Like most states in the country, Florida has a significant drug problem, especially in light of the recent opioid crisis that’s increased overdose death rates in the last few years. Florida has 1,350 miles of coastline dotted with major coastal cities. The state sees an abundance of shipping importance from all over the world, which makes it a popular destination for illicit drug trafficking into the U.S. From these ports, drugs move through interior counties like Sumter and then to the rest of the country.

Opioid abuse poses the clearest threat with thousands of overdose deaths per year. But other substances like cocaine, meth, and prescription drugs also have a high abuse potential and can lead to overdose. Addressing the problem of drug abuse and addiction requires access to effective drug rehab. Learn more about drug rehab in Sumter County and the scope of drug abuse in Florida and the United States.

Sumter County Drug Rehab Statistics

In 2017, prescription drug providers wrote 60.9 opioid prescriptions for every 100 people. That means there were enough opioid prescriptions written for more than half of the state. When opioids are taken as prescribed, they usually don’t cause significant side effects. However, with such an excess of pills, it increases the availability of the opioid for people that would abuse them. Plus, with an influx of illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl, people who are addicted have a cheap and viable illicit source to turn to if pills become too hard to obtain. According to a 2016 report from Florida medical examiners, heroin was involved in 1,023 deaths, and fentanyl was involved in 1,644 deaths.

Other substances like stimulants and depressants also pose a threat. Alcohol abuse, addiction, and related health problems continue to be a problem in Sumter and Florida. Only 7.8 percent of Sumter County residents reported alcohol binging in 2010, which is lower than the state average of 15 percent. However, alcohol use is a factor in obesity and heart-related deaths in the county. 

Most Commonly Abused Substances in Sumter County

Opioids are a common problem all over the country. But other substances are also common in Sumter and the rest of the state. Alcohol was involved in the most deaths in the state in 2016, especially since it is often involved in overdose deaths where it’s mixed with other substances like opioids and benzodiazepines. Other common drugs include amphetamines, meth, cocaine, benzodiazepines, inhalants, and cannabis. 

Florida’s Drug Rehab History and Rankings

Florida has a history as a popular destination for drug rehab. Through the 20th century, drug rehabs opened up in the state to offer comfortable temperatures and year-round sunshine for people seeking addiction treatment.

Shady clinics offered narcotic pills to people with limited oversight. These pills were bought in large quantities and sold all over the country. Florida legislation and law enforcement have since cracked down on these clinics to elevate treatment standards in the state. 

Quick Treatment Facts

Drug rehab treatment plans should be personalized to be effective. Addiction can come with a variety of causes and consequences that need to be addressed. People also respond to different forms of treatment. The best treatment plan would need to be tailored to your needs, and it should be reassessed each week during treatment.