What recovery looks like in Miami—and how to get help

Real people, real progress: inside Miami’s recovery journey and the local resources ready to walk with you

Miami’s heartbeat isn’t just the bass from Calle Ocho festivals or the hum of traffic along Biscayne—it’s the quiet courage of neighbors who choose hope every day. Recovery isn’t a straight shot; it’s a journey of small wins, tough days, and steady support. During National Recovery Month and beyond, Greater Miami is showing what recovery really looks like: compassion in action, resources within reach, and a community that refuses to give up on its own.

Recovery, up close: progress over perfection

Recovery is deeply personal. For some, it’s learning to manage cravings. For others, it’s rebuilding trust at the dinner table, landing a steady job, or simply waking up and deciding to keep going. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—and that’s okay. In fact, it’s normal.

Care Resource, a trusted community health center with sites in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, sees this every day. Recovery might look like someone showing up for a first counseling session, a peer support specialist walking beside a client, or a community member picking up Narcan to help save a life. In 2024, SAMHSA reported that 74.3% of adults who perceived they had a problem with alcohol or drug use considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered—a reminder that treatment works and recovery is real.

As Thomas Smith, Chief Behavioral Health Services Officer, puts it:

“Recovery varies from person to person, reflecting individual experiences and needs. We value meeting individuals where they are at and walking alongside them with a variety of treatment options. Recovery is not a destination. It is an individualized lifelong journey.”

That’s the Miami way—meeting people where they are, honoring their pace, and cheering every step forward.

Where help meets hope: your Miami resource guide

If you or someone you love is ready to start—or restart—this journey, here are accessible ways to plug in today:

• Talk to someone you trust. A friend, family member, faith leader, or peer can help you take that first step.
• Reach out to professionals. Care Resource offers medical and behavioral health services tailored to your needs.
• Join a support group. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous provide safe spaces to share, listen, and grow.
• Explore therapy. Licensed counselors help unpack root causes and build coping strategies you can use in daily life.
• Visit The SPOT (Broward County). This mobile clinic provides syringe exchange services, Narcan, and compassionate care.

Care Resource services include:

• Behavioral health counseling
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Peer support
• Risk reduction tools
• Mobile outreach through The SPOT

How to get help—right now

• Care Resource Main Line: 305-576-1234
• Visit a health center in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, or Fort Lauderdale
• The SPOT (Broward County): 954-566-SPOT (7768)
• Media inquiries: Jonathan Welsh, Director of Marketing & Communications — jwelsh@careresource.org

What recovery looks like—in our words

Picture a woman standing on the Rickenbacker at sunrise, arms raised, eyes on the horizon. That’s the image of “Real Progress, Real Support.” It’s not an overnight change—it’s everyday courage. It’s a neighbor who chooses counseling over isolation, a dad who shows up to a meeting, a friend who carries Narcan, a clinician who listens without judgment. This is Greater Miami at its best: culturally rich, bilingual, and deeply connected—un pueblo que cuida de su gente.

Why support matters

No one should have to walk this road alone. The difference between feeling stuck and feeling supported can be a single conversation, a warm clinic welcome, or a peer who says, “I’ve been there.” When Miami shows up, people heal. Families reconnect. Futures open up.

Small Steps, Big Impact

• Celebrate small wins—days, weeks, and months add up.
• Keep your circle close—text checks, cafecito chats, and honest talks matter.
• Use what’s offered—counseling, groups, and mobile outreach exist for you.
• Remember: you’re not starting from zero; you’re starting from experience.

Quick Start Checklist

• Call 305-576-1234 to ask about counseling, MAT, or peer support.
• If you’re in Broward County, call 954-566-SPOT (7768) for The SPOT’s services.
• Look up a nearby AA or NA meeting and try one this week.
• Tell one trusted person you’re ready to take a step.
• Put a reminder on your phone: Progress, not perfection.

Miami thrives when our neighbors do. If you’re on the fence about reaching out, consider this your sign: help is here, hope is real, and you’re not alone. Let’s keep telling these stories and connecting people to care.

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Juntos, Miami—one step at a time.