Overview

The Florida Department of Children and Families provides treatment for substance abuse through a community-based provider system that offers detoxification, treatment and recovery support for adolescents and adults affected by substance misuse, abuse or dependence.

• Detoxification Services: Detoxification focuses on the elimination of substance use. Specifically, detoxification services utilize medical and clinical procedures to assist individuals and adults as they withdraw from the physiological and psychological effects of substance abuse. Detoxification may occur in either a residential or outpatient setting, depending on the needs of the individual.
• Treatment Services: Treatment services include a wide array of assessment, counseling, case management, and support provided in residential and non-residential (outpatient) settings. Treatment services are designed to help individuals and their families who have lost their abilities to control the substance use on their own and require formal, structured intervention and support. Services include various levels of residential, outpatient, and recovery support based on the severity of the addiction. Research indicates that persons who successfully complete substance abuse treatment have better post-treatment outcomes related to future abstinence, reduced use, less involvement in the criminal justice system, reduced involvement in the child-protective system, employment, increased earnings, and better health.
• Recovery Support: Recovery Support is offered during and following treatment to further assist individuals in their development of the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain their recovery. These services include transitional housing, life skills training, parenting skills, and peer-based individual and group counseling.

Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research shows that when treating substance-use disorders, a combination of medication and behavioral therapies is most successful. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is clinically driven with a focus on individualized patient care.

The opioid brief guide

Clinical Use of Extended-Release Injectable Naltrexone in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Brief Guide - highlights information on the use of extended-release injectable naltrexone for the treatment of opioid use disorder along with other MAT options, including assessment and monitoring.

The alcohol brief guide

Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Brief Guide - summarizes information on the four medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of alcohol use disorder and discusses screening and patient assessment, treatment planning and monitoring.

Recovery Residence Administrators and Recovery Residences

Pursuant to section 397.4871, F.S., and section 397.487, F.S., the Florida Department of Children and Families shall approve at least one credentialing entity for the purpose of developing and administering a voluntary certification program for recovery residence administrators and residences.