Your pleas have been answered – your husband has finally decided to seek treatment for his alcohol use. Or maybe your son is ready to leave his cocaine use behind and needs your help finding a place to go. No matter the reason, your job now is to find a place that will address all of their needs and work with them on their goals. You have heard about the great recovery communities in Florida and decided to start there. But, how do you choose the best inpatient treatment center in Florida?
In 2022, 3.5 million people in the United States over age 12 were receiving inpatient treatment for substance use disorders. In Florida, over 45,000 residents were enrolled in a substance use disorder treatment facility in 2020. Tranquil Shores understands the need for inpatient treatment in our Sunshine state, and offers a full program with long-term treatment options available. We keep our client-to-therapist ratio low – at 3:1 – ensuring all of our clients get the individual attention they deserve. How do loved ones go about choosing an inpatient treatment? What sets different facilities apart? And why should they choose Florida?
How to Choose an Inpatient Treatment Center in Florida
When choosing an inpatient treatment center in Florida, there are factors that you will need to decide on. Some questions you will want to ask yourself include: do they take your insurance? Is the care affordable if not? Do they have specific programs you are looking for? For example, maybe the person you are looking to get into treatment loves to run. Finding a program that offers activities that include physical activity will be more beneficial for them. Or perhaps they are focused on art and need creative outlets to express themselves. While most inpatient treatment centers will have the same basic therapies, finding those that offer the extras will be important for the person you are getting the help for.
Is Inpatient Treatment in Florida Right for You?
How do you know if you or a loved one need inpatient treatment? Inpatient treatment is defined as staying at a facility 24/7, providing a structured schedule and surveillance. This type of structure is beneficial for those who need extra support and guidance to begin their recovery process. Having a place to stay and meals provided is a great stress relief for those who are homeless or between housing options. The goal of inpatient treatment is to start recovery with intensity by learning different therapy strategies and diving into the root causes of your substance use disorder. Also, if you are worried about a return to use if you are able to go home after treatment, inpatient will be a good place to begin.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Inpatient Treatment Center
We mentioned some questions you may need to ask yourself when considering an inpatient treatment, but there are other considerations to think about with different facilities and locations. Here are some other factors to consider when choosing an inpatient treatment center.
Accreditation and Staff Credentials
In Florida, all facilities offering substance use disorder services must be licensed. These are regulated and governed by Chapter 397, F.S., and Chapter 65D-30, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Specific criteria must be met in order to receive proper licensure to provide inpatient treatment services among other substance use services. Different agencies can provide credentials in Florida including the Florida Certification Board, Certified Recovery Residence Administrator (CRRA), and the Florida Association of Recovery Residences.
Accreditation comes from a third-party evaluation, and ensures that the facility is providing the best care at the highest standards. The purpose is to bring in an unbiased agency that will give an honest review of the facility and provide or deny the accreditation. In Florida, the following agencies provide this service:
- Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
- Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- Council on Accreditation
When it comes to staff credentials, facilities can have a variety of different education levels. Certain facilities may have therapists at the bachelor’s degree level, while others will have master’s level clinicians. Psychiatrists and medical doctors may have different schedules depending on each inpatient program, meaning some may only visit patients once per month while others are there on a weekly basis. Although it is required to have licensed staff for substance use disorder treatment, these levels vary widely and can affect the quality of treatment provided.
Therapies and Programs Offered
Therapies and program offerings can vary between each inpatient treatment. There are common therapies that almost every program offers, somewhat common therapies offered, and unique therapies and programs only a select few facilities offer. The chart below shows some examples of what these entail.
| Common Therapies/Programs | Somewhat Common Therapies/Programs | Unique Therapies/Programs |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) | Family therapy | Career-specific programming |
| Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) | Wellness education | Holistic/alternative therapies |
| Group therapy | Experiential therapy | Resolution therapies |
The unique therapies are what make the difference when choosing an inpatient treatment. Someone who has past trauma will benefit from a facility that offers a form of resolution therapy. Those who want a more holistic approach to care would do well with alternative offerings such as yoga or meditation. The goal of these therapies is to develop healthy habits and routines while attending inpatient treatment so they can continue in recovery.
Aftercare and Long-Term Treatment Options
Inpatient treatment does not last forever and continuing care is always the next step. Finding a facility that also offers outpatient services, aftercare, and long-term treatment options can help keep the person familiar with a single place. Moving from inpatient care to outpatient can cause anxiety or fear, and already having a care team at the same facility can help with the ease of the transition. Moving around from place to place between different facilities poses the risk of records not being transferred, possibly leading to medications not being refilled on time. This puts added stress on the person in treatment, and can possibly trigger a return to use early in recovery.
Other Factors to Consider
One other factor to consider when choosing an inpatient treatment is the location. Florida is a beautiful and peaceful place to begin recovery, but some areas may have more appeal than others. Is the facility within driving range for family to visit or are there close accommodations if flying in? Families will have to consider this as they will be a large part of the recovery process.
Another factor with location is recovery community support. Tampa is one of the largest and most active recovery communities in Florida, and being at a facility close to the area guarantees support will be easy to find. Certain areas in Southern Florida do boast recovery, but there are also some facilities that are a part of the Florida Shuffle – known for facilities accepting clients for insurance profits without offering treatment or care. Always research every aspect of a facility before sending a loved one to them, including a tour of the facility and meetings with therapists and doctors.
Florida Inpatient Treatment and Insurance: How to Pay for Care
Most inpatient treatment is covered in some way by commercial insurance. Some facilities are in-network with providers and a large part of treatment is covered. For those that are out-of-network, some services may cost more after treatment is completed. There is always the option to pay for inpatient care upfront, allowing you to decide exactly what therapies you want and how long you want to stay in care. Insurance can be beneficial, but out-of-pocket care allows the facility to offer more.
Inpatient Treatment at Tranquil Shores in Pinellas County, FL
Inpatient treatment provides many benefits and is a great first step for those looking to begin their recovery. At Tranquil Shores, we offer a serene beach environment, unique therapies including accelerated resolution therapy and alternative healing, and career-specific programs that address the specific needs of athletes, executives, artists, and many more. We allow our clients to keep their electronic devices and continue working while in our care. Together, our compassionate and dedicated team is here to provide you with the highest quality inpatient treatment in Florida.
Located in Madeira Beach, Florida, Tranquil Shores has helped many find their success in recovery. Call us today at 727-391-7001 to get started with the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
