Vero Beach

Vero Beach, Florida, which is located in Indian River County, faces the same struggles as the remainder of the county when dealing with drug and alcohol treatment resources. The historically quaint beautiful city battles the struggle of substance abuse.

Vero Beach was settled in the 1880s by Henry T. Gifford. Vero, which means “to speak the truth,”. The city was given by Gifford’s wife Sarah. Since the 1880’s it has become a beautiful home to an estimated 17,236 (2018) citizens and a thriving tourist location.

Tourism in Vero Beach Leads to City Growth

Tourists have chosen to stay within Vero Beach due to the gorgeous beaches, parks, and nature preserves. Not to mention for the fantastic golf clubs, various art locations, and the fundamental historical aspects. Also in part, due to the general location of Vero Beach in relation to other cities. Some travel to experience shopping and dine at the wide range of restaurants.

Tourism has helped the economy of Vero Beach greatly. Not only has the economy been amplified but 52% of tourism tax dollars within Indian River County are used specifically for beach restoration. Making visiting and living in Vero Beach an amazing experience.

Although Vero Beach has many amazing qualities it is also impacted by drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. Substance abuse and addiction can impact communities, no matter how wonderful they are. Luckily there are several treatment centers and resources available within Vero Beach.

The Treatment Centers of Vero Beach

Vero Beach holds eight different centers for addiction treatment. Each boasts of its own amenities and treatments. While choosing a treatment facility it is paramount to discuss options for specific needs with a medical professional. Medical staff is able to provide a clear outline of what the treatment plan should entail. Whether that be detox or to begin meetings like the 12 steps with AA or those of NA.

While choosing the facility to begin treatment there are several things to take into consideration. Such as, the approach that is taken or the services offered at different facilities. Another important factor while choosing the rehabilitation facility are the insurance(s) they accept. Within the various facilities, it is important to be mindful of the five specific areas listed below.

  1. Treatment Approach- How they approach treatment
  2. Rehabilitation Services – The services they render
  3. Costs- Do they take insurance? What is the cost of different amenities?
  4. A specific approach geared towards certain demographics- Age-appropriate facility? Is it geared towards the wealthy? Is it geared toward abused women?
  5. Ancillary Services- Do they provide food service, car service, etc?

Vero Beach Treatment Centers

Treatment Center Types

Throughout the country, there are many different types of treatment centers that target certain needs or desires. No two facilities are going to be identical. Some treatment centers could have a religious focus or a mental health focus. Other treatment centers could provide detox from a specific substance or only provide outpatient rehabilitation services.

  • Long-Term Residential Treatment – This treatment refers to care being provided 24 hours a day. Some are located within a hospital, but the majority are not. The stay can range from six to twelve months and be mapped out in accordance with the length of time necessary. This is the most well-known type of treatment as historically, it is proven to be the most effective.
  • Short-Term Residential Treatment – This treatment refers to an intensive round of treatment ranging from three to six weeks. This treatment is generally followed by a treatment plan loosely based on the 12-step approach. There is a heavy emphasis on outpatient therapy and the meeting’s in their target self-help groups.
  • Outpatient Treatment – This type of treatment ranges from their intensity to their type of treatment. Generally, they are more affordable and successful if the person has the support of family and friends. Outpatient treatment plans need to be researched beforehand due to their variability. Some offer little resources while others are vastly more similar to residential type services.
  • Day Treatment / Partial Hospitalization – A variant of outpatient treatment where those impacted are able to stay at home but receive detox, withdrawal, and counseling.
  • Sober Living Communities – Communities or a home where those impacted are able to stay with others who have also been through treatment. Implementing the new routines learned in treatment can be hard once the return home has occurred. The sober living communities allow for establishing those routines in an environment while coping with the stress of the change.
  • Detoxification/Detox – Designed specifically to rid the body of the substances while under medical supervision. The around-the-clock care provided by detox centers those impacted able to receive safe and comfortable care during withdrawal. This process can last from hours to weeks dependent upon the substance, the amount used, and the length of abuse of the substance.
  • Individualized Drug Counseling- Rather than the focus of the treatment is solely on stopping or cutting down the abuse of substances it also focuses on other areas of life. The areas of life such as the relationships of those struggling or their employment. Throughout the short-term treatment, those struggling are able to learn strategies to help cope. They are also guided towards group meetings specific to their needs and recommended to other sources for their recovery.
  • Group Counseling- Group counseling is used within all the above treatments due to its amazing social benefits. It also provides a helping hand towards peer support to live without the use of drugs.

Vero Beach Drug Abuse – You’re not alone in this struggle

As a country, we have been battling various epidemics throughout the years in regards to drugs and alcohol abuse. The substances ever-changing and evolving but still wreaking havoc throughout homes and communities. In 2017 alone there were 19.7 million Americans (12 and older, that were battling a substance use disorder. Florida is no different. As recently as 2017 Florida was ranked the 17th highest in drug overdose deaths in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State of Florida Drug Use Statistics

From January 2017 to June 2018, the Florida State Medical Examiner office issued its drug report. The report lists the drugs found within the body at the time of death or as the cause of death. The findings are extensive within the report. As a whole, the report did find a five percent decrease in drug-related deaths. A significant finding within the report stated there were 1,792 people who died with a prescription drug in their system. Death was caused by mixing with other substances. This finding highlights the importance of responsible prescription drug use.

Listed below are the drugs that had been found to cause the most deaths in the state of Florida.

