Pinellas Park, Florida, has seen a significant rise in substance use and associated deaths in the last decade. Among all people ages 12 and older in the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater area, 188,000 individuals (8%) are diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). Furthermore, 13.9% of individuals in this group endorse illicit drug use.
CuraSouth has responded to the greater need for substance use treatment in Florida by offering programs to address all forms of addiction, including alcohol, prescription, and non-prescription drugs. With substance-specific medical detox programs and individualized therapy, our experienced treatment teams provide intensive, compassionate care for patients of all ages. Reach out today for more information about our treatment center and to learn about our straightforward admissions process.
Substance & Alcohol Use in Pinellas Park, Florida
Alcohol and opioids are the most problematic agents in Pinellas County. Approximately 20.9% of adults in the area engage in heavy or binge drinking, compared to 17.5% in Florida. From 2015 to 2020, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths quadrupled, and opioid use increased significantly during the lockdown phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. Current estimates indicate one death every 43 hours in Pinellas County from an opioid overdose.
Substance use is prevalent among individuals with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis, such as depression or anxiety. The national rate of co-occurring mental health disorders and SUD is 3.8%. Of the nearly 22 million people in Florida, 2.9 million have a mental health disorder. In 2020 the state spent $783.5 million on mental health treatment resources. 1.1 million Floridians, approximately 6.3% of the population, are also diagnosed with SUD. The total cost of inpatient hospitalization and emergency department (ED) management of substance use recently reached $6.4 billion.
At CuraSouth, dual diagnosis programs are available to treat both mental health and substance use disorders. Our team of psychiatric and addiction medicine providers understands sustained recovery from SUD also requires caring for mental well-being. Combining medical detox with evidence-based psychiatric management enables us to treat you holistically.
Drug & Alcohol Treatment in Pinellas Park, Florida
Florida has 956 facilities rehab facilities. Sixteen of those facilities are within five miles of Pinellas Park. As of 2021, 53,202 people live in Pinellas Park. Only one treatment center is available for every 23,000 people in the state but one for every 3,325 people in Pinellas Park. Perhaps more concerning, current data indicates that only 44 addiction psychiatrists practice in Florida to treat the 1.1 million residents with SUD.
Choosing a Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center in Pinellas Park, Florida
Choosing the best center for your needs may initially feel overwhelming. However, you can locate the most appropriate program using simple research tips.
Ask Yourself the Following:
- Do I need a facility to treat substance use alone, or should I find a dual diagnosis facility to address my mental health concerns as well?
- Does the treatment center offer medically-supervised detox? If so, is the detox program tailored to my specific needs? (e.g., benzodiazepine tapering)
- What levels of care are provided? (e.g.., medical detox only vs. step-down care from detox to outpatient)
- Are there programs for people of my background? (e.g.., veterans, women, minorities, etc.)
- Are the clinicians licensed and board-certified in their specialties?
- Is the facility accredited state-accredited?
- Will insurance cover all levels of care at this facility? What kind of out-of-pocket costs can I expect?
Detox & Rehab Options in Pinellas Park, Florida
Treatment for SUD is broken down into a level-of-care system where you step down to lower levels as you progress. Understanding the treatment options available at a rehab center is essential to choosing a suitable facility.
Intervention
Intervention is initiated by the loved ones of someone with substance use. During this process, family and friends collaborate with addiction specialists to advocate for immediate treatment.
You Can Expect These Steps During Intervention:
- Friends and family will make a plan to kindly but firmly acknowledge your addiction and the need for treatment.
- Each person will share how your substance use has affected them.
- The group will lay out their plan for you to check into rehab immediately and address the consequences if you refuse.
- A clinician will explain the specifics of the program you are to attend.
- A loved one will take you to the treatment facility to begin the check-in process.
Detox
The goal of detox is to decrease substance use quickly and safely. Medical teams treat withdrawal symptomatically. They will prescribe medications to limit symptom frequency and intensity. Still, your body must adjust to the absence of alcohol or drugs.
You may be given sedatives, antidiarrheals, laxatives, non-narcotic pain medication, blood pressure medication, or vitamins and minerals. The seriousness of your substance use and overall health impact how quickly symptoms resolve. Detox is usually complete after one to two weeks.
Residential / Inpatient
Inpatient or residential treatment involves living at the rehab facility for 24-hour, structured care. These programs can be either short- or long-term, but both include remaining on-site and sharing common living spaces with fellow residents.
Short-term rehab is completed in 90 days or less and is best for individuals who cannot make the time or financial commitments to a longer stay. It is a reasonable option if you have never been admitted to a recovery program and want to understand the process.
If you have a dual diagnosis or need more therapeutic guidance and support, long-term residential treatment may be the best option. Your stay could last six months or more. This program focuses on “resocialization” and building a community with clinicians and fellow residents. Long-term treatment fosters individual accountability and prepares you for reintegration into society after achieving sobriety.
Outpatient
Outpatient levels of care are less controlled than residential programs, so you meet with your treatment team less often. If you have completed detox or residential care, stepping down to an outpatient program allows you to return home and work.
