Substance misuse in Belleair Beach and other areas of Florida have increased exponentially in the last two decades. The increasing accessibility of potent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, has driven this trend. (1) For this reason, overdose rates throughout the United States are among the highest ever recorded. Since the pandemic, the situation has further worsened, primarily due to the depression and isolation experienced by many during the lockdown. During this time, alcohol misuse and addiction to other prescription and illicit drugs have also risen.
Due in part to the ever-increasing need for substance use and mental health treatment, Guardian Recovery was founded to provide effective treatment to help individuals transform their lives and break free from addiction. We understand that the first step to sustainable recovery is often the most challenging, so we offer a straightforward admission process intended to make your experience less daunting. If you are ready to overcome addiction and begin your recovery journey, we can help you reclaim the healthy and fulfilling life you deserve.
Substance & Alcohol Use in Belleair Beach, the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA & Pinellas County
In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro statistical area (MSA) between 2005-2010, an estimated 188,000 Floridians (8%) aged 12 or older were reported as having a past-year substance use disorder. Also, an average of approximately 326,000 individuals in this same group reported engaging in illicit drug use in the past year, representing 13.9% of the MSA population. (2) The rate of past-year marijuana use was 10.1%, and the rate of non-medical use of prescription-type pain relievers was 4.6%
In addition, nearly 1 in 4 (23%) of individuals age 12 or older engaged in past-month binge drinking, defined as four or five alcoholic beverages on one occasion for women and men, respectively. (3)
Why trust Guardian Recovery – Tampa Addiction Center for your addiction treatment?
Drug & Alcohol Statistics for Pinellas County in 2016
In addition to MSA data, recent statistics from the Florida Department of Health revealed the 2020 drug-related unintentional death rate in Pinellas County was nearly 50 per 100,000 (464 fatalities). Comparatively, the 2019 rate was just over 40 per 100,000 (362 fatalities). These rates place Pinellas fifth among all Florida counties for drug-related accidental deaths. (4)
In 2020, the alcohol-related motor vehicle accident rate was 34.4 per 100,000 (339 accidents), slightly up from 33.5 per 100,000 (328 accidents) in 2019. These rates place Pinellas fourth among all Florida counties for car accidents involving alcohol use. (5)
In 2020, more than 24% of adults were heavy or binge drinkers, up from 21% in 2016. This rate places Pinellas second among all Florida counties for adults engaging in excessive drinking. (6)
In 2020, the Pinellas County Opioid Task Force reported that drug deaths increased by 35%, and one person in the county died from an overdose every 14 hours. Of the 618 deaths, 68% (418) were related to illicit fentanyl. The county also reported the rate of fentanyl-related deaths was 42 per 100,000, making Pinellas one of the top counties in Florida for these fatalities. (7)
Substance Use Rehabilitation & Treatment in Belleair Beach, Florida
The Florida adult population is 12.3 million, meaning one treatment center is available for about 21,000 adults. In comparison, Belleair Beach has four drug and alcohol treatment centers (8) and a population of 1,696 (9), indicating only one center is available for every 424 people.
Choosing a Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center in Belleair Beach
There are several important features to look for in a treatment center when seeking professional help. Reputable facilities will be upfront about their programs, services, cost, and available health insurance and private pay options.
Essential Features in a Treatment Center Include:
- Licensing and accreditation by the State of Florida.
- Individualized treatment plans and up-to-date, evidence-based therapies and services.
- Multiple levels of care, including detox, residential, and outpatient programs.
- A wide range of treatments, such as behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, counseling, group support, etc.
- An all-encompassing, holistic approach to drug and alcohol addiction that addresses all aspects of health and wellness.
- A staff comprised of licensed therapists, health professionals, addiction specialists, and other skilled, supportive personnel.
- Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.
Detox & Rehab Options in Belleair Beach, FL
Comprehensive addiction treatment programs typically feature a continuum of care that consists of multiple levels, including the following:
Intervention
An intervention is a structured group meeting staged by the loved ones of individuals struggling with a substance use disorder. In collaboration with an addiction specialist or interventionist, the main objective is to convince the person to seek professional treatment. To make this happen, it’s not uncommon for families to have a center’s intake staff prepared to get them admitted immediately.
Medical Detox
Regardless of when and where it occurs, detox will always be the first step in recovery because it involves undergoing withdrawal while the patient’s system attempts to re-stabilize in the aftermath of active addiction. Therefore, a clinically-supervised detox is almost always recommended. Detoxing at home is challenging to do alone and much more likely to lead to relapse.
Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, severe, and sometimes even life-threatening when alcohol or benzodiazepines are involved. Medical monitoring keeps the patient safe from triggering environments and allows health professionals to administer medications to reduce withdrawal effects and prevent complications.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Early on in medical detox, health professionals can use medication to improve a patient’s mood and make them feel more comfortable and relaxed. It can also be used to treat potential complications, such as high blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
After detox, MAT can be extremely helpful for those in early recovery from opioids or alcohol. FDA-approved medications for opioid dependence include Suboxone, methadone, and naltrexone. The latter is also approved for alcohol dependence, in addition to disulfiram and acamprosate.
Residential & Inpatient Programs
Residential and inpatient treatment programs require clients to reside at a facility 24/7 while they receive comprehensive treatment. Individuals may have a private room or share a room, and there are also public living areas for gathering and socializing. These programs typically offer several levels of care under one room or across a campus. All classes, therapies, and activities are provided at a central location.
Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, & Partial Hospitalization Programs
In outpatient treatment, like residential treatment, you still benefit from psychiatric and medical care, except on a scheduled basis instead of 24/7. One of these programs can be a good option for those who don’t require intensive, round-the-clock monitoring and believe they can maintain relative stability during recovery.
For example, partial hospitalization includes scheduled daily medical monitoring but does not require overnight stays. They also offer greater flexibility for those motivated to overcome addiction who have already graduated from a more rigorous level of care or need to attend to family and work obligations.
Substance Use Disorder Program Costs in Belleair Beach, Florida
Some substance misuse recovery centers are privately-funded, while others are public and receive government funding. Each option has advantages and disadvantages depending on your circumstances. Moreover, one option may be more appropriate for you than the other.
Public treatment centers are vital because they provide treatment services, resources, and support for those uninsured or who could not afford them otherwise. However, beds are typically in high demand because these facilities are free or low-cost. As a result, those seeking help may have to wait a considerable amount of time for treatment.
Private centers cost more for services but also usually accept several health insurance options. Depending on the policyholder’s coverage, treatment not covered by health insurance may require out-of-pocket expenses. Still, many people find it worth it to undergo treatment in a more comfortable, intimate setting than those offered in government-funded programs. In addition, private treatment facilities aim to provide more comprehensive, personalized care and a better patient-to-staff ratio than public centers.
How Insurance Can Help
Privately-owned facilities typically accept major health providers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna. However, to ensure your insurance is accepted, call the center for a health benefits check to ensure this is the case. You may also need to contact your insurance provider to determine if the facility is in-network and confirm which services your plan will cover.
In addition to private insurance, many treatment centers accept Medicaid and Medicare. These government programs pay for certain medical and mental health care services for those who cannot afford private insurance, have long-standing disabilities, or are over age 65.
Belleair Beach, FL Addiction Recovery Resources
Support groups for drugs and alcohol provide a meeting place for individuals in recovery from active addiction to receive support from peers and be accountable for their sobriety. The most common are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and SMART Recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
A list of AA meetings near Belleair Beach can be found HERE.
Examples of consistently held, in-person AA meetings in Belleair Beach, Florida:
Anona Methodist Church
13233 Indian Rocks Rd, Key Largo, FL 33774
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
Liberty Worship Center (Women)
403 1st Ave SW, Key Largo, FL 33770
Sundays at 5:30 PM
Liberty Worship Center
403 1st Ave SW, Key Largo, FL 33770
Sunday-Friday at 12:00 PM
Saturdays at 10:45 AM
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
455 Missouri Ave N. Key Largo, FL 33770
Mondays at 8:00 PM
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
A list of NA meetings in Belleair Beach, Florida, can be found HERE.
Examples of consistently held, in-person NA meetings in and near Belleair Beach, Florida:
Indian Rocks Beach (Seasonal Meetings)
23rd Avenue Beach Access, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Fridays at 8:00 PM
Sundays at 11:00 AM
Calvary Episcopal Church
1615 1st Street, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Christ Presbyterian Church
3115 Dryer Avenue East, Largo, FL 33770
Saturdays at 8:00 pm
SMART Recovery Meetings
A list of SMART Recovery meetings near Belleair Beach, Florida, can be found HERE.
Examples of consistently held, in-person SMART Recovery meetings nearest to Belleair Beach, Florida:
Mental Health Community Centers
240B South Tuttle Ave Sarasota, FL
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
LifeWorks Substance Abuse Services
4678 Tamiami Trail #105, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Thursdays at 5:30 PM
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 Belleair Beach, 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 Guardian Recovery 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 Belleair Beach, 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 Belleair Beach, 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.
