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A look at the Most Commonly Abused Drugs in Florida

Commonly Abused Drugs in Florida

“Florida drug-induced deaths exceed the national rate.” –CDC

The veil of normalcy dissolves when drug use turns into drug addiction and abuse. In 2007, nearly 2,936 people in Florida died as a direct consequence of drug use. Family members and close friends may begin to worry about changes in behavior, demeanor, appearance and performance, leading to an intervention if they’re lucky. Unfortunately, often times no such support system exists for addicts, and fatality is not uncommon.

Prevalence of Drug Use in Florida

The most commonly abused drugs in Florida are marijuana, opioids, prescription drugs, cocaine and heroin, respectively. Below are some statistics on drug use trends in Florida from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that reveal national and state-level data:

  • 8% of Florida residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month. The national average was 8.02%.
  • 5% of Florida residents reported using an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past month. The national average was 3.58%.
  • Meth lab seizures in Florida have risen 148% from 2007 to 2009.
  • According to recent Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data, one in three motor vehicle fatalities (33%) with known drug test results tested positive for drugs in 2009.

Signs of Substance Abuse

Addiction and abuse can happen to anyone. If you know someone with the following behaviors and tell-tale signs, revealing a drug problem, seek help from a doctor or a mental health professional before it’s too late.

  • Drugs and/or alcohol become more important than the need to eat and sleep.
  • Hobbies, socialization and personal likes become disinteresting.
  • Lying increases.
  • Hurting people (emotionally or physically) is uncontrollable.
  • Theft becomes a trend.

Tackling Treatment

The fight to reduce substance abuse is nothing new, but when acquiring drugs as well as achieving successful recovery have become more convenient than ever, one must choose his or her path. Advantage Mental Health Center is a good place to start if you or a loved one are considering treatment options.

For individuals addicted to alcohol, AMHC offers both an outpatient medically assisted detoxification treatment as well as the 12-step program alongside group/individual counseling. The detoxification treatment technique uses medications to counteract and manage discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.

For individuals addicted to prescription drugs or opioids, AMHC can provide FDA-approved discreet medication treatment, such as buprenorphine, which lessens symptoms of cravings and withdrawals. Buprenorphine, as opposed to methadone, is not a daily dose, and can be effectively managed in an outpatient program.

Because addiction is a complex condition, involving mental, emotional and physical side effects, one-on-one counseling, group therapy or a mix of the two is essential to rerouting the negative mindset back toward hope. Don’t let past demons determine the future you deserve, seek help today by clicking here to schedule your appointment.