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B R E A K I N G T H E C Y C L E :

OVERCOMING ALCOHOL CHALLENGES IN COLLIER COUNTY

A glass of wine at lunch. A This challenge is becoming more David Lawrence Centers for
cocktail while watching the evident among our older residents, Behavioral Health addresses alcohol
sunset. A nightcap after an who moved here to retire in what challenges in Collier County, offering
feels like a perpetual vacation but
evening out with friends. now face difficulties due to unhealthy comprehensive recovery programs.

In Collier County, social drinking is habits. According to the 2024 Senior They provide detoxification and
intensive outpatient programs to
deeply embedded in our culture. It Report from America’s Health support individuals with substance
can be a way of celebration or Rankings, over 9% of senior citizens use disorders. Through individualized
solace. However, for an increasing in Florida are classified as excessive and group therapy, they help
number of people, the prevalent drinkers, compared to 7.7% individuals manage withdrawal and
social drinking scene in our nationwide. Excessive drinking is make positive changes. The
community either leads to or defined as consuming more than four organization is expanding its services
exacerbates personal struggles with drinks in a day or over eight drinks through the Hope for Collier
substance use. per week for women, and more than initiative to reach more community
five drinks in a day or over 15 drinks
per week for men. members in need. Their commitment
is to promote healthy habits and
At the David Lawrence Centers for ensure a thriving community.
Behavioral Health (DLC), we have
witnessed a rise in individuals seeking
treatment or support services for
alcohol misuse. In the fiscal year
2024, we assisted over 1,600
individuals, including many seniors,
through various recovery-focused
programs. This marks an increase
from the 1,455 individuals served the
previous year.

The reliance on alcohol brings about
numerous detrimental health effects,
DLC provides an adult detox program within
its Crossroads services for individuals with particularly for our elderly population, David Lawrence Centers for
who are already vulnerable to Behavioral Health CEO Scott
substance use disorders, focusing on
alcohol. The 14-bed unit supports safe depression, anxiety, and other mental
withdrawal management in the recovery Burgess
process. health issues.
Life in Naples