St. Petersburg, Florida, also known as the “Sunshine City,” brings in many tourists yearly. This chosen vacation spot is famous for its wide array of attractions and events. It is well known for its beaches, such as Fort De Soto Beach and St. Pete Beach. In addition, downtown St. Petersburg has a variety of shops, museums, restaurants, and performing arts events to enjoy. In addition to fun around town, St. Petersburg is home to Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team stadium.
St. Petersburg is growing rapidly and has a projected population of 258,201. As with many cities in Florida, there have been concerns about increased substance use in the community. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 326,000 people aged 12 and older used an illicit drug in the past year. 188,000 people were identified as having substance use disorder.
Let’s learn more about substance use, rehabilitation, and treatment in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Substance & Alcohol Use In St. Petersburg, Florida
Substance use and mental health disorders are increasing at rates surpassing all physical diseases worldwide. This is incredibly concerning as not only does it take a toll on the numbers of lives impacted, but financially, it is costing Americans $600 billion yearly.
In Pinellas County, many adults are engaging in heavy drinking. Excessive alcohol use increases the risk of health problems and violence, and people are more likely to drive under the influence. In addition to alcohol-use disorder, Florida (as well as the entire country of the United States) is experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. Research indicates that in the US, In 2016, 42,000 people died of an opioid overdose.
Drug & Alcohol Statistics for Pinellas County in 2016:
- 20.9% of adults in Pinellas county were identified as binge drinkers compared to 17.5% in Florida.
- 961 alcohol-related vehicle motor accidents.
- 277 drug-related accidental deaths, 38% were related to prescription drugs.
- 56.2% of high school students have been using alcohol or illicit drugs.
- 31.4 % of middle school students have been using alcohol or illicit drugs.
- 24.9% of youth ages 15-17 reported riding in a vehicle driven by someone who had been using marijuana.
Drug & Alcohol Treatment in St. Petersburg, Florida
If you need drug and alcohol treatment in St. Petersburg, Florida, there are 23 facilities in a 15-mile radius. 23 facilities may seem like a lot, but due to the growing population and number of individuals with substance-use disorders, this may not be an adequate level of support for prevention and treatment. There were 258,201 individuals in St. Petersburg, according to the US census for 2021. In one year, 188,000 people were found to have a substance-use disorder in Pinellas County. As you can imagine, the number of treatments available is not enough to meet the need of the community.
Of the 23 alcohol and drug treatment centers in St. Petersburg, Florida, CuraSouth is a treatment facility that stands out from the rest. Let’s learn more about how to choose the right rehab center, what programs are available, and how to pick the best treatment option for you.
Choosing a Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center in St. Petersburg, Florida
Finding the best alcohol and drug treatment center in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a straightforward process when you know what to look for in a quality rehab center. We recommend looking for the following qualifiers when you narrow down your search.
How to Find the Best Rehab Center:
- Make sure the treatment facility is licensed and accredited in Florida.
- The facility should be staffed with licensed medical professionals, mental health therapists, and knowledgeable and experienced staff members.
- The treatment center should address the specific needs of each population-working, professionals, families, and individuals with a co-occurring mental illness.
- Make sure the facility provides various evidence-based therapies. Examples include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Motivational Interviewing.
Detox & Rehab Options St. Petersburg, Florida
One important feature to look for in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center is a facility with a full continuum of care. This includes medical detoxification, residential inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. Facilities should utilize a combination of evidence-based therapeutic practices and holistic methods to provide an individualized recovery experience tailored to meet each person in their stage of healing.
At CuraSouth, we can provide a highly individualized treatment customized to meet your needs. Guardian Recovery is part of Guardian Recovery Network, a highly skilled treatment center with two decades of experience providing premium care to individuals and their families. With extensive client feedback and a focus on clinical research, our professionals have designed the Guardian Recovery detox and recovery experience to serve clients and their families best as they rebuild their lives.
Intervention
Premium care and individualized attention are essential qualities that Guardian Recovery provides for every individual in need. In addition to evidence-based therapies Guardian Recovery provides for individuals seeking alcohol and substance-use treatment, there is also a wide range of therapies to help meet specific needs. To provide the best care, a Treatment Advisor will speak with you to get an assessment and identify how to complete your treatment goals best. We aim to meet each individual and their family where they are in recovery and provide a partnership to help guide their journey toward wellness.
