Opioid Treatment and MAT in Daytona Beach, FL

The opioid crisis in Volusia County is finally moving in a better direction, but the drugs behind it are more lethal than they were a decade ago. Fentanyl is now the leading substance in local overdose deaths, and someone who uses opioids - whether from a prescription that ran out or from the street - needs treatment that includes medication, not just counseling. Medication for opioid use disorder is the single most effective tool available, and it is covered locally more often than people assume.

Fentanyl in the local data

The Florida Medical Examiners Commission 2024 Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons report shows fentanyl as the leading drug in Florida deaths statewide: present in 3,667 deaths and the cause in 3,224. In District 7, which covers Daytona Beach and Volusia County, fentanyl was present in 164 deaths and caused 156 of them.

The Volusia County medical examiner reported 229 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2024, down from 303 in 2023 and from a peak of 400 in 2021, with fentanyl present in about 67% of those deaths. The county's downward trend mirrors a statewide decline, but 229 deaths is still 229 families, and fentanyl remains the most common drug involved.

If someone is unresponsive, has pinpoint pupils, or is breathing slowly or not at all, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose and will not harm someone who is not overdosing. Florida is among the states that issue standing orders allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription, and free kits are available through Florida Department of Health county offices.

How medication for opioid use disorder works

Medication for opioid use disorder - sometimes called MAT or MOUD - combines one of three FDA-approved medications with counseling. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

• Methadone is a full opioid agonist dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs; it relieves withdrawal and cravings.
• Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that can be prescribed and taken at home, reducing cravings and withdrawal.
• Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors so opioids stop producing a high; it is started only after opioids have cleared the body.

People treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or have an overdose than people who receive no medication for opioid use disorder. This is why a program that offers only abstinent counseling, without medication, is usually not the best first call for someone at high overdose risk.

Opioid treatment around Daytona Beach

Within 30 miles of downtown Daytona Beach (ZIP 32114), the SAMHSA locator lists:

• 30 substance use treatment facilities total
• 4 offering detoxification (withdrawal management)
• 7 with residential programs
• 25 offering outpatient services

Not every facility prescribes buprenorphine or has a certified opioid treatment program for methadone, so ask directly: Does this program offer methadone on site, or buprenorphine through an office-based prescriber? How soon can I be seen? Because entering treatment quickly matters more for opioids than almost any other substance, ask whether same-week or walk-in assessment is possible.

Crisis lines and support

• A suspected overdose - call 911 and give naloxone.
• 988 - call or text, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• LSF Health Systems - the Florida DCF Managing Entity for Volusia County and 22 other counties, coordinating publicly funded assessment and placement.

Votran, the Volusia County bus system, provides public transit across the county, which matters if you will be attending an opioid treatment program daily for methadone.

Paying for opioid treatment in Daytona Beach

Florida Medicaid (AHCA) covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plans, including medications for opioid use disorder and medically managed withdrawal. Florida has not expanded Medicaid, so many working-age adults do not qualify. If you are uninsured, ask LSF Health Systems about state-funded slots - Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and public providers may offer sliding-fee care. Private plans and Marketplace coverage must cover substance use care under federal parity rules; confirm network status before you commit.

How to start today

1. If someone is overdosing, call 911 now and give naloxone. For a crisis, call or text 988.
2. Call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist, or use this form:

Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.

3. Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 32114 and filter for "medication-assisted treatment" or "buprenorphine."
4. Ask a program how soon they can start buprenorphine - many can begin within days.

Opioid use disorder is treatable, and Volusia County has more capacity than it did a few years ago. Starting medication is the fastest proven way to lower the risk of dying.

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above.

Frequently asked questions