Prescription drug abuse in Florida is a growing problem. Drug abuse, specifically opioid and prescription drug abuse, has skyrocketed in the United States since the late 1990s. Since then, nearly 841,000 people have died from a drug overdose.¹ The nation currently finds itself in the middle of an opioid epidemic that began in the late 90s as a result of growing prescriptions for painkillers like opioids. These drugs' dangers and potential for abuse were ignored, resulting in a drug epidemic. Because addiction is a chronic disease, individuals with this disorder require comprehensive treatment that will treat both its mental and physical side effects. Our nationwide Banyan rehab locations offer various addiction treatment programs in Florida that individuals in any area of the Sunshine State can receive.

Florida Counties With Most Drug Overdoses

Florida is made up of 67 counties, each of which is known for drug-related or alcohol-related issues. There are 10 Florida counties, in particular, where substance abuse is most prevalent compared to the rest.

The top 10 Florida counties with the most drug overdoses include:

• Pasco County
• Monroe County
• Okeechobee County
• Manatee County
• Pinellas County
• Brevard County
• Hernando County
• Citrus County
• Sarasota County
• Palm Beach County

Between 1999 and 2016, Pasco County had the highest number of overdose-related deaths compared to other counties in the state. Pasco County – located near Polk County, Sumter County, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and Hernando County – has experienced nearly 1,641 overdose deaths. Drug abuse has also increased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reported 1,491 overdoses in 2020, which resulted in 268 deaths – a whopping 71% increase from 2019.³ Opioids are among the most commonly abused drugs in this county and are becoming a bigger problem for other areas in Florida. Addiction treatment facilities in Florida are high in demand, and finding one that offers medical detox alongside substance-specific treatments and therapies is important to recovery. Detox services are offered at both our Sebring rehab location and our Stuart treatment facility.

In Monroe County, the rate of hospitalizations for opioids grew from 12.3 per 100,000 people in 2006 to 24.2 in 2011.⁴ These hospitalizations were related to both the intentional drug overdoses and the increase in unintentional overdoses on opioids and benzos between 2006 and 2011. Heavy drinking and alcohol abuse are also common issues in Monroe County. In 2010 alone, 25.1% of Monroe County adults reported binge drinking compared to 15% for the whole of Florida.⁴ Finding effective drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Florida is imperative for reducing these numbers and preventing further cases of substance abuse.

Florida Cities Affected by Substance Abuse

The rates of drug and alcohol abuse aren’t evenly distributed across the country, let alone across the state of Florida. 3,189 of the 4,698 reported drug overdose deaths in Florida were related to opioids in 2018.⁵ The rate of prescriptions for opioids was higher than the rate of prescriptions in the nation. In 2018, Florida healthcare providers wrote 53.7 opioid prescriptions per 100 people, compared to the average U.S. rate of 51.4 prescriptions.⁵ When looking at various cities throughout Florida, the rate of drug and alcohol abuse becomes more evident.

Florida cities most affected by substance abuse include:

• Tampa
• Pensacola
• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Orlando
• St. Petersburg
• Hialeah
• Tallahassee
• Fort Lauderdale
• Port St. Lucie
• Pensacola Ocala
• Boca Raton
• Hollywood
• West Palm Beach
• Kissimmee
• Panama City
• St. Augustine
• Melbourne
• Pompano Beach
• Homestead
• North Port
• Cape Coral
• Daytona Beach
• Pembroke Pines
• Naples
• Sarasota
• Destin
• & More

These are only a few of the various cities in Florida that have been affected by the opioid epidemic and alcohol abuse. Our nationwide addiction treatment center offers a variety of substance abuse programs in Florida. Banyan Pompano is one of Florida's safest, most effective, and most comfortable addiction centers.

Most Abused Drugs in Florida

Although opioid abuse is common in many areas of Florida, the state also struggles with addiction rates that are related to other substances. Some of the most commonly abused substances in Florida include:

• Opioids
• Benzodiazepines
• Prescription Painkillers
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Amphetamine

At Banyan Treatment Centers, not only do we offer substance abuse programs that address these substances, but we also offer numerous unique programs and therapies for all Florida residents.

Florida Mental Health Services

It is not uncommon for a person living with addiction to also experience some kind of mental health concern. In fact, within two weeks in February of 2023, 32.3% of Floridian adults surveyed reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders.⁶ This highlights the need for support, even if a substance use disorder is not present.

Luckily, our numerous mental health facilities in Florida offer programs to aid patients in overcoming a variety of disorders, including:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia

Banyan offers Florida mental health facilities in both Boca Raton and Pompano Beach. We also provide support to those living with a co-occurring disorder. This is when a person suffers from both an addiction and mental illness simultaneously.

Get Help With Our Addiction Treatment Programs in Florida

At our drug addiction facilities in Florida, we offer several forms of addiction treatment that cover substances like:

• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Methamphetamine
• Opioids
• Prescription Pills

Before going into our substance-specific treatments, patients usually begin one of our detox programs. These programs are medically assisted, meaning that our team may administer medications to patients to treat withdrawal symptoms if necessary. This form of treatment is essential to the recovery process because it reduces the discomfort of withdrawals and mitigates addiction cravings.

Each of our Banyan locations is dedicated to helping each of our patients recover from the effects of drugs and alcohol. We know that addiction is a debilitating disease that can destroy a person’s life if they don’t get help. If you or a loved one is battling addiction, act now.

Contact us today to learn more about our addiction recovery centers in Florida and the levels of care we offer.

Sources:

1. CDC - America’s Drug Overdose Epidemic: Putting Data to Action
2. CDC - U.S. Opioid Dispensing Rate Maps
3. Florida Department of Health -  Overdose Deaths Accelerating COVID-19 Pandemic, Expanded Prevention Efforts Needed
4. HJC - Substance Use and Mental Health in Monroe County, Florida
5. CDC - Florida: Opioid-Involved Deaths and Related Harms
6. KFF - Mental Health in Florida

Related Reading:

The Role of Technology in Mental Health

What Happens When You Drink Alcohol Every Day?