Saint Petersburg, FL Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Substance Abuse Stats in St. Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida. It has a population of around 265,000 people. As one of the largest cities in Florida, St. Petersburg sees a lot of drug and alcohol activity.

Check out these alarming substance abuse stats from Pinellas County and the state of Florida:

  • Someone dies of a drug overdose in Pinellas County every 32 hours.
  • More than half of the adults in Florida said they drank in the past month when surveyed.
  • Florida has a higher rate of drug overdose deaths than the nation as a whole.

Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab

The two main kinds of substance abuse treatment are inpatient rehab and outpatient care. They each have pros and cons. It is important to be aware of the differences between the two if you are trying to choose a treatment plan.

  • Outpatient care is for people who have either already finished inpatient rehab, or who do not need very much support. Outpatients can continue to live at home while receiving treatment.
  • Inpatient rehab is the right choice for most individuals. This kind of treatment involves living at the treatment center alongside others in recovery as well as support staff.

How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?

It is common for inpatient programs to last anywhere from 30 days to a year. In general, you will get better results the longer you stay in treatment.

30 and 60-day rehab programs are common, but it is advised to stay longer than 90 days if you can. Longer programs are more effective.

Short rehab programs mean a higher relapse risk. Any time you might have ‘saved’ by choosing a short program will be lost if you end up back in treatment after relapsing.

What to Expect at Rehab

Rehab is meant to be an immersive experience. While no two programs are exactly alike, you can expect to have busy, structured days that are focused on your recovery.

A day spent at rehab might include:

  • Therapy
  • Activity therapy like art or yoga
  • Check-ins
  • Group meetings
  • Skills classes
  • Healthy meals
  • Exercise

Rehab is meant to include both formal treatment methods and supportive elements that build your confidence and independence. 

You should leave rehab feeling ready to transition into outpatient care without a problem. If you still feel unstable when your program ends, you may need to stay longer.

When Would You Need to Go to Detox?

If you are physically dependent on drugs and/or alcohol, you need to go to detox. 

Rehab centers are not equipped to properly help people who are in withdrawal. This is where detox centers come in. Withdrawal can include serious symptoms such as:

  • Agitation
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Tremors
  • Nausea

Withdrawal starts when a person who is addicted to a substance stops taking it. Detox is necessary because without medical supervision, withdrawal may be dangerous. Furthermore, it is very common for people to relapse when they try to detox at home.

How Long is Detox?

It is impossible to know exactly how long you will need to stay in detox. Depending on the specifics of your situation, you may need to stay at detox for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. 

Factors such as your overall health and your drug abuse history will play a role in how long detox takes. It is best to stabilize completely before starting rehab. This way, you get the most difficult step out of the way so you can focus while you are at rehab. 

A care provider can help you choose a detox program that fits your needs.

Sources

  1. Florida Adolescent Substance Abuse Facts. (2019, May 1). Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/national-and-state-data-sheets/adolescents-and-substance-abuse/florida/index.html
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, May 22). Florida Opioid Summary. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/florida-opioid-summary
  3. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (n.d.). Florida. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHsaeSpecificStates2017B/NSDUHsaeFlorida2017.pdf
  4. Pinellas County, Florida, Consumer Protection – Fighting Back Against Prescription Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pinellascounty.org/justice/fightingback.htm