state.
Psychiatrist appointments if you're taking medication for co-occurring disorders.
Check-ins with your treatment facility—some programs offer alumni groups, ongoing support, or phone check-ins.
Follow your aftercare plan even when you feel great. Many relapses happen when people stop going to therapy or meetings because they think they don't need it anymore.
Building a Recovery Community
One of the most important factors in staying sober is who you surround yourself with. You can't maintain recovery while hanging out with the same people you used drugs with.
Florida's recovery communities are exceptionally active, particularly in South Florida. Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach all have thriving recovery scenes with numerous meetings, recovery events, and sober social activities.
Beyond formal meetings, many people find recovery communities through:
Having friends who understand what you're going through and support your sobriety makes an enormous difference.
Dealing with Relapse
Most people relapse at some point in their recovery journey. If it happens to you, it doesn't mean treatment failed or that you failed. Addiction is a chronic condition, and relapse is often part of the process.
What matters is what you do next. If you use again:
Florida has extensive crisis resources and can quickly connect you back to treatment if you need it.
Recovery isn't about perfection. It's about progress, learning, and getting back up when you fall.
With hundreds of options across Florida, how do you actually choose the right facility?
Accreditation and Licensing
Make sure any facility you consider is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and accredited by recognized organizations like The Joint Commission, CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), or LegitScript. Florida has strict licensing requirements for treatment facilities, and legitimate programs will be transparent about their credentials.
Be especially careful in South Florida, where the concentration of facilities has unfortunately attracted some unethical operators. Verify licenses, check online reviews carefully, and ask detailed questions.
Questions to Ask
When talking to potential facilities, ask:
Trust Your Gut
Beyond the practical considerations, pay attention to how you feel when talking to staff. Do they seem genuinely caring or just trying to sell you? Do they listen to your concerns? Do they pressure you to commit immediately or give you space to decide?
A good facility will respect your questions, be transparent about costs and what's included, acknowledge the challenges ahead honestly rather than making promises they can't keep, and treat you like an individual rather than just another admission.
Research Carefully in South Florida
If you're considering South Florida facilities, do extra due diligence. Check the Florida Department of Children and Families website for licensing status and any violations. Search for news articles about the facility. Read multiple review sources. Ask very specific questions about their practices.
Unfortunately, the area has had issues with patient brokering (paying people to recruit patients), insurance fraud, and substandard care. Many excellent facilities exist in South Florida, but you need to separate them from the bad actors.
Don't Wait for the Perfect Program
Here's an important truth: there is no perfect treatment facility. Every program has strengths and limitations. What matters most isn't finding the absolute best possible program—it's starting treatment now rather than endlessly researching options.
Analysis paralysis keeps many people stuck in active addiction when they could be getting help. If you find a licensed, reputable facility that accepts your insurance and has an opening, that's often good enough to get started. You can always transfer or try a different approach if the first program doesn't work for you.
If you've made it this far in this guide, you're serious about finding help. That matters more than you might realize. The fact that you're researching options, learning about what's available, and considering treatment means you haven't given up. That's half the battle right there.
Drug addiction is a devastating condition, but it's also a treatable one. Thousands of people in Florida have walked the path you're considering, and they've built meaningful lives in recovery. The treatment options exist across the state. The recovery community is there, particularly in South Florida. The support is available.
What's needed now is for you to take the next step. That might mean calling a treatment facility today. It might mean talking to your doctor or telling a family member you need help. It might mean going to your first 12-step meeting or walking into an outpatient clinic.
Whatever that next step looks like for you, take it. Don't wait until you hit rock bottom or lose one more thing. Don't wait for the perfect moment or the perfect program. Start where you are with what you have.
Recovery is possible. Florida has extensive resources to support you through it, from the beaches of South Florida to the cities of Orlando and Tampa. The only question is whether you're ready to begin.
If you're still unsure where to start, consider calling SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's free, confidential, and available 24/7. They can help you find treatment options in Florida based on your specific needs and situation. You can also contact the Florida Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse Program at 1-866-308-2546 for information about state resources.
Your life doesn't have to be defined by addiction. Treatment is the doorway to something different, something better. Walk through it.