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Troubled Fort Lauderdale
Like many other major metropolitan areas in the state of Florida, Fort Lauderdale—located in the historically troubled Broward County—is facing a tidal wave of drug addiction, and much of its problems stems directly from a quite tenuous location.
The state of Florida itself is a peninsula--close to the Caribbean, South America, and Central America--and thus is plagued by several (largely) indefensible entryways known for illegal drug trafficking. Additionally in terms of population, South Florida is largely a transient community, and Fort Lauderdale sports a large, ethnically diverse population of residents, affecting the wide array of substances being used. To top it all off, the shipping port in Fort Lauderdale--Port Everglades--is one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world, allowing countless opportunities for drugs to enter the county. All of these factors together make up the perfect storm for drug trafficking, and widespread drug abuse.
Not surprisingly, drug crimes in Fort Lauderdale run the gamut, as the city sees large numbers of possession charges every single year for powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, cannabis, heroin, hydrocodone, OxyContin, and Xanax. And in recent years, Fort Lauderdale has had to battle another impossible foe—widespread opioid addiction—with its soaring drug overdose rates giving us a hint of countless masses of lives and families that are being decimated. Currently in Fort Lauderdale, the majority of overdose deaths can be attributed to the abuse of prescription and synthetic opioids. (Additionally, Illicit opioids like heroin are also widely abused, as they are often the next graduating step after prescription pain pills.) Perhaps what is mostly concerning is that non-pharmaceutical fentanyl (fentanyl made at home or in illegal cooking facilities) is being found in Broward county at ever-increasing rates, and a dose of fentanyl the size of a penny is enough to kill a human being. Through on-going drug seizure efforts and constantly changing legislation, we can only hope that authorities will be able to stem the tide.
Alcohol and Drug Rehab Settings and Approaches in Fort Lauderdale
Alcohol and drug dependency impacts people of all ages, genders, and walks of life. The drug and alcohol rehabs and resources, such as long term drug addiction treatment, outpatient detox centers, inpatient rehabs, short term rehab centers, outpatient day treatment, are designed to offer excellent care to anyone who struggles with substance abuse, regardless of their personal circumstance.
Alcohol and drug rehab centers in the Fort Lauderdale area are not all the same. They offer a variety of methods, such as vocational rehabilitation services, group therapy, motivational interviewing, couple/family therapy, cognitive/behavior therapy, substance abuse counseling approach, that allow patients to face their alcohol and drug dependency in the way that is most beneficial for them.
Special Programs for Addiction Recovery
Even with the widespread presence of addiction, each individual who struggles with alcohol and drug addiction issues has their own unique circumstances that require an individualized approach. That is why the rehab centers in Fort Lauderdale offer a number of special services such as self-help groups, co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, housing services, veterans, seniors or older adults, clients with HIV/AIDS.
Treatment Payment Options
Clients and their families should not defer recovery because of concerns about cost. Rehabilitation centers provide many possibilities for payment, like the following: private medical insurance, private pay, medicaid, medicare, sliding fee scale, state welfare or child and family services funds, other state funds. Drug and alcohol rehabs can guide clients and their loved ones toward the payment options that will put rehabilitation within reach.
Those who struggle with drug and alcohol dependency should not wait to access the various resources accessible in Fort Lauderdale, FL..
Commonly Asked Questions about Addiction and Treatment
How can I help a loved one with their addiction to drugs?
Helping a loved one who's struggling with drug addiction can be a complex task that requires compassion, patience, and understanding. Here are several steps you can take:
- Educate Yourself: Learn about addiction and the specific substance(s) your loved one is using. Understanding the nature of addiction, its effects on the brain and behavior, and the process of recovery can make you a more effective source of support.
- Communicate: Open a dialogue with your loved one about their addiction. Make sure to approach them with empathy, expressing your concerns without judgment or blame. Use "I" statements to convey how their behavior is affecting you and others.
- Encourage Treatment: Encourage your loved one to seek professional help. This could involve a variety of treatments, such as detoxification, therapy (individual or group), medications, or residential treatment programs. Each person's pathway to recovery will be unique, so it's important to explore different options to find what may work best for them.
- Support, Don't Enable: There's a fine line between supporting a loved one and enabling their drug use. It's important to assist them in their recovery process, but refrain from protecting them from the negative consequences of their addiction. This might involve setting boundaries for their behavior.
- Take Care of Yourself: Supporting a loved one through addiction can be emotionally challenging. Be sure to take care of your own physical and mental health as well. Seek support from others, such as friends, family, or support groups like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, which are specifically designed for those affected by a loved one's substance use.
- Stay Patient: Recovery is a long-term process that often involves setbacks. Patience, perseverance, and hope are key during this journey. Celebrate small victories and remember that progress may be slow, but it is still progress.
- Involve Professionals: If your loved one is resistant to seeking help, consider a professionally facilitated intervention. An interventionist can guide you and your family through the process of conveying your concerns and the need for treatment in a structured setting.
Is there Government assistance to pay for rehab?
Yes, in the United States, there are several forms of government assistance that can help pay for rehab.
Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Many states' Medicaid programs provide coverage for a range of substance use disorder services, including detoxification, outpatient counseling, residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and more. The specific services covered and eligibility criteria can vary by state.
Medicare: Medicare, a federal program primarily for people age 65 and older, also provides coverage for some substance use disorder treatment. This can include inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment services, and medication-assisted treatment.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA): The ACA, also known as Obamacare, requires health insurance plans sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace to cover substance use disorder services. This means that individuals who purchase insurance through the Marketplace can access rehab services, often at a lower cost due to income-based subsidies.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA offers grants to states and organizations to provide treatment and recovery services for individuals with substance use disorders. Individuals may be able to access services funded by these grants at little or no cost.
State and Local Government Programs: Many states and localities have their own programs to help residents access substance use disorder treatment. These programs may offer direct funding for treatment, operate state-funded treatment facilities, or provide vouchers to pay for private treatment.
Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA provides a range of substance use disorder treatment services to eligible veterans, including detoxification, rehab, outpatient counseling, and medication-assisted treatment.
Indian Health Service (IHS): The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, including services for substance use disorders.
When do you walk away from a loved one that is a drug addict?
Deciding to distance yourself from a loved one who is struggling with addiction is a deeply personal and difficult decision. There's no universal right or wrong answer, as it depends on the individual circumstances, the severity of the addiction, the impact on your wellbeing, and other factors. However, there are a few circumstances where walking away might be the appropriate course of action:
- Self-preservation: If the relationship with the loved one is causing significant harm to your mental, emotional, or physical health, it may be necessary to establish boundaries or distance yourself for your own wellbeing. Remember, you can't effectively support others if you're not taking care of yourself.
- Enabling Behavior: If your actions are enabling the individual's substance abuse rather than supporting their recovery, creating distance might be beneficial. Enabling can include covering up for their substance use, providing financial support for their habit, or repeatedly rescuing them from the consequences of their behavior.
- Lack of Respect for Boundaries: If your loved one consistently ignores or disrespects boundaries that you have established, it might be time to consider distancing yourself.
- Abuse or Violence: If your loved one becomes abusive or violent under the influence of drugs, prioritizing your safety is crucial. In such instances, it's critical to seek help from local authorities or a domestic violence hotline.
- Unwillingness to Seek Help: If your loved one consistently refuses to seek help, denies they have a problem, or repeatedly relapses without making an effort towards recovery, it might be necessary to consider distancing yourself.
