What to Look for in Your Florida Detox Center

Congratulations are in order--you’ve made the tough decision and are looking for help for your drug or alcohol addiction! The next decision should be easy, right? Well, if you’re struggling to decide where to start your drug and alcohol addiction detox, asking yourself some important questions might help.

Why a Florida Drug & Alcohol Detox Center?

If you’re not a Florida resident, you might be wondering why you’d consider drug & alcohol detox centers in Florida. So many things keep people in the cycle of addiction--who you spend time with, your home life, the media you consume, and more--however, one of the most damaging factors is your “learned environment.” Your learned environment consists of the physical environments where you satisfy your addiction--the bar where you spend happy hour, your favorite night spot, a friend’s house, or even your own home.

Detox requires removal from these environments. A change of scenery, if you will. You have the chance to make a fresh start, away from where the problems started. Not only do the addiction treatment facilities in Florida offer the same high-quality treatment plans, care, and support that other treatment centers do, you have the added bonus of the calming and healing environment of sunny Florida. Sure, Florida is beautiful, always has amazing weather, and is  teeming with gorgeous plants and white, sandy beaches. But there’s more to it than that. We tend to associate Florida with vacation, fun, relaxation, even paradise. Ok, so, no one really thinks that detox is going to be paradise, but it helps to get your mindset right when you’re ready to take the plunge and recover.

Florida also offers the perfect climate for alcohol detox and recovery, in that it puts you in the right mood. We’ve known for a long time that the weather affects our moods, but we’ve only figured out just how much it affects them relatively recently. Research has shown that the wintry months cause the onset of SAD--or Seasonal Affective Disorder--in many people. Without bright sunshine, our brains produce low levels of the sleep hormone melatonin, even during daylight hours, so that we don’t know when to get up and get going. Less sunshine can also cause us to feel depressed (due to lower levels of serotonin) and lead to a lack of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important to all overall well-being--a deficiency is associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer risk and progression. The research backs this up--while 9% of people in New England or Alaska suffer from SAD, only 1% of Floridians do.

Who’s Here to Support Me?

When you’re looking for a Florida alcohol detox center, it’s important to consider what kind of support you’re offered. What’s the staff-to-patient ratio? Do they have enough support? And not only that, but do they offer the right kind of support? What are your biggest concerns, and who will be available to help you with them? Most importantly, what are the credentials of the team members? To ensure your safety and comfort, detox should always be done under the supervision of medical professionals. That’s why you should never attempt detox at home! A good detox center will have a staff of dedicated medical professionals who are always there for you. Talk it over with your admissions coordinator to ensure that the detox center is the right one for you.

Does this Detox Center Meet My Needs?

Detox is the basis for your recovery program, so you want to be sure that your facility is providing everything that you need. Besides an experienced, compassionate, and supportive staff, a good detox center should offer programs for a variety of addictive substances, including alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines. You should be offered a personalized evaluation that considers your psychological and physical state and takes your unique needs into account. A good facility should offer help with pain management. Some offer help with the management of anxiety, depression or other conditions. Many offer medication administration and assistance, if you require medication for certain conditions. The team at the facility can help you decide which program and techniques will help you to get the most out of detox--so you’re ready for recovery.

Do I Feel Comfortable Here?

You’re bound to be a bit uncomfortable at first--when you’re settling in, figuring things out and wondering what the future holds. But where you choose to start the detox process should be a place that makes you feel comfortable, calm, and reassured. What amenities are offered? You may not necessarily need luxury lodging and amenities, but you should make sure the basics are being covered. What type of food is provided? Do you have any dietary restrictions that need to be taken into consideration? What are the rooms like? Are private rooms available, or will you be sharing your space with someone else? You’ll certainly be uncomfortable at times during the detox process. That can’t be avoided, but what you can do is find a detox center that offers relaxing amenities, an understanding and comforting staff, and all-around excellent care. Of course detox and recovery isn’t going to be easy--but nothing worth having ever is.

Am I Ready to Get My Life Back?

The single most important question you should ask yourself is “Am I ready to get my life back?” Detox is the first step to recovery--it’s the first step to taking back your life, getting back in control, and moving on. This is the question you should ask yourself above all others, because you have to really want recovery to make it work. The goods news is that that’s the hardest part. Once you’ve decided that you’re fed up with the way things are and want to change your life, you’re moving in the right direction. You just have to keep moving. And the right detox center can give you the environment, people and programs that you need to succeed. Pursuing your addiction treatment in Florida could be the beginning of the rest of your life. And just like the Sunshine State, your future looks bright.