Detox
Medically monitored drug and alcohol detox is an essential first step in a person’s recovery journey. Detoxification can be uncomfortable, and having expert medical care guiding you is necessary. At CuraSouth, individuals can undergo medical detoxification in a safe, comfortable, medically lead environment to ease the symptoms of detox and help them feel supported. With decades of experience, our medical professionals can help guide you during this critical first step of recovery. Our medical team will closely monitor each individual, and medications can be given to help relieve the uncomfortable side effects of withdrawal. Our goal is to provide a solid foundation for the beginning of your recovery journey.
Residential / Inpatient
Residential inpatient treatment is required for individuals in rehabilitation who demand the highest level of care. Typically this is the next step in therapy once a person has completed medical detoxification. Patients reside in the facility among other sober peers and participate in a full schedule of treatment programs. Programs are professionally staffed by medical doctors, licensed mental health therapists, group facilitators, and staff members. Recovery activities include group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, recovery meetings, educational workshops, meditation, yoga, and workshops. Treatment may last 28-60 days, but every length of stay depends on each person.
Outpatient
The next course of treatment provides various modalities of intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization. Many people are still vulnerable during the beginning stages of treatment. Each individual must have a variety of support and level of care. The following interventions are provided from the highest level of care.
PHP
Partial Hospitalization is typically the next stage in substance use disorder treatment after a person has completed medical detoxification and residential inpatient treatment. A person in PHP takes 5 or 6 days of regularly scheduled treatment activities but sleeps in their home at night. Therapeutic exercises are similar to residential inpatient, such as family, group, and individual therapies, social activities, and holistic treatment. With a step-down approach, we can gradually allow more independence and freedom as each person feels ready.
IOP
Intensive outpatient therapy typically includes 3-5 days of treatment for 3-5 hours per day. Again, this is to help slowly fade the level of intervention so that a person feels supported throughout their recovery journey. A primary component of IOP is to provide group and individual therapy. A variety of therapeutic methods available include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, trauma therapy, and relapse prevention.
OP
Outpatient therapy is essential to provide ongoing support to individuals in recovery. Addiction is a complex disease that impacts many components of a person’s life. Looking at all functioning areas to treat the whole person is necessary for success. Addiction doesn’t just affect the person but many aspects of life. Therapy helps provide stability in emotional, mental, family, physical, social, and spiritual health.
MAT & Suboxone
Medication Assisted Treatment, or Mat for short, is the method of using medication to ease withdrawal symptoms. There are various drugs to assist clients during the withdrawal process. The specific medication used depends on the type of substance used, and the time the substance was used.
Suboxone and Subutex are primarily used for opioid dependencies. This medication helps reduce the uncomfortable side effects experienced during withdrawal but does not produce a high. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Suboxone to treat Opioid Use Disorder.
Substance Use Disorder Program Costs in St. Petersburg, Florida
A significant concern people may have when figuring out the best treatment for alcohol or substance use is how much this will cost. Let’s look at the various funding options and how you can determine what program is best for you.
Privately Funded
Privately funded treatment has many benefits. Some of those benefits include there are more options to choose from when looking at treatment programs. Treatment can be more individualized and comprehensive as some state, and private insurance companies can often limit the length and type of treatment approved. However, it may also be costly if funding the entire treatment out-of-pocket.
Public & State Funded
Some people may not have a choice in funding and may require public or state financing to receive treatment. The benefit is that there is a less personal cost to the individual. However, there are downsides to choosing this option. The downsides are that treatment may be more cookie-cutter in which all treatment is the same for each person, less of a personalized or individualized approach, and more medically assisted treatment is used instead of a therapeutic course.
Insurance Based
Insurance can be a beneficial option for funding alcohol and substance use treatment. When working with CuraSouth, you can ask to receive a no-obligation free health insurance benefit check. Having as much information as possible can help you make the best determination for your treatment needs.
Medicaid / Medicare
Although services may be covered with the use of Medicaid and Medicare, there can be downsides to this financing option. There may be limited availability, a waitlist to receive treatment, and a large client to staff ratio, in which a person may receive little individualized or direct care.
St. Petersburg, Florida Addiction Recovery Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous is an essential resource for anyone who desires connection and a place of community to help solve their drinking problem. Although anyone can attend these meetings throughout their recovery journey, using this resource during long-term aftercare is especially important. Attendance is free, and there are no education or age requirements for participants. Membership is open to anyone who wants help in living a sober life.
