Detox Centers in Gibsonton, Florida

Sometimes known as Gibtown, Gibsonton is an unincorporated community in Florida’s Hillsborough County. The small census-designated area is home to around 18,556 residents.¹ U.S. Route 41 runs through the neighborhood, once famous as a sideshow wintering town, where circuses would spend the off-season. A small, quiet town close to downtown Tampa, Gibsonton is no stranger to the substance misuse trends in Hillsborough.²

Substance abuse and mental health problems are among the top priorities of Hillsborough County residents. There is a limited activity by the public health system, and there’s an opportunity for substantial improvement.³

The most common substances of misuse in Gibsonton are:²

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Opioids

By 2022, at least 20% of Hillsborough County’s population reported engaging in excessive drinking.⁴ From 2018 to 2020, Hillsborough county witnessed 1,044 drug overdose deaths.⁴ Currently, the United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths, with rates increasing by 137% nationwide since 2000.⁵ According to the Healthy Hillsborough Coalition, residents voted behavioral health (mental health and substance misusage) as the number one health priority to address in the county.³

According to County Health Rankings reports, access to mental health providers in the Hillsborough county area has a ratio of 510 to 1.⁴ And the proportion of primary care physicians compared to the population is 1,200 to 1.⁴

Although there are limited treatment facilities in Gibsonton, given its proximity to major cities like Tampa and Clearwater, many in surrounding regions specialize in various forms of addiction and recovery services.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) treatment locator tool, there are at least 45 addiction treatment facilities within 25 miles of Gibsonton.⁶ These facilities provide various treatment services, including:⁷

• Detoxification (or detox). Medically supervised withdrawal from substance use.
• Outpatient treatment. A rehab program that is best for people willing to attend therapy sessions while living independently.
• Hospital inpatient treatment. A 24/7 rehab program connected to a hospital for supervised care.
• Residential treatment. A facility you live in, usually for long-term periods lasting at least one month.
• Transitional housing. A temporary living space for people to stay while transitioning from an intensive treatment setting. Also known as sober living.
• Co-occurring mental health and substance use treatment. Facilities provide integrated care addressing substance misuse and mental health simultaneously.
• Telemedicine support. Additional care over the phone or online to support addiction treatment and recovery.

Area residents believe there is a need for more resources and information on available services for treatment and education on substance misusage.³ Identifying substance misuse’s social and economic influences are paramount for the community.³ Residents also agree there needs to be better access to mental health providers and community educational resources to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health treatment.³

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the principles of effective treatment is participation in group therapy and peer support programs during and following treatment to help maintain abstinence.⁸ Group therapy and peer support groups can help promote drug-free lifestyles.⁸

Although there are various forms of support groups, the most well-known are those affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).⁹ Both follow the 12-Step model that encourages members to work on their recovery.⁹

At least 7 AA local resources are available in the Gibsonton area.¹⁰ Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship program focused on helping members solve their drinking problems.¹¹ There are about 29 NA local resources close to Gibsonton.¹² Narcotics Anonymous is a community-based organization that helps members stay clean from all drugs.¹³

Sources:

1. United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Gibsonton CDP, Florida.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (n.d.).The NSDUH report metro brief.
3. Florida Health. (2020, March). Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County 2019 community health assessment.
4. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. (n.d.). Florida.
5. Rudd RA, Aleshire N, Zibbell JE, Gladden RM. (2016, January 1). Morbidity and mortality weekly report.
6. Findtreatment.gov. (n.d.). Results.
7. Findtreatment.gov. (2019, October). Treatment options.
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, January). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (Third Edition).
9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, October 1). Step by step guides to finding treatment for drug use disorders.