There Are Three Types of Outpatient Treatment:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or “day hospital” involves being on-site at the rehab facility 20 hours per week. You will be expected to attend group and individual counseling sessions like you did at the residential level. You can return home each evening but must report back in the morning. Psychiatrists and therapists will still check in with you daily.
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP) requires nine or more contact hours with your treatment team weekly. You will see a psychiatrist for medication management and attend group and individual therapy.
- Standard Outpatient (OP) care can be conducted weekly or monthly, depending on your progress. The medical team of physicians and nurses will be less involved with your care, as visits will focus more on individual therapy. When transitioning from IOP to OP, they may check in with you once a week for the first few months before moving to monthly appointments for maintenance and medication refills.
MAT & Suboxone
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) focuses specifically on managing opioid addiction. The medications prescribed will discourage illicit opioid use and help taper you off the substance. Methadone is administered on-site at a clinic or hospital, requiring you to present to the facility daily to receive the medication. Suboxone or Subutex, on the other hand, can be prescribed by your doctor and dispensed at your usual pharmacy for you to self-administer as prescribed.
Substance Use Disorder Program Costs in Pinellas Park, Florida
Not all SUD programs are created equal. Each type of facility has benefits and drawbacks based on insurance, budget, and quality of care.
These Are The Various Types of Programs You May Encounter:
- Privately funded programs often accept coverage from major regional and national health insurance providers, though any services not covered by insurance will be covered out-of-pocket. They tend to have better accommodations and comprehensive, individualized services. More programs are available if you have the means to cover the cost.
- Public and state-funded programs might serve as a beneficial resource if cost is an issue. Many of these facilities are low-cost, but wait times for intake and admission may be high due to demand. There may also be an emphasis on MAT-only treatment rather than substance-specific detox and management.
- Insurance-based programs are recommended and paid for by your health plan. Contact your insurance company directly for a list of covered rehabs in your area. CuraSouth offers a free, no-obligation health insurance benefit check.
- Medicaid/Medicare programs, like state-funded options, have extended wait times. The care you receive may not be personalized, as the ratio of providers to patients is high.
Pinellas Park, Florida Addiction Recovery Resources
It is vital to have ongoing support to maintain sobriety. Local resources are available to put you in contact with other members of the community who are in various stages of their recovery.
The Following Groups Are Available in Pinellas Park:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings follow the 12-Step program for people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Members are given a sponsor to guide them through the steps, and emphasis is placed on spiritual development and the development of healthy coping mechanisms and life skills. AA is completely free and open to all people in any stage of recovery. Meetings in the area are available early in the morning, during the day, or even at night.
A comprehensive list of AA meetings in Pinellas Park is available HERE.
A comprehensive list of AA meetings throughout Central Florida is available HERE.
Being one of many beachside communities in Florida, Pinellas Park is home to a range of indoor and outdoor meetings that take place at all hours of the day, seven days a week. The ready accessibility of AA meetings in the area is one reason why Pinellas Park is a great place to get sober and begin your personal recovery journey. Examples of AA meetings in Pinellas Park, Florida include:
- Spirit of The Big Book — This Big Book study meeting takes place Sundays at 7am in Southland Plaza.
- Brown Baggers Group — This meeting takes place Sundays at noon at the Dry Dock Center in Tarpon Springs.
- The 49’ers Group — This meeting takes place several days a week at Southland Plaza, and is held at noon.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, like AA, follow the 12-Step program. Designed specifically for individuals with prescription and non-prescription drug addiction, NA local meetings may be virtual or in-person and are free of charge.
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) meetings are open to people with any substance use disorder. Whereas AA and NA programs encourage members to admit helplessness over addiction, SMART programs are about self-empowerment and conquering substance use. It relies on evidence-based scientific recovery methods and meditation rather than spirituality and prayer. Free nearby meet-ups are offered virtually or in person.
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.
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.
Contact Us Today to Begin
Finding an addiction treatment program in Pinellas Park, Florida is a straightforward process when you know what to look for. Once you have determined which level of care is right for you, we recommend reaching out to an experienced Treatment Advisor who can guide you through the admissions process. At CuraSouth we have a team of experienced Treatment Advisors standing by to answer any additional questions you have and help you get started on the road to recovery as quickly as possible. As soon as you contact us, you will undergo a brief pre-assessment over the phone. The pre-assessment consists of a series of questions geared towards finding a treatment program that meets all of your unique clinical needs. We offer a free, no obligation health insurance benefit check to those who are insured through a major regional or national provider. If you are currently uninsured, we will help you determine which costs will need to be covered out-of-pocket. Finally, we help arrange local ground transportation to our Pinellas Park, Florida detox center , or help set you up with an alternative level of care. To learn more or to begin your personal journey of addiction recovery in Pinellas Park, contact us today.
Reviewed for accuracy by:
Travis Atchison
LCSW, MCAP
Travis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Addiction Professional. He has worked in various community-based settings, where he served families and couples, addressed issues related to homelessness and crisis and worked in a substance abuse setting.
