Substance Use Treatment in Florida
Same-day visits are often possible
See us in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida. We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and most major insurance plans. Se habla español.
Substance use disorder is when alcohol, a prescription medicine or a street drug starts causing problems with your health, work, school or family, and cutting back is harder than it should be. It used to be called substance abuse. It’s a medical condition, and it’s treatable.
We treat opioid and alcohol use disorder as outpatients at our Fort Lauderdale office and by video anywhere in Florida. We also treat the depression, anxiety, ADHD or trauma that often comes with it, all in one place.
Signs of a Substance Use Problem
- Using more than you meant to, or not being able to cut down
- Strong cravings
- Needing more to get the same effect
- Withdrawal when you stop
- Keeping on despite problems at home, work or school
- Using in risky situations
- Hiding how much you use, or using alone
It can range from mild to severe. Young people can move from trying something to having a real problem faster than adults.
Opioid Use Disorder
Medicines are the core of opioid treatment. Buprenorphine eases withdrawal and cravings without a high. Naltrexone blocks opioids and helps prevent relapse once you’ve been off them for at least 7 to 10 days. For a full overview of the care we offer, see addiction treatment for alcohol, opioids and stimulants.
- Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone): daily film or tablet. You can start by video, and DEA rules require an in-person visit too
- Sublocade: monthly buprenorphine shot given in our office
- Brixadi: weekly or monthly buprenorphine shot given in our office
- Vivitrol: monthly naltrexone shot given in our office
Read more about medication-assisted treatment (MAT). If you’re pregnant, we prescribe buprenorphine and offer care during pregnancy.
Alcohol Use Disorder
We prescribe all three FDA-approved medicines for alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, which cuts cravings, acamprosate, which helps you stay off alcohol after quitting, and disulfiram, which makes you sick if you drink. None of them is addictive. Naltrexone also comes as the monthly Vivitrol shot. Medicine works best together with counseling, and your provider will talk through what fits.
Treating Mental Health at the Same Time
Many people with a substance problem also live with depression, anxiety, ADHD or PTSD. Treating both together tends to work better than treating one and hoping the other improves. Your provider looks at the whole picture, including how medicines for each condition fit together safely.
Counseling and Support
Counseling helps you spot triggers, handle cravings and rebuild routines. We offer therapy, though openings depend on our therapists’ schedules. Support groups and family counseling help too.
We’re an outpatient practice. If you need a higher level of care, like inpatient detox or a residential program, your provider will tell you.
How to Get Started
1. Ask for an appointment
Call (754) 270-6322 or request an appointment online. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and same-day visits are often possible.
2. We call you back
Our staff check your insurance, send your intake packet and confirm the time of your visit and whether it’s in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video.
3. Your first visit
Your provider goes over your symptoms, history, past treatment and current medications, then talks through a plan with you. Be honest about what you use and how much. It stays private, and it helps your provider keep you safe.
Common Questions
Do you prescribe Suboxone by telehealth?
Yes. Florida patients can start Suboxone by video when the provider decides it’s appropriate. Under DEA regulations, an in-person visit is also needed, and our staff will schedule it with you.
Do you offer methadone?
No. Instead, we treat opioid use disorder with Suboxone and other medication-assisted treatment, including Sublocade, Brixadi and Vivitrol.
Can I get help for alcohol?
Yes. We treat alcohol use disorder with medicine and counseling, and we screen for depression and anxiety too.
Do you treat teens?
We see patients from age 6. For teens, a parent or guardian is part of care, and your provider decides which treatments are appropriate for their age.
Is my treatment private?
Yes. Your records are protected by privacy law, and we don’t share them without your permission except where the law requires it.
Insurance and Cost
We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Optum, and we have sliding-scale rates if you’re paying yourself. We check your coverage before the visit. The price of the medication itself depends on your pharmacy and plan. More on insurance.
We see patients from age 6, and same-day visits are often possible. Several of our providers and staff speak Spanish. Request an appointment or call (754) 270-6322.
Who You’ll See
Your care is with our team of physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. Visits are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Urdu, Hindi and Hebrew. You can meet our providers before you book, and our staff can help you choose someone who’s a good fit.
Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DOPsychiatrist
Dr. Murtaza Ali, DOAddiction specialist and family physician
Dr. Heather Brathwaite, PhD, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner
Michelle KovalPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Russian and Hebrew
Neal Fouke, PAPsychiatric physician assistant
Muhammad Nawaz, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Urdu and HindiWe aren’t an emergency service. If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DO, psychiatrist, on October 6, 2026.
Sources: MedlinePlus: Substance Use Disorder; MedlinePlus: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment; MedlinePlus: Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Request an Appointment
Tell us how to reach you. Our team calls back the same business day, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Your appointment is confirmed once staff call you to set the time and place.
Prefer to talk to someone? Call (754) 270-6322.
Our Office
3015 N Ocean Blvd, Ste C101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: (754) 270-6322. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Video visits are available anywhere in Florida. Directions and parking.