Located in scenic and sunny South Florida, the city of Miami is an ideal place to start your recovery from alcoholism. The numerous treatment facilities in Miami and surrounding areas offer a wide range of alcohol treatment programs, such as medical detox, residential rehab, and outpatient programming.
According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), over 14 million American adults suffer from alcoholism, yet many go without getting the help they need. If you or somebody you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, below are local resources that can help you start your journey toward recovery today!
Miami-Specific Alcohol Use Stats
Miami’s diverse population and sunny weather have earned it a reputation for party culture and nightlife. With party culture comes alcohol and drug addiction. Indeed, Miami has seen rising rates of binge drinking amongst all age groups, as well as rapidly rising rates of individuals seeking alcohol addiction treatment.
- Between 2013 and 2014, Miami households spent an average of $375 on alcoholic beverages. This was higher than the average in the South ($362) but lower than the national average ($454).1
- Between 2012 and 2014, 19% of Miami-Dade County residents age 12 and older reported past-month binge drinking. 2
- In 2015, 63% of public high school students in Miami-Dade County reported having consumed alcohol at least once.
- During 2012 and 2014, an estimated 5% of Miami-Dade and Monroe County residents aged 12 and older were classified as having an alcohol use disorder based on survey results. 2
- Between 2012 and 2016, the number of treatment admissions for alcohol addiction skyrocketed in the Miami area from around 2,500 to just over 8,500.2
- In 2016, 67% of those who sought alcohol addiction treatment in the Miami area were male. Ages ranged to 3% under 18 years old, 29% between the ages of 18 and 34, and 68% at 35 years of age and older.2
- In 2018, 59 arrests per 100,000 population were made in Miami-Dade County for driving under the influence.3
- According to a 2016 study, Hispanic youth were 1.62 times more likely to have drugs and alcohol in their systems at the time of committing suicide than non-Hispanic youth in Miami-Dade County.4
What is Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
If you suspect that you or someone you care about has an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism), it may be time to seek professional help. No matter how serious the problem seems, people can recover from alcoholism and live happier, more productive lives. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that alcohol addiction treatment can be very effective, with research showing “that about 1/3 of people who are treated for alcohol problems have no further symptoms 1 year later.”
Effective treatment may involve medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, therapy through a rehabilitation program to understand the addiction and change behaviors, and long-term aftercare programming such as peer support groups to help maintain sobriety and avoid relapse. Learn more about alcohol addiction treatment here.
Finding Treatment in Miami and South Florida
South Florida has long been considered an ideal place for alcohol rehab. The tropical climate and sunny weather have led to a variety of alcohol rehab centers in the area. With population centers like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port St. Lucie dotting the coast, locals will have easy access to various kinds of alcohol addiction treatment.
Due to the climate, many people from out-of-state may seek to travel to South Florida for treatment. Traveling for alcohol rehab is more common than you might think. Removing yourself from your usual environment can be an efficient way to distance yourself from stressors and bad influences. And, in the age of the Internet, finding treatment is as easy as typing in a zip code and pressing “enter.”