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University of Florida Health University of Florida
Florida Recovery Center
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my loved one need an inpatient or partial hospitalization level of care? Isn’t outpatient treatment good enough?

Every treatment plan is based on the individual’s needs. There are several factors that our physicians consider when determining level of care. Some of these factors include the severity of the addiction, risk for withdrawal, physical and emotional status, relapse potential without structured treatment, family or social support and safety of living environment. All clinical decisions are based off of ASAM criteria. Every person who seeks help at the UF Health Florida Recovery Center receives a complete assessment to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan.

How long does my loved one need to be in treatment?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, individuals progress through addiction treatment at various rates. However, research shows that good outcomes are contingent on adequate treatment lengths. At UF Health Florida Recovery Center, each patient has an individual treatment plan. Generally, for outpatient treatment programs, longer participation yields better results. People who participate in treatment for short periods of time often do not achieve the high recovery rates seen in their counterparts who stay in treatment longer and may be more likely to need additional treatment in the future. Often, you will hear people talk about 30, 60 and 90 day treatment. However, addiction is a chronic disease, like diabetes or hypertension, so formal treatment marks the beginning of a lifelong process of disease management. At the UF Health Florida Recovery Center, each patient has an individual treatment plan. Our team of experts will work with you and your loved one to determine the best plan of care to jump start the recovery journey.

How are family members included in the treatment process?

Family involvement is highly encouraged and expected in a patient’s treatment episode both in the Partial Hospitalization Program and the Intensive Outpatient Program. Addiction is considered a family disease and impacts the family as much as the individual in treatment. Family involvement will depend on who our clinical team is authorized to contact based on who the patient included on their signed release of information. It is a patient’s right to have confidentiality and sign releases as they determine. If you have not received communication or communication is limited, this could be the result of your loved one in treatment not including permissions to disclose their health information to you. Family members will be contacted within the first 24 hours of a patient’s PHP admission by their therapist. The primary therapist will then schedule family sessions and invite you to the Family Workshop when clinically appropriate. Families who are not located near the facility have the ability to participate in HIPAA compliant virtual sessions for family therapy.

The Intensive Outpatient Program includes a Multi-Family Therapy Group as part of regular programming every Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Family members are invited and expected to participate in these weekly group sessions. Additionally, patients and their families in the program are also invited to participate in the Family Workshop when determined clinically appropriate.

How do you manage medical/health issues aside from addiction issues?

One of the biggest benefits of treatment at UF Health Florida Recovery Center is access to specialized medical care from faculty physicians at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Only a few miles from the FRC campus, nearly 1,000 doctors practice in a wide range of medical specialties at UF Health Shands Hospital, which includes a Level 1 trauma center and several affiliated outpatient practices. Our addiction medicine doctors and psychiatrists work closely with them and make appropriate referrals to them for various medical conditions as necessary.

What is a typical day in the PHP program like?

Individuals participate in the partial hospitalization program at UF Health Florida Recovery Center seven days a week. Process groups with a Masters level therapist are held every day, and are focused on helping you practice new skills in dealing with fellow patients in an emotionally heightened environment. You learn to support each other, be honest with your feedback and constructive criticism, and identify and resist enabling behaviors. Participants in the program also go to 12-step meetings, engage in recreational therapy and attend various lectures or psycho-educational groups. Additionally, each participant will be assigned certain groups that are related to whichever treatment track they are on (Read more about our treatment tracks). Our physicians, who practice within the academic medical setting at UF Health, also offer medical lectures specific to the disease of addiction and the science of recovery. We also include time for our participants to run regular off-site errands to places such as the gym, the grocery store, the pharmacy, etc. The schedule maintains a balance of highly structured time while introducing downtime in which patients learn how to manage their downtime for leisure, self-care and assignments.

Can I visit my loved one?

Visitation at the UF Health Psychiatric Unit is Thursday 7-9 p.m.; Saturday 3-5 p.m.; and Sunday 2-5 p.m. Please understand that children under the age of 14 are not allowed to visit in the medical detox unit. For patients living on campus participating in the Partial Hospitalization Program, regular visitation is scheduled for friends, family and loved ones every weekend. Women are permitted to have visitors on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m., and men are permitted visitors on Sundays from 2-4 p.m. All visitors must be included on your loved one’s release of information to protect their privacy. During the first week of treatment, we encourage patients to turn inward and focus on themselves, and therefore request no visitation for the first seven days. Our experience shows that your loved one is able to be most invested in the program when distractions are limited.

If patients bring their vehicle on campus, they will be required to provide documentation of good standing and park in a designated area. Driving privileges are granted through the course of treatment, and they must follow the guidelines outlined in our patient handbook.

Does my loved one need a car while at the UF Health Florida Recovery Center?

Transportation will be provided for all patient treatment needs. Examples include church on Sunday mornings, grocery shopping, recreational activity/outing, doctor’s appointments or pharmacy runs. If patients have a vehicle on campus, they must follow the guidelines outlined in order to drive offsite.

What should my loved one pack to enter treatment?

Bring:

  • Enough clothes for 7-10 days. You will have structured time on the schedule to use our washers and dryers as part of the community housing amenities. Bring something warm to wear and layer over your clothes. Some of the group rooms are cool.
  • Comfortable shoes for walking, as well as clothes and shoes appropriate for the gym.
  • Hair dryers, electric razors, shampoo, deodorant, hair spray and other health and beauty aids (without alcohol) should be brought.
  • If you have a favorite pillow or comforter, please remember to bring it. The beds are twin size. If you require earplugs as a light sleeper, please bring those, too. Towels and sheets are provided.
  • Bring an umbrella because you will be walking outside to get to different program areas.
  • Bring any medications that you are currently taking in their original containers.
  • If you choose to bring your cell phone and Apple Watch (or equivalent), it will be safely locked in your locker for your first 7 days of treatment while you are in orientation phase. Please bring headphones/earbuds with you.
  • If you bring your laptop, tablet or iPod with you, the treatment team will review your access to these electronics on a case-by-case basis.
  • Patients should leave valuables like jewelry and special keepsakes at home.
  • Therapeutic self-care items like a journal, coloring book, spiritual reading, daily meditation, pictures of family.
  • Email addresses of anyone in your support system that will be engaged in your treatment.

What are the financial expectations through the program?

Patients must keep their accounts current for out-of-pocket and housing costs throughout their treatment. These costs can vary based on individual insurance coverage and authorization status. Please be aware that insurance does not cover housing costs (housing is not available for IOP).

We request that any remaining deductibles and housing costs be paid upon admission and maintained throughout your treatment. Patients may designate any individuals or parties they wish for our business office to coordinate with regarding payment by including them in their financial release of information.

We accept payments in cash, checks, or credit cards. For specific questions about benefits, coverage, or your financial responsibilities, please contact our business office at 352-265-8702.