The short answer
Check for danger first. If there is no emergency, call treatment centers directly, describe what is going on and ask whether they can assess your loved one today. Whether someone can start the same day depends on the program, the insurance and their medical needs, so it often helps to call more than one.
You don’t need a perfect plan to make the first call. An intake worker can help you work out the next step. We are a guide, not a treatment provider, so we can’t admit anyone or hold a place for you.
First, check for danger
Call 911 if your loved one
- Can’t be woken, or is breathing slowly or not at all
- Has a seizure, or is very confused or seeing things
- Has chest pain or may have overdosed
- May hurt themselves or someone else right now
Call or text 988 if
- They talk about suicide or not wanting to be here
- They are in a mental health or substance use crisis
- You are overwhelmed and need to talk to someone now
- You aren’t sure how serious it is. A counselor can help you think it through
If opioids may be involved and someone won’t wake up, give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it and call 911. See where to get free naloxone (Narcan) in Jacksonville.
Three steps for today
Work out the likely level of care
Heavy daily drinking, opioid use or sedative use often points to medical detox first. Our levels of care overview explains the rest.
Call centers directly
Use our treatment center listings. Each one shows the center’s own number. Call two or three, not just one.
Get ready to go
Gather ID, the insurance card and a list of medications. See what to pack for rehab.
What to say when you call
Intake staff take these calls every day. You don’t need the right words. You can say, “My son needs help and I don’t know where to start.” It helps to have these answers ready:
- What your loved one uses, how much and when they last used
- Any past withdrawal problems, such as seizures
- Health conditions, mental health concerns and current medications
- Their insurance, or that they don’t have any
- Whether they agree to go
What to ask
- Can you assess my loved one today? If not, when?
- Is your program licensed for this level of care?
- Are you in network with this plan, and do I need prior approval?
- What happens after detox or after this stay?
- If you can’t take them, who would you suggest?
If no one can take them today
That happens, and it doesn’t mean you did something wrong. Ask to be called if something changes, and keep calling others. If you need help finding options, you can use FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free referrals.
A hospital emergency room can treat dangerous withdrawal and medical problems, even if it isn’t a rehab. If your loved one seems unwell while you wait, go. Please don’t ask them to stop drinking or taking pills suddenly to get ready. Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines can be dangerous, so ask a doctor or the program what to do.
Be careful who you call
Some websites and hotlines send callers to whoever pays them. Be wary of anyone who won’t say which center they work for, or who offers free travel or other perks to get you to a program far away. Our page on red flags to watch for explains more. You can also look up a program’s license with our guide on how to check a rehab.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with a doctor before making any change to medications or substance use.
Detox centers near Jacksonville
Free listings, checked against Florida DCF. Sponsored listings are always labeled.
Gateway Community Services
555 Stockton St, Jacksonville
Jacksonville Outpatient Detox
8613 Old Kings Rd S, Suite 100, Jacksonville
Lakeview Health
3227 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville
Serenus Outpatient Detox
11555 Central Pkwy, Suite 202, Jacksonville
Stepping Stone Center for Recovery
1815 Corporate Square Blvd, Suite 100, Jacksonville
Tides Edge Detox Center
1597 The Greens Way, Jacksonville Beach
Questions about getting in fast
Can you go to rehab the same day you call?
Sometimes. It depends on the program, its openings, insurance and your loved one’s medical needs. Calling in the morning on a weekday can make it easier to reach intake and insurance staff, but in an emergency, don’t wait.
What if we don’t have insurance?
Call anyway, and ask about public funding or other options. Our page on rehab without insurance explains where to start.
What if my loved one changes their mind?
That is common. Stay calm and keep the door open. Our guide on how to talk to a loved one can help. If they are in real danger and refuse help, read whether you can force someone into rehab.
Should I drive them myself?
If they are calm and medically stable, that is often fine. Ask the program what it suggests. If they are very drunk, confused, violent or medically unwell, call 911 instead.
What happens when we get there?
Usually paperwork, questions and a medical check. If they are going to detox, read what happens in detox so you both know what is ahead. Our other rehab questions cover the rest.