  • Fentanyl (1,101)
  • Cocaine (844)
  • Benzodiazepines (559)
  • Ethyl Alcohol (442)
  • Fentanyl analogs (437)
  • Heroin (397)
  • Oxycodone (257)
  • Methamphetamine (274)

Indian River County: District 19

Vero Beach, a city in Indian River County, has been battling the struggle of substance abuse along with the remainder of Florida. The Medical Examiner drug report does not break down each county into specifics but it does break down the districts. Indian County is a part of District 19. District 19 had experienced loss of life from the cause of drugs as well. Listed below are the totals for District 19 by the drug.

  • Oxycodone – 15
  • Hydrocodone – 2
  • Methadone – 3
  • Morphine – 9
  • Fentanyl – 32
  • Fentanyl Analogs – 6
  • Heroin – 3
  • Cocaine – 21
  • Methamphetamine – 2

As the report had shown, fentanyl has caused the most occurrences of death within District 19. The same findings for the state of Florida. Florida has seen a 64 percent increase in the cause of death due to fentanyl since the previous report by the Medical Examiner Office of 2017.

Young Adult Drug Use in Florida

As for the young adult age bracket of ages 18-25, the illicit drug use in Florida (7.1%) and the United States (7.2%) sit around the same percentage with the United States slightly higher. In the same age bracket, Florida has a percentage of 35.9% for past-month binge alcohol use. Florida’s stats are slightly lower compared to the United States (38.1%.) The average statistics for alcohol use disorder in the United States is reported at 11%. Whereas Florida averaged at 9.9%. Which is a significant improvement from the previous average of 16.9% from the years 2002-2005.

Substance use disorder in Florida was averaged to be 14.4% while the United States average was 15.1%. The national average of those with serious thoughts of suicide was 8.5%. Florida, again, slightly lower than the national, averaged 8.1%. However, that percentage had increased from 6.3% since the report from 2008 to 2012. Those with a serious mental illness nationally had been reported as 5.5% whereas Florida was 5.1%. Florida increasing again from their initial reporting from 2008 to 2012 of 3.4%.

Mental Health Services in Vero Beach

Our mental health is largely responsible for all parts of our thought process, actions, and wellbeing. When we focus on improving our mental health many other positive things correlate with it. However, when we ignore the red flags with our mental health other areas of our health may decline.

Those struggling with mental health issues sometimes turn to drugs or alcohol to alleviate their problems. However, due to the interactions of drugs and alcohol within the brain, the substances can cause those with mental health difficulties to struggle even more. Both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders have similar causes. Each can be caused by changes within the brain, a person’s genetic composition or environmental factors like stress.

Luckily, here in Vero Beach, there are nineteen different mental health treatment facilities located within the city.

Recovery Meetings In Vero Beach

Vero Beach holds a variety of meetings from 12 Step meetings to support groups for family and friends. Helping to create a wonderful community for everyone including those who need local support for themselves or their family members.

12 Step Meetings:

AA Meetings

  • Newport Club
    2536 16th Ave, Vero Beach

  • Jaycee Park
    4200 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach

  • Center for Spiritual Care
    1550 24th St, Vero Beach

  • St. Helen Catholic Church
    2000 20th St, Vero Beach

  • Ryanwood Fellowship
    2196 54th Ave, Vero Beach

  • Our Savior Lutheran Church
    2196 54th Ave, Vero Beach

  • St. Augustine Episcopal Church
    475 43rd Ave, Vero Beach

  • New Hope Ministries
    4425 71st St, Vero Beach

  • Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church
    3755 Florida A1A, Vero Beach

  • Church of Christ
    3306 20th St, Vero Beach

  • First Presbyterian Church
    520 Royal Palm Blvd, Vero Beach

  • Camp Haven
    3256 US-1, Vero Beach

NA Meetings

  • Unity Church of Vero Beach
    950 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach

  • Vero Christian Church
    3250 9th St SW, Vero Beach

  • St. Helen Catholic Church
    2000 20th St, Vero Beach

  • Thompson Lifelong Learning Center
    1110 18th Ave SW, Vero Beach

  • Our Savior Lutheran Church
    2196 54th Ave, Vero Beach

SMART Recovery Meetings

  • Indian River County Main Library
    1600 21st St, Vero Beach

Faith-Based Step Meetings:

Celebrate Recovery Step Studies: Men / Women / All

  • Immanuel Church
    455 58th Avenue Southwest, Vero Beach

  • Church of Christ-Vero Beach
    3306 20th St, Vero Beach

Life Hurts God Heals: 8-step student group addressing drugs & troubled family dynamics

  • Immanuel Church
    455 58th Avenue Southwest, Vero Beach

Support Groups for Family & Friends:

AL-Anon

  • Our Savior Lutheran Church

2196 54th Ave, Vero Beach

  • Trinity Episcopal Church

2365 Pine Ave, Vero Beach

Adult Children of Alcoholics

  • The Community Church of Vero Beach

1901 23rd St, Vero Beach

Getting Help in Vero Beach – Recovery is Close

As listed above, there are a variety of meetings located within the Vero Beach community. Many other meetings are held directly outside of Vero Beach city walls are not included within this list. Aside from these specific meeting centers and facilities, there are also non-profit locations for treatment. The Gulfstream Goodwill Industries helps those within recovery to restabilize.

There is a variety of information located within this article as well as throughout the web that provides treatment services within Vero Beach. Thus creating a huge bond within the community itself.

We hope you’ve gathered as much as necessary to help. Contact us here at Coastal Detox or call (877) 978-3125 for further information.

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