Packages of Cocaine Continue to Wash Up on South Florida Beaches

Taking a metal detector to the beach is a popular hobby for many—the purpose is to find something valuable that was lost in the sand or washed up on the shore. But beachgoers in Florida have been stumbling upon items far more valuable (and dangerous) than misplaced watches or engagement rings: large bundles of cocaine and marijuana.

Just last month, someone contacted the police after finding 65 pounds of cocaine—worth an estimated $1.5 million—at Palm Beach. Weeks later, another package of cocaine weighing 2.5 pounds was found at nearby Founder’s Park, and a boater came upon a 62-pound sack of marijuana in the Middle Keys.

These incidents are nothing new. In fact, these finds have been happening since last summer, when someone came upon 50 pounds of cocaine in Grassy Key in July.

So far, the authorities have been unable to pinpoint the parties responsible for the drugs that keep washing up on Florida shores. Given Florida’s long history as an entry point for drug smuggling, it’s likely the drugs were jettisoned while being transported from the Caribbean or Cuba into the United States.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Florida

Cocaine is a very dangerous and addictive drug that can cause many serious health and social problems. While there are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction, there are many evidence-based methods of treatment that have been proven effective in helping someone achieve long-term sobriety.

Some of these methods include:

• Motivational interviewing, in which patients define their goals and set about achieving them.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This teaches patients to recognize and alter the negative thinking and behavioral patterns that lead them to use drugs.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). With DBT, patients learn to cope with stress, improve relationships, accept themselves, and manage their emotions.

Prolonged misuse of cocaine or other drugs can also lead a to a physical dependency, which can be difficult to break free from on one’s own. While withdrawal from cocaine is not usually life-threatening, withdrawal symptoms can be discouraging when someone is trying to quit. Medical detox can help someone withdraw safely and more comfortably.

Recovery First Treatment Center in South Florida is equipped to provide detox and rehabilitation treatment in a variety of settings, ensuring patients get the care they need to get their lives back on track. This includes medical care, treatment for any co-occurring disorders, as well as alternative therapies that many patients find helpful when employed alongside evidence-based methods. These include:

• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Spirituality group therapy
• And more.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to cocaine or other substances, please reach out to an admissions navigator at . They can answer questions about Recovery First or other American Addiction Centers’ facilities, help you with the details of your insurance coverage, and go over the options to ensure you or your loved one enters the right treatment plan.