About
About Chemical Addictions Recovery Effort
Chemical Addictions Recovery Effort, Inc. – known locally as CARE – is a Panama City non-profit dedicated to prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support for substance use disorders. The agency is CARF accredited, licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. CARE’s service area covers six Panhandle counties: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington.
The service line is intentionally broad so a single agency can support a client at every stage. Medical Detox Services manage withdrawal under clinical supervision. Residential Services provide structured 24-hour care for clients who need to leave their daily environment. Outpatient Services and Medication-Assisted Treatment support clients who can remain in the community while in care, while DUI Services serve court-ordered drivers who need education and intervention. Prevention Services and Care Coordination round out the continuum, and family members are explicitly included because addiction is treated as a family disease.
Funding comes from a mix of sources, including the Florida Department of Children and Families, Medicaid, local agencies, patient fees on a sliding scale, contracted work with community partners, and donations. The model lets CARE keep services accessible to people who would otherwise fall through the cracks, including the uninsured, court-ordered clients, pregnant women, and Panhandle residents living far from larger metropolitan treatment options.
CARE integrates evidence-based co-occurring disorder treatment with active involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other peer support communities. Staff are trained to evaluate individuals and families, build personalized treatment plans, and coordinate with community providers. The combination of clinical licensure, public-health funding, and a family-inclusive philosophy makes CARE a foundational behavioral health resource for Florida’s Panhandle.
- CARF accreditation ensuring quality medical detox and withdrawal management standards
- Serves six counties in northwest Florida with comprehensive inpatient detox services
- Specializes in veterans and pregnant women requiring medically supervised detox
- Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders during medical detox process
- Non-profit facility offering sliding scale payments for detox programs