Substance Abuse Treatment Centers in North Florida

North Florida encompasses a broad area spanning five or six counties, depending on the exact definition of North Florida,. Generally, the counties mentioned in North Florida are Baker, Duval, Nassau, St Johns, and Clay County. Sometimes Bradford and Union are included, while at other times they are included in central Florida. Jacksonville is the city that makes up most of this area.

Pain pill addiction is growing by leaps and bounds in a large part of the country, but news stories highlighted the problem in North Florida. The addiction to pain pills includes a number of different substances, but according to experts, almost always entails a stay in a drug detoxification program at a substance abuse center. North Florida has its share of treatment centers to deal with drug abuse and pain pill issues and detoxification. Some of these are listed here.

1. Stepping Stone Center for Recovery. This center, located in South Jacksonville, provides both out patient and in patient treatment. They provide detoxification programs, and are specialists in dealing with dual diagnosis,which is defined as being diagnosed with addiction and another mental illness, such as depression. This center accepts most traditional insurance plans, but not most HMO's or medicaid or medicare insurance plans.

2. Gateway Community Service Center. This facility is located in three different areas of Jacksonville. They provide in patient and out patient treatment. They also provide half way housing for individuals trying to get back into a drug free society slowly. They accept all types of insurance, including medicare. They seem to specialist in indigent cases and medicare, but are highly recognized and praised in the North Florida Community.

3. Riverpoint Behavioral Health and Drug Treatment Center. Riverpoint is located on University Boulevard on the south side of Jacksonville The center provides in patient and outpatient treatment. They accept most insurances, including HMO's,PPO's and Traditional insurance plans.

4. Wekiva Springs. This is the sister center for Riverpoint. It is located in the Riverside area of Jacksonville. Being the sister center, they provide the same services and accept the same insurances as Riverpoint.

5. Baptist Hospital. This hospital is located in downtown Jacksonville operates a small 10 bed in patient substance abuse center. They also provide mental health care and would be a great choice for a patient with dual diagnosis who needs both substance abuse and mental illness treatment. Being a hospital, they accept all insurances for emergency admits.

Pain pill addictions can be very serious. Several celebrities have been in the news that have passed away due to pain pill issues. Treatment should be sought immediately once an addiction is suspected. It is necessary to check with the insurance company of the patient to ensure treatment is covered and to verify the facilities they will cover. If insurance is not an option, do not overlook treatment. Call and see if any centers will bill or provide services at a reduced rate. Treatment is much too necessary to avoid because of a lack of finances.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?catid=3&storyid=155538
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/438311/kate-howard/2010-09-24/story-coming-weekend-pipeline-pain