Florida sober living homes (and rehabilitation facilities) are regulated by a strict set of rules put forth by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCFS). These regulations ensure that sober living homes provide quality support for those seeking a new lease on life after struggling with substance abuse. In the cases where a sober living home or rehabilitation facility does not abide by these rules, they are normally shut down.
Rumors can be plentiful that these places may not be as helpful as they are meant to be. In rare cases, these rumors can be true but in most, thankfully, they are not. However, when this happens these facilities are shut down and regulations may be enforced more regularly or more firmly than before. This is what is currently occurring Florida.
Where the problems lie
Sober living houses are both extremely helpful and necessary to those in recovery. So why would a sober living home be shut down?
The answer is that the facility was not following the rules. Or, even worse, they were taking advantage of the people they promised to help.
For example, in December of 2016, the operators of several sober living homes and treatment centers were arrested for allowing clients to abuse drugs while the homes and facilities abused their insurance plans. As long as residents continued to attend meetings and submit to drug testing, they were allowed to use substances, a process which is the exact opposite of what a rehab or sober living house should be doing. These six created a fraudulent ring of treatment centers and sober living homes that ran on illegal kickbacks, paid referrals, bribing residents and patients, and incorrect procedures. All six have been arrested and charged. In response to this crackdown, some communities are updating their rules to require that sober living houses “reapply each year with the city in order to stay operational and to provide more details about their facilities.”
The need to identify and stop facilities like this is why the Florida DCFS is around. Much like the governing board of a hospital, the regulations that the DCFS provides are needed for the survival of those in recovery.
Telling the good from the bad with DCFS
Sober living home horror stories show what happens when rules and regulations are not followed. If a sober living home or rehab is certified and regulated though, the result should be a supportive and effective program or set of programs that helps those in need rather than hurting them. The DCFS’ rules set the standards for a multitude of recovery-oriented services including:
- Detoxification
- Inpatient, Residential and Outpatient treatment
- Aftercare
- Intervention
- Prevention
- Medication and Methadone Usage
- Maintenance treatment and more
The regulations and rules for licensure are publically available on the DCFS’ website. The standards put forth by the DCFS protect patients and their families from being taken advantage of. They also ensure that patients at rehabs and residents at sober living homes get the quality care and support that they need.
Comprehensive Wellness Centers: Regulated and Revolutionary
While there may still be certain places that aren’t following the rules, Comprehensive Wellness Centers remains a well-regulated and supportive facility for those in need. Our certifications are up-to-date and law-abiding and we pride ourselves on our revolutionary care and treatment approaches that emphasize responsibility and respect.
To learn more about the Comprehensive Wellness Centers and how we can help your loved one, please go here or reach out to a member of our team at (800) 844-4673.