A list of AA meetings in St. Petersburg, Florida, can be found HERE.
A list of AA meetings in Florida can be found HERE.
Regular, in-person meetings in St. Petersburg, Florida:
- 7 UP Group: Wednesdays, 7:15-8:15 am, 1733 US-19 ALT, Tarpon Springs Fl, 34689
- High Noon Daily Group, 12:00p-1:00p, 4001 74th St. N, St. Petersburg Fl, 33709
- 2250 Group, Wednesdays, 5:30p-6:30p, 3125 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg Fl, 33713
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous is a group for individuals who seek connection with each other and have the same goal of living a sober life from narcotics.
A list of NA meetings in St. Petersburg, Florida, can be found HERE.
A list of NA meetings in Florida can be found HERE.
Regular, in-person meetings in St. Petersburg, Florida:
- Freedom House, Tuesdays, 5:30p-6:30p, 440 Roser Park Drive South St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Freedom House, Thursday, 5:30p-6:30p, 440 Roser Park Drive South St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Freedom House, Sunday, 7:45a-8:45a, 440 Roser Park Drive South St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Commonly Asked Questions
We offer programs lengths individualized for each client. Generally detox is anywhere from 3-7 days. These are estimates and are adjusted to meet the needs of the individual client.
Yes! We work with most major insurance providers. We offer free no-obligation insurance benefit checks for those who are interested in our program. Our admissions team will speak with your insurer and get a detailed verification of your insurance benefits and share those details with you. Unfortunately Medicaid and Medicare do not cover our facility.
Tampa Addiction Center facilities are located in the Southeast United States. Our first facility to launch is based near Tampa Bay, Florida at:
405 7th Ave SW
Largo, FL 33770
Absolutely. We understand that addiction affects the entire family system and encourage families to participate in their loved one’s treatment. To help families recover we also offer intervention services, case management, and family workshops.
Yes. We believe in complete and total confidentiality and privacy for all of our clients. We take extra measures to make sure we go above and beyond HIPAA and health privacy standards. If you are concerned about specific privacy requirements please feel free to reach out and we can answer your questions.
While we strongly discourage leaving before treatment completion, we are not a lockdown facility. Clients are in our program voluntarily and may leave when they want.
Clients who need to take off work to attend treatment may be eligible for the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA ensures that you will not be terminated while taking a leave of absence from work to attend treatment. Our admissions and case management staff can help with setting up any FMLA paperwork. For clients who are self employed, we do offer an executive program that allows for cellphone and laptop access in certain cases during business hours.
Admissions is quick and easy. Once you call our admissions team one of our dedicated treatment advisors will perform a pre-assessment over the phone . This takes about 10 minutes and just makes sure Guardian Recovery is the best fit for you or your loved ones individual needs. After the assessment we will verify insurance benefits and arrange a time for your intake (this can be as quick as 30 minutes from the initial call). If you need a ride to the facility we will dispatch one of our drivers and you will begin your recovery at our facility. It is that easy. To get started call us 24/7 at (844) 904-1778 or submit this online form click here.
Smart Recovery Meetings
Smart Recovery is another support group like AA and NA to help provide support, connection and help when you are on your journey toward recovery. You don’t have to face this alone. Please reach out and get support.
A list of Smart Recovery meetings in St. Petersburg, Florida, can be found HERE.
A list of Smart Recovery meetings in Florida can be found HERE.
St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to a wide range of recovery-related resources and services. Because of the large population and close access to beautiful beaches, many indoor and outdoor recovery meetings occur daily.
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/stpetersburgcityflorida/POP060210
- https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHMetroBriefReports/NSDUHMetroBriefReports/NSDUH-Metro-Tampa.pdf
- https://healthystpete.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FHSP-PinellasHighlights-AlcoholAndDrugUse-102218.pdf
- https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/community-health-planning-and-statistics/data-and-reports/_documents/pinellas-substance-abuse-profile-2019.pdf
- https://www.aa.org/find-aa/north-america?dist=2&lat=27.7676008&lng=-82.64029149999999&geolocation_geocoder_address=St.+Petersburg%2C+FL%2C+USA
- https://www.aa.org/find-aa/north-america?lat=27.6648274&lng=-81.5157535&geolocation_geocoder_address=Florida%2C+USA
- https://meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/?coordinates=100&location=St.+Petersburg+Florida
