Wellington, an upper-class village located in the heart of Palm Beach County, is widely known for its equestrian community, and is home to many horse-related events, such as various popular polo tournaments. The village is populated mostly by families, and the poverty level is extremely low in comparison to many other regions of Florida. However, despite its well put-together exterior, the truth behind closed Wellington doors is that drug abuse and distribution is just as significant an issue as in far more poverty-stricken areas of Southern Florida.

In July 2012 a drug bust operation, lasting over a year and a half and resulting in a total of 64 arrests, took place in Wellington and revolved around the trafficking and distribution of mass amounts of cocaine. The bust was labeled “Operation Wild West”, and was fronted by the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s office as well as the DEA. This seizure and mass arrest opened the eyes of unwitting Wellington citizens to the seriousness of the illicit drug problem in their immediate area, and lead to several other drug busts later down the line. 13 out of 30 students arrested in Palm Beach County for selling marijuana to classmates and charged as adults came from the Wellington region. And recently, several members of the Wellington police force have been accused of trafficking and selling cocaine.

As in many other wealthy communities along the coast of Florida, cocaine and prescription medication tend to be the leading causes in drug abuse and addiction in Wellington. The abuse of prescription medication poses more of an issue simply because of its accessibility to the young adults in the community. Painkillers are easily attainable – many adolescents resort to searching medicine cabinets, handbags, and dashboards, and have even been known to steal prescription medication from elderly relatives and neighbors. Of course, the adult community also struggles with addiction to prescription drugs, and acquiring their preferred anesthetic has become increasingly trouble-free with the continued establishment of local pain management clinics, or “pill mills”.

The affluent community of Wellington is also no stranger to alcoholism, and is host to innumerable Alcoholics Anonymous meetings each day. The increasing demand for treatment based on the mounting readiness of cocaine, prescription medication, and other addictive substances has peaked the attention of local authority officials, and in response to skyrocketing numbers of local individuals battling substance dependence, the implementation of addiction treatment centers has been extensive.

Wellington currently houses nearly ten reputable treatment centers, and offers varying types of addiction support additionally. Many of the rehabilitation facilities propound long-term, residential inpatient treatment – which typically lasts from one to three months, but can potentially last up to six. In recent years, what has become nationally known as the Florida Model has executed and recommended by many industry professionals. This specific model geared towards long-term sobriety suggests a carefully phased assimilation back into society – with addicts beginning in residential treatment and eventually transitioning into a local halfway house. This approach to recovery has been proven significantly more effective than short-term residential treatment with no cohesive aftercare plan – in fact, relapse rates drop considerably when the model is adhered to.

Luckily for Wellington residents, all phases of recovery are available in their immediate area.

Drug rehabs within Wellington