UF Health Breaks Ground on New Florida Recovery Center

Already considered #1 in the state (and #6 in the country), UF Health’s Florida Recovery Center has bragging rights galore. But it’s what it does for folks who are suffering from substance abuse disorders where their real bragging should begin. Because there’s no ranking in all of America that can outshine the light FRC brings to the proceedings. None whatsoever.

The New Florida Recovery Center

The new and improved Florida Recovery Center will sit on nearly 6 acres and have more than 47,000 square feet of hope and healing.

Indeed, when UF Health broke ground at the future location of the new Florida Recovery Center campus, or FRC, in northwest Gainesville, the celebration — which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month — marked the development of an expanded, upgraded facility that can care for more patients struggling with addiction.

“We have one of the nation’s most highly recognized and distinguished programs to advance scientific discovery that leads to new treatment advances in caring for those suffering from addiction or substance use disorders,” said Steve Motew, M.D., M.H.A., FACS, president and system CEO of the UF Health clinical enterprise. “Now, with our latest plans for a new Florida Recovery Center campus, we will soon have facilities that match the clinical excellence offered by our nationally renowned UF addiction medicine specialists.”

Ranked the No. 1 addiction treatment center in Florida and No. 6 nationwide by Newsweek, the FRC is uniquely positioned as one of a handful of addiction recovery programs nationwide that is part of an academic health center. As such, it offers patients the full scope of medical care for the health concerns that can accompany addiction.

Expansion Plans

The state-of-the-art facility will expand patient beds to 138 and include 47,676 square feet of residential and therapeutic spaces in three buildings — a single-story commons building and two three-story residential buildings. The new campus will feature updated amenities, including a pool, gym, outdoor recreation area and pickleball court. An existing 18,700-square-foot administrative building will be renovated to house offices and services such as addiction evaluations, group and individual therapy, lectures and outpatient care.

“Addiction can effect anyone from any walk of life,” said Traci d’Auguste, chief operating officer of UF Health. “Since the UF Health Florida Recovery Center was founded in 1999, the University of Florida has shown they understand the complexities of the disease of addiction. This is why patients come here from all over the country, knowing that our UF Health physicians and researchers are leading experts in the field of addiction treatment.”

The new FRC facility, which will be located just off Northwest 39th Avenue near UF Health Springhill and Haven Hospice, includes modern, spacious areas filled with light, conducive to healing and recovery.

“It was our dream to be here and to have a treatment center here. It was always our dream to stand here today, and to have this dream be realized is somewhat surreal,” said Scott Teitelbaum, M.D., medical director of the FRC.

The new campus will replace the current facility in southwest Gainesville, near Williston Road on 13th Street. Construction is expected to be completed by fall of 2025.

Healing Properties

Healing Properties congratulates UF Health on the ground-breaking of its expanded Florida Recovery Center. It’s heartening to see real players step up to the plate and swing for the fences. And UF Health are indeed real players. We’re especially thrilled to see Dr. Teitelbaum in the Director’s Chair. The good doc, who also serves as the Pottash professor in psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Florida College of Medicine, as well as the vice chair of the department of psychiatry, and the chief of the division of addiction medicine, is as learned as he is experienced, and we can all rest well in his charge.

Remember if you or someone you love is seeking a reputable sober home, please give Healing Properties a call. We’ve been helping men find sobriety in Delray Beach since 2002; we’d be honored to help you too. Really. If you have more pressing issues concerning substance abuse, try SAMHSA’s National Helpline at  1-800-662-HELP (4357).