If you are struggling with addiction, know that you are not alone. Having an addiction to drugs and alcohol is a serious problem for countless people in the United States. In the state of Florida alone, thousands of people require treatment for a substance use disorder each year. With so many different types of addiction in this state, you might be wondering what the most common addictions in Florida are.
This article will break down the most common addictions in Florida so that you can understand how common this issue has become. Most importantly, if you are one of the thousands of Floridians who struggles with these common addictions, this article will show you that there are treatment options for you just around the corner.
Alcohol Abuse Is One of the Most Common Addictions in Florida
Alcohol Abuse Is One of the Most Common Addictions in Florida
To begin, addiction to alcohol is one of the most common addictions in Florida. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), tens of thousands of Floridians have reported excessive use of alcohol in recent years. Binge drinking and drinking more than five alcoholic beverages per week were the biggest issues out of these reports. Surprisingly, this study shows that alcohol abuse affects young adults from the ages of twelve and up, well below the legal drinking age.
The consequences of alcohol addiction are very dangerous and even deadly—not only for the people struggling with addiction, but also for the individuals they interact with. One of the greatest risks of alcohol abuse is impaired judgement.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documents over 6,000 deaths caused by excessive drinking in 2013. Similarly, in 2018, over 30,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Florida. There was also a significant amount of alcohol-impaired driving casualties reported for Florida in 2018.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to understand the true impact of these statistics, especially if you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol. This is why it’s important to know that this is one of the most common addictions in Florida. Additionally, there are specific signs to watch out for that indicate if you are struggling with alcohol abuse, such as:
- Being unable to control how much you drink in a day or night
- Experiencing blackouts
- Feeling alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you are not drinking
Drug Abuse Affects Countless Floridians Each Year
As with alcohol abuse, drug abuse is one of the most common addictions in Florida. With drug abuse, there are certain types of addiction that impact people in Florida more than others. SAMHSA reports that addiction to illicit drugs is an issue for thousands of people in Florida on a yearly basis. Addiction to illicit drugs covers a wide range of substances, including:
Drug use in Florida continues to be a major problem, especially when it comes to opioid addiction. In fact, nearly 70% of drug-related overdoses in Florida in 2018 were a result of opioids. The number of Florida doctors prescribing opioids to patients was even higher than the national average.
The tricky aspect about drug abuse is that you need specialized treatment to safely recover. With any addiction, your body becomes dependent on the substance—whether this is alcohol or illicit drugs. If you abruptly stop using drugs or alcohol, you might go into withdrawal and have serious health problems like seizures, vomiting, dehydration, and worsening mental health symptoms.
This is why it is extremely important that you find Florida treatment centers that will keep you safe as you progress on your recovery journey. The goal is for you to have different treatment options that will ensure your total wellbeing: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Substance Abuse Treatment Options
One of the most important aspects of addiction treatment is the assessment process. At your treatment facility in St. Cloud, Florida, mental health professionals will document your family history, any past experiences with addiction, and your current symptoms. During this process, you will also be assessed for any signs of mental health disorders.
Mental health conditions are incredibly common to have alongside addiction struggles. These co-occurring disorders require treatment, usually with the assistance of a dual diagnosis program. For many people struggling with addiction, mental health concerns often lead to drug abuse or excessive drinking. If you do have symptoms of any mental illness in addition to addiction, your treatment program will help you develop healthier coping strategies to use to keep yourself safe in crisis situations or when any symptoms become overwhelming.
After the assessment and determination of which addiction treatment program would be best for your specific needs, you will most likely complete an alcohol detox or drug detox program to get physically prepared for recovery. Only then will you be able to focus entirely on your emotional and mental wellbeing.
There are many different therapeutic approaches to help treat addiction. These include:
- Medication management
- Recreational therapy
- Addiction education
- Care for after you leave the program
- And connections to alumni support groups.
With all of these resources available to you, you can finally regain control over your addiction. If you’ve found yourself struggling with the most common addictions in Florida, you can still find treatment and even help others who are in the same position as you.
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The term hit bottom often comes up in conversations about addiction. Loved ones are told if they let the addicted person face tough consequences, they may stop using substances. Some addiction experts are trying to debunk that idea. They say loved ones should try to play a different role. From member station WBUR, Deborah Becker has the story of a Massachusetts family that tried both approaches to help their son.
FAQ
- What are the most common addictions in Florida?
Florida faces widespread issues with addiction to alcohol, opioids (prescription painkillers), marijuana, cocaine, and tranquilizers. - Which addiction causes the highest number of overdose deaths in Florida?
Fentanyl-related deaths lead the chart, followed by cocaine and alcohol. - How prevalent are substance use disorders in Florida?
Approximately 14.7% of Floridians aged 12 and older report substance use disorders, with alcohol at 9.25% and drug use (including illicit/prescription) at 7.64%. - Is alcohol the most commonly treated addiction in Florida?
Yes—alcohol remains the primary substance prompting treatment admissions. Tobacco use disorders are also widespread but less formally tracked. - How impactful is drug abuse in terms of fatalities in Florida?
Florida records over 3,000 drug-related deaths annually, with opioid overdose being a major contributor—higher than deaths from gun violence or traffic accidents.
