Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressant medications mainly prescribed to treat anxiety or insomnia on a short-term basis. However, they are one of the most regularly abused and illegally sold drugs in Miami-Dade County, where Sweetwater is located.
Benzos, as they are sometimes called, include the popular alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium). Both of these medicines are found sold on the street, via suspicious social media pages, and on the “dark web” through fake pharmacies.
Florida, along with its many counties, continues to grapple with substance abuse and addiction. These two issues have become a public health problem that does not seem to dissipate. Drug use, and particularly benzodiazepine addiction, has been a top concern for officials, including those responsible for recording deaths and overdose deaths, whether by choice or accident.
Statewide, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission reported 374 individuals who died from a benzo overdose in 2019.
- Alprazolam (Xanax) – 365 deaths were caused by using the drug in combination with other drugs, namely fentanyl, cocaine, and morphine.
- Diazepam (Valium) – 49 deaths were caused by using the medication in combination with other drugs.
The manner of death for those who lost their life from benzos:
- Alprazolam – 650 or 78% died an accidental death using this drug
- Diazepam – 131 or 70.1% died an accidental death using this drug
These data relay a tragic and often-occurring story that is breaking hearts across the nation and in Florida.
Locally, there were slightly more than 100 overdose deaths from benzos from 2011 to 2015 in the county. Benzodiazepine nonfatal hospital overdose poisoning cases totaling 1,047 exceeded those for either heroin at 759 or prescription opioids at 508 in the three counties of southeastern Florida during the first half of 2016.
The club-going crowd in Miami-Dade County may be seen as hip, cool, and risk-taking. This medical study of 18- to 29-year-olds that visit Miami’s clubs revealed startling information about how these youth abuse benzos. The shocking news from this study was that the youth involved admitted to polydrug use, which is using a benzo in combination with other drugs. Other substances taken with benzos included other psychoactive drugs to increase the effects or to come down from the effects of stimulant abuse. The study also found that the prevalence of benzo-related problems was 12.6% for dependence, 21.1% for benzo abuse, and 24.2% for both abuse and/or dependence.
Benzodiazepine addiction and abuse are not to be taken lightly. Fake Xanax and Valium pills can be laced with the very powerful fentanyl or the often fatal carfentanil. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently issued a safety alert on the dangers of buying and using benzodiazepines from street dealers or other nefarious pill pushers. Their safety alert titled “One Pill Can Kill” relays exactly what you need to know about buying and taking benzos from unknown sources.
Sweetwater is a short drive to Family Recovery Specialists in South Miami, where you can take the first steps to end benzodiazepine addiction. We specialize in treating adolescents and also provide substance use treatment for adults.
Family Recovery Specialists Drug Rehab in Sweetwater
Benzodiazepine addiction can be challenging to overcome, but it is treatable. Drug rehab in Sweetwater is a very short drive to Sunset, where Family Recovery Specialists is located. Here, you will find caring medical and addiction professionals within an accredited and licensed campus. Our center is the perfect place to continue drug rehab for benzo addiction.
Drug rehab begins with a comprehensive assessment, which will determine what your most urgent needs are and will outline the levels of treatment you will need. If it is found that you need to detox from benzos, you will most likely be recommended to one of our sister facilities in the Tri-County area. It may also be suggested that you attend inpatient treatment at the facilities. Family Recovery Specialists is part of the Delphi Behavioral Health Group network of mental health and substance use treatment centers. Once that is complete, it may be suggested that you be admitted into the programs below.
Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization (PHP) at our center is considered an outpatient level of drug rehab. Programs that fall under PHP must meet specific conditions, including:
- Must be available at least five days per week
- Might include weekends, evenings, and half-days
- Provide diagnostic and treatment services
- Include intensive therapies that address the underlying causes of addiction
- Include therapies or alternative therapies that work on problem areas, mental health disorders, and other issues that contribute to addiction
- Provide healthy methods and strategies to cope with the causes of addiction
PHP is best suited for you if you have already been through detox and have no other health complications as a result of benzo addiction or polysubstance abuse (using two or more drugs at once). If you are beginning PHP, you will attend intensive therapy sessions but will be able to go home at the end of the day’s sessions. If you live in or near Sweetwater and have been recommended for PHP, we offer scientifically proven behavioral therapies, along with outpatient telemedicine, should you need it.
Intensive Outpatient
Intensive outpatient (IOP) at Family Recovery Specialists is the highest level of outpatient treatment in drug rehab. You should expect nine hours of therapy three to five days per week. Therapy sessions usually will run between one and two hours each. IOP is as effective for substance use treatment as inpatient treatment.
IOP also provides assistance for any medical or psychological issues that may arise. It is considered a step-down level of care from inpatient treatment or a step-up level if you need more intensive therapy to maintain sobriety, as defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
IOP conducted on our campus will entail individual, group, and family therapies. It may also consist of educational sessions, life skills coaching, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. We also provide gendered groups and outpatient telemedicine.
This type of drug rehab treatment may be a good option for adolescents who refuse to go to school after inpatient treatment is completed or if the individual is severely depressed or has behavioral problems that cannot be addressed in outpatient care. We are quite experienced in treating adolescents needing intensive drug rehab treatment.
Aftercare
We at Family Recovery Specialists understand there will be obstacles and challenges for you when benzodiazepine drug rehab ends and you are on your own. This is why we developed our aftercare program, which offers a strong network of support for you. You will also have the opportunity to ask for any assistance in seeking someplace else to live or if you need to work. One of the greatest benefits of our aftercare program is knowing you have a group of friends who know what you’ve been through and are safe to spend time with. We encourage you to explore what aftercare offers and take advantage of it.
Benzodiazepine Rehab in Sweetwater FAQ
No doubt, there are sure to be questions after reading all of the above-provided information. We expect there to be questions and are offering answers to the questions we hear all the time. If there is anything else you need to know that is not covered here, feel free to reach out to us. We’re more than happy to help.
How long is rehab?
Your time in rehab depends on your unique needs. Outpatient levels of care, which we provide, can last for several weeks or longer depending on your progress and what you feel you need. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, and it may take more than a few weeks to work through all of the concerns and conditions that contributed to your addiction. Most often, your treatment plan will detail what treatment types you’ll need and how long you will be in rehab.
How much does drug rehab cost?
The cost of drug rehab is one of the main barriers to seeking treatment. Many people do not go to drug rehab because they think it will be too expensive. The reality is that there are affordable treatment options. Our knowledgeable staff can answer any questions about the cost and work with you to find solutions.
What insurance carriers does Family Recovery Specialists take?
Currently, we take Beacon and Cigna. We also accept most of the major insurance provider plans under the ACA and TRICARE. Unfortunately, we do not take federally funded plans like Medicaid and Medicare. If you have health insurance, spend time reviewing what your plan covers, any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance, because this helps determine what you will have to pay out of pocket.
