
Addiction Information & Rehab Options in Florida
Addiction is a devastating and widespread problem in Florida.1 Fortunately, the Sunshine State has many available resources for treatment and support. Read on to learn more about finding local rehabilitation centers, emergency services, paying for treatment, and general info on substance abuse in the region.

Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab
Finding Addiction Treatment in FL
Effective addiction treatment comes in different forms. The rehab setting, length of time, and combination of therapies (as well as the need for medication) varies based on the needs of different individuals.2
People seeking addiction treatment in Florida have many different options for addiction treatment available to them. Common forms of addiction treatment include:4
- Detox.
- Interim care (while someone waits to be admitted to inpatient rehab).
- Outpatient treatment.
- Inpatient treatment (in a hospital setting).
- Residential treatment.
- Sober living facilities.
How to Choose a Rehab Facility
It is crucial that treatment takes an integrated approach, addressing all factors that may lead someone to drink or use drugs, which include co-occurring mental disorders, social problems, concerns of domestic violence, and legal problems.2
The levels of addiction care provided at River Oaks include:
- Medical detox.
- Inpatient treatment.
- Residential treatment.
- Partial hospitalization (day treatment).
- Intensive outpatient care.
Sometimes someone’s addiction treatment necessitates administering medication, which River Oaks is equipped to provide.
River Oaks also helps facilitate entry into aftercare, such as 12-Step programs or transitional housing if necessary. Additionally, there are specialized treatment tracks for various demographics, like the:

Narcan & Overdose Emergency Resources in FL

How Much Does Addiction Treatment Cost in Florida?
- How someone pays for treatment (i.e., with or without insurance).
- The extent of their insurance coverage.
- The type of treatment needed.
- The facility itself.
Cost is one of the most common barriers, often stopping people from getting the help they need. But with federal mandates like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and mental health parity laws, the overwhelming majority of Americans with health coverage have insurance that covers rehab.7
Even without insurance, there are options to help handle the cost of rehab. Some rehab facilities may offer different payment options, such as financing, “sliding scales” (which provide discounts for people with low incomes), or scholarship programs.
Government-funded rehab centers may also be able to provide free or low-cost rehab for eligible individuals, though these programs typically have strict criteria for acceptance and long waiting lists. Medicaid, which someone may enroll in year-round, is a government-funded assistance program that provides healthcare at a lower cost for low-income individuals.9, 10
Insurance Coverage for Rehab in FL
Most people with insurance will have coverage for addiction treatment in Florida. However, the extent of this coverage varies between policies. It is important to visit an in-network facility when using insurance to pay for addiction treatment, as this usually results in lower out-of-pocket costs.11
River Oaks accepts coverage from many common insurers, such as Humana, TRICARE, Cigna, Aetna, and more.
To see if your insurance carrier provides coverage at River Oaks, fill out our confidential . If you prefer to speak to a representative directly or want more detailed information on insurance coverage and what to expect from the treatment admissions process, please reach out to an admissions navigator at .
Check Your Insurance Coverage
You can see whether your insurer covers treatment at River Oaks within minutes by using the HIPAA-compliant online form below. You’ll need your:
- Email address.
- Name of your insurer.
- Insurance policy number.


Substance Abuse in Florida
- In 2018, 4,698 people in the Sunshine State died from drug overdose. 68% of these overdoses involved opioids.18
- 2,962 people died by cocaine-involved overdose in 2019.19
- The number of deaths per year caused by meth-involved overdose in Florida increased by nearly 90% between 2013 and 2019 (totaling 1,419 in 2019).19, 20
- In 2019, 1,101 people in Florida died of from traffic accidents involving drivers impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.21
Rural Florida Populations & Substance Abuse
Drugs are not only an issue within highly populated cities, they are also prevalent in rural areas as well. Additionally, people in rural locations often have trouble accessing the treatment they need.22
According to the Florida Department of Health, there are 30 rural counties in the state of Florida (as of 2010), each with a population density of less than 100 residents per square mile.23 Rural counties are often plagued with high unemployment, poverty rates, and low education levels. Environmental factors, like socioeconomic status and quality of life, contribute to someone’s propensity for addiction.22
Rural counties are often considered Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) meaning that there are not enough medical and specialty providers in close enough proximity to residents, among other indicators like poverty level and access to care.24 Rural Florida residents may have to travel out of the county they reside in to obtain services.
To complicate things further, residents in rural counties are often less likely to be insured as well, and residents may therefore be less likely to seek medical or mental health services.25
Prescription Drug Abuse in Florida
The United States has struggled with prescription drug abuse in various forms for decades. The most recent epidemic predominantly involves prescription narcotic painkillers, which are chemically similar to heroin. Since the late 1990s, these drugs have been widely prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, despite their addictive properties and high potential for abuse.26 In Florida specifically, many patients developed opioid use disorders (OUD) due to the abundance of “pill mills” between 2003 and 2010, which profited by dispensing large amounts of prescription drugs without proper medical oversight.27
Many people in Florida also struggle with addiction to other types of prescription substances, including benzodiazepines and stimulants. The practice of mixing opioids with benzodiazepines is especially dangerous. In 2019, benzodiazepines were present in 16% of opioid-involved overdoses across the United States.28
Although Florida’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and strict laws against pill mills have helped slow the increase in prescription drug addiction, there are still many local people battling addiction.
- In 2018, 1,282 people in Florida died from a prescription opioid-involved overdose.18
- Both in 2018 and 2019, state medical examiners found more prescription drugs than illicit drugs in the bodies of deceased people.19
- In 2019, 4,317 Floridians died with at least one prescription drug in their system that was identified as the cause of death, a 17% increase from the previous year.19
- Benzodiazepines were involved in 4,209 of those deaths, with alprazolam (Xanax) being the most prevalent prescription drug found. It was involved in 1,523 overdose deaths in Florida in 2019.19
Addiction treatment can improve an individual’s overall quality of life and wellbeing. Fortunately, there are many options for Florida residents to find help for substance use disorders. If you are struggling with addiction and ready to start treatment, please reach out to a River Oaks admissions navigator at .
Getting Help for Substance Abuse
It's common to feel stuck and overwhelmed when you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. Often, those looking for rehab will have numerous questions and don't know where to start. We're here to help.
Common Questions About Rehab
Learn more about finding the right rehab for addiction treatment. Our list of FAQs also offers quick answers to common questions about treatment at River Oaks: general, patient, and families.
Getting to River Oaks
River Oaks is a drug & alcohol treatment center in Riverview, FL, just outside of Tampa. We offer a full continuum of care including detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, and sober living. Click here for admissions info and directions to our facility.
Paying for Treatment
One of the first questions people often ask when considering rehab is, "What will it cost?" Starting recovery does not have to be expensive; in many cases, insurance will cover some or all of the costs. Learn more about payment options for rehab.