The primary drug problem in Florida involves opioids - much as is the case in the rest of the United States. However, the state has also witnessed a rise in the abuse, misuse, and abuse of other substances - including alcohol. Currently, trends show that crystal meth, crack cocaine, regular cocaine, heroin, Xanax, opiates, valium, marijuana, and alcohol are among the most common substances of abuse here.
The Florida Department of Children and Families released a report in 2016 showing that more than 24,000 local citizens were admitted into an addiction treatment and rehabilitation facility for abusing alcohol. Of this number, over 23,000 were above the age of 18 years while 41.3 percent of the total admissions involved people aged 35 years and older.
Other statistics show that the state has witnessed a rise of the abuse of certain substances - particularly opioids and synthetic drugs. A new term has even been coined - novel psychoactive substances - that refers the latest drugs of abuse in the country. They typically involved modified and designer drugs, some of which tend to be more harmful than pure forms of the same substances. This is due to the fact that they are often mixed or cut using dangerous chemicals.
In 2010, for instance, MDMA was responsible for 1,071 of the crimes committed in the state. By 2014, however, this number had gone down to 140. This is according to reports released by the DEA - the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The opioid epidemic has made waves all across Florida. This has been due to the rising number of drug overdose deaths reported in the state in recent years. Even so, state officials, health organizations, and physicians continue working towards overdose prevention and safe prescription methods. They have also been encouraging the general public to ensure that they are informed about the problems caused by opioid drugs within local communities.
From 2015 to 2016, a total of 13,039 people were admitted into an addiction treatment facility for the abuse of opioids, or for struggling with an opioid use disorder. Of this number, 6,336 were male while the remaining 6,703 were female. This is according to a report released by the Department of Children and Families in the state.
The state has many addiction treatment and rehabilitation facilities. However, SAMHSA - the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - reported in 2015 that only about 20 percent of all the 592 organizations and agencies that were listed in Florida as recovery centers had received accreditation from The Joint Commission. This showed that a majority of these centers did not have a gold seal standard showing that they could provide high quality treatment following ethical practices.
In case you have been struggling with any of the common drug and alcohol abuse related problems in Florida, you can count on any of these addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers to guide you towards a lifestyle of long term wellness, recovery, sobriety, and health.