Lakeland, FL Detox and Rehab Centers

Behavioral health disorders, which includes substance use disorders and mental illnesses, are the top health concern in Polk County, Florida, which is home to the city of Lakeland.¹

In 2019, results from a Polk County community health survey showed more than 63% of local residents felt that drug abuse was a problem in their community.² Alcohol and opioid misuse are especially problematic. In 2016, an estimated 12.2% of Polk County adults reported that they engaged regularly in heavy alcohol use and binge drinking.² In 2018, there were 188 drug overdose deaths in Polk County—36% of which were caused by opioids like heroin and oxycodone.²

From 2019 to 2020, the number of drug overdose deaths in Polk County increased by 39% from 140 to 195.³ According to the director of specialty services of an addiction treatment center in Lakeland, a high number of local patients in recovery relapsed near the beginning of 2020 when COVID-related closures led to the shutdown of drug and alcohol support group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).³ Fortunately, Lakeland is one of several cities in Polk County that will receive extra funding over the next 17 years to address its ongoing opioid crisis.⁴

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and lives in Lakeland, please know there are many nearby drug and alcohol rehab centers that can help.

Access to health services is currently one of the top 3 health priority concerns for Polk County.² Fortunately, there are many addiction treatment centers located in and around Lakeland, including 2 dedicated opioid treatment programs (OTPs).⁵ Lakeland will also soon be home to a new, large 3-building inpatient and outpatient behavioral health center that will provide 96 beds to local residents with substance abuse and mental health disorders.⁶

There are currently 14 behavioral health treatment centers in Lakeland that offer substance abuse and mental health services.⁷ This represents 66% of all behavioral health facilities in Polk County.⁷ In addition to its 2 OTPs, Lakeland has 26 buprenorphine practitioners who are licensed to prescribe this medication to those in recovery from opioid use disorder.⁷ This represents 70% of all buprenorphine doctors in Polk County.⁷

People in Lakeland who are interested in seeking addiction treatment can also explore their treatment options in neighboring cities of Tampa or Orlando, which are roughly 36 miles and 60 miles away, respectively.

AA, NA, and Cocaine Anonymous are some of the many self-help support groups for addiction that can help people stay engaged with their recovery.⁸ Peer support groups like AA and NA can provide ongoing communal support and encouragement to those in recovery from substance use disorders.⁸

Lakeland is home to dozens of in-person and virtual AA and NA meetings that take place 7 days a week at different times of the day. A complete list of AA meetings can be found on the Heartland Intergroup AA website, while a complete list of NA meetings can be found on the Heartland Area of NA website.^{9, 10} AA and NA meetings are free to attend, and require no obligation.

Sources:

1. Central Florida Development Council. (2020, September 18). The Health of Polk: Mental Health.
2. Florida Department of Health in Polk County. (2020, May). 2020 Polk County Community Health Assessment.
3. Lee, R. (2021, August 11). Overdose deaths in Polk County were up in 2020. Specialists don’t see it getting better.
4. Wyatt, D. (2021, December 1). After national settlement, Polk County to receive $17 million to address opioid crisis.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Opioid Treatment Program Directory.
6. Central Florida Development Council. (2019, December 2). New Behavioral Health Center Will Benefit Polk County in Many Ways.
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Find a Facility.
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). What about 12-step programs—Do they work?
9. Heartland Intergroup. (n.d.). Meetings.
10. Heartland Area of Narcotics Anonymous. (2022). Meeting Search.