
Similar to the rest of the country, North Port, FL, located in Sarasota County, has experienced the negative consequences of opioid addiction, including overdoses.
Because of this, in recent years, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office began providing training to its deputies, teaching them how to respond to overdoses, especially in the case of opioids.1 Since the agency began using naloxone—a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses—Sarasota deputies have administered the medicine to 123 residents.1 In 2017 alone, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office saved 59 lives through the use of naloxone by deputies.1Â
While naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioids, there are other medications that can be used to treat addiction and withdrawal. Certain medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms during medical detox to keep the person comfortable and safe throughout the process.2 Keep in mind, some treatment centers offer medication, while others do not.



Boca is a first class facility with a very professional staff. The patient always comes first. Addiction is a serious disease and it’s treated that way at Boca.
My therapist Travis was a great help. He is very detailed with his therapy and gets to the underlying causes. He is a true professional. The groups were very structured and easy to follow. The class material helped me participate in class. The therapist were all very clear and understanding. In general, its easy to get around and they keep up the grounds really well. I enjoyed volley ball games and the talent shows they would have. They would have guest speakers come in which was great. There were evening community events like movie night and they had holiday activities with arts and crafts which was nice. I participated in the peer leader program and got to be a big brother to the newcomers and it really helped me in my recovery by seeing other people coming from different backgrounds but seeing that they have been in the same situations as me. It was easy to get to know people here and a big sense of community. Being able to connect with others is very healing. I would say that the length of time being here I could feel my brain chemistry getting better and better. As more time went on I started feeling like my normal self. I'm going to sober living and got my job lined up and I plan to take my recovery outside of here. River Oaks laid a foundation for me to be able to do all that. My case manager Stephen was a big help finding doctors in my area and getting my sober living together, making sure I have the support to be successful when I go home. I recommend River Oaks because of the care that the therapists and clinical team put into their work here.
Wide array of treatment options, some very good staff and counselors. The kitchen staff was very accommodating to my special dietary needs. They were helpful in setting up aftercare and have been good in following up with myself and family. Good techs and counselors offered a variety of treatment options to explore. Facility felt like being in a nursing home/hospital.
Selecting North Port Rehabilitation Programs
As with other areas of Florida, North Port has struggled with issues in the housing market and unemployment. However, those seeking North Port drug rehab are still able to find quality programs.
Advice on Selecting a Program
Often, rehab treatment is tailored to a patient’s needs and desires. Seeking North Port drug rehab means that you have shown awareness of your addiction, and taken steps to solve the problem. With the right tools in place, your addiction can be addressed using specific, proven intervention techniques. These can include residential treatment for intensive therapy, social services for outpatient therapy, long-term planning, and mental health referrals.
Symptoms of Addiction
Deciding if your substance use is actually an addiction can be tricky. The following are some behavioral signs that indicate you may have an addiction problem.
Communicate any signs or symptoms of addiction to your doctor or therapist when considering drug addiction interventions.
Get the Help You Need in North Port
Understanding your options for North Port drug treatment programs is the first step in making a solid plan for a sober future.
Medications exist that can help to treat a person’s addiction to opioids. In fact, research shows that the initial treatment for addictions to opioids—such as fentanyl, heroin, or prescription pain medication—should be medication combined with behavioral therapy.2 Unfortunately, less than half of all private treatment programs offer medications for opioid use disorders.3 Therefore, if you are searching for an opioid addiction treatment program, you’ll want to do your research and ask about what medications the program offers before committing to that rehab.
Methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone are all types of medications that are used to treat addiction and/or withdrawal in opioid users.2 Medication also exists to treat both nicotine and alcohol addiction. For nicotine addiction, nicotine replacement therapies like gum or patches are used. For alcohol addiction, naltrexone and disulfiram might be used.2 Presently, there are no specific treatment medications approved for those who are addicted to other types of drugs, such as stimulants or marijuana. Instead, treatment for such addictions will focus on behavioral therapy.2
In addition to managing withdrawal and treating addiction, some rehab programs are also equipped to manage co-existing mental health issues. Many individuals with substance use disorders have other mental health issues that could contribute to the addiction, such as depression or bipolar disorder. When combined with behavioral therapy and under the careful watch of medical staff, research shows that medication can be very useful in promoting a successful recovery.4
If you or your loved one is ready to take the next step toward recovery, use our nationwide rehab search tool today search for rehab programs in North Port or nearby areas.
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