Detox Centers in Lehigh Acres, FL

Located in Lee County, Lehigh Acres, FL is not only one of the largest residential communities in the county, but also one of the largest in the state.¹ Like many areas across the country, the residents of Lehigh Acres are impacted by drug and alcohol addiction. Substance use disorders have been shown to lead to long-term issues in a community ranging from housing instability to an increase in criminal activity and the spread of infectious diseases.²

Between 2016–2018, Lee County reported a mortality rate from diseases linked to alcohol addiction above the state and national average.³ Additionally, almost 28% of the area’s adults reportedly drink to excess.³  This is a significant increase from previously reported results.³

The trend is similar when it comes to drug-related deaths in Lee County, which includes Lehigh Acres. Numbers are well above the state and U.S. averages and have been on the rise.³ A reported 6.4% of Lee County adults have admitted to using an illegal drug in the past month, and almost 17% of residents reported using a prescription opioid drug in the past year, which beats the national average.³

Reports from 2021 showed that the number of people in the area addicted to fentanyl, a synthetic drug similar to (but stronger than) morphine, grew that year.⁴ According to local doctors, this was leading to an increase in the number of overdose deaths caused by fentanyl.⁴

There are several treatment centers available in Lehigh Acres and the surrounding area for those seeking help with their drug or alcohol use. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), there are 17 facilities within 25 miles of Lehigh Acres that offer substance use treatment.⁵ Statewide, Florida has more than 700 drug rehab facilities available.⁶

People who live in Lehigh Acres have access to several support groups designed to help them address their substance use. Support groups allow people who are dealing with common issues, such as drug or alcohol addiction, to share their experiences. Attendees can offer support and encouragement to the rest of the group and receive that same support and encouragement in return.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) both offer support groups in Lehigh Acres that meet on various days and times.

The Lee County Intergroup of AA offers support groups at 2 locations in Lehigh Acres.⁷ Both locations have meeting times that vary throughout the week. Those locations are:

• Rule 62, 5513 8th St. W
• Faith Lutheran Church, 705 Leeland Heights Blvd. E

NA also offers a support group at Faith Lutheran Church in Lehigh Acres Mondays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m.⁸

Sources:

1. Lee County, Florida. (2022). Lehigh Acres.
2. Daley, D. C. (2013). Family and social aspects of substance use disorders and treatment. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, Volume 21(4), 73-76.
3. Lee Health & Florida Department of Health in Lee County (2020). Community Health Needs Assessment.
4. Barrett, Z. (2021, November 28). Fentanyl floods SWFL streets as number of patients addicted rises.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.) gov.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services.
7. Lee County Area Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous.
8. Narcotics Anonymous. NA meeting search.