ABOUT DRUG ABUSE COMPREHENSIVE COORDINATING OFFICE – DACCO
The Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office (DACCO) in Tampa, Fla. is one of the largest community-based providers of behavioral health treatment in the state. Working for “a drug-free community; one person, one family at a time,” DACCO offers a full continuum of treatment programs for adults and teens that include gender-specific residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) services.
DACCO also has a designated unit for medication-assisted, physician-supervised detoxification and provides accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing upon request.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
All prospective clients undergo an initial, approximately 90-minute long evaluation to determine an appropriate level of care.
Clients in need of stabilization and treatment that is structured and immersive may be recommended for DACCO’s gender-specific residential program. Outpatient options, including a full day treatment program and an IOP track, are available for those not requiring the structure and round-the-clock support that comes along with an inpatient setting. DACCO also runs specialty programs for mothers of young children, pregnant women, and those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
Treatment programs combine the principles of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with evidence-based practices and education. Throughout their treatment stay, ranging widely from three to eight months, clients receive one-on-one counseling, attend group therapy sessions, and adhere to random drug screenings. Following initial stabilization and intensive programming, residents also benefit from vocational training, GED prep, and other specialized services designed to facilitate their successful community reentry.
When appropriate, DACCO provides medication-assisted therapy (like methadone and Suboxone), and addresses psychiatric troubles through its on-site mental health clinic. As family involvement is encouraged, DACCO also holds family group sessions and visitation hours on a weekly basis. Aftercare programming includes referral to DACCO’s alumni association as well as ongoing group therapy sessions.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
DACCO is a CARF-accredited organization that employs a multidisciplinary staff with experience, certifications, and qualifications in the fields of mental health and addiction. Led by a medical director, the facility’s staff includes board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners, case managers, as well as licensed mental health counselors and certified addiction professionals.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
DACCO offers separate accommodations for men and women. Located on the main campus, the 88-bed women’s facility offers dorm-like bedrooms with shared bathrooms, inside and outside lounging areas, a group dining hall, and laundry facilities. A separate duplex is available for pregnant women and mothers of small children.
The nearby 132-bed facility for men features four large dorm areas with shared bathrooms, a dining hall, an on-site gym, game room, and basketball courts.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com revealed a wide range of perspectives regarding the program and its accommodations. On average, eight alumni shared ratings of 4.13 stars out of five for both the facility’s cleanliness and the program affordability, 3.63 stars for the staff’s level of training and experience, and 3.25 stars for both the exercise and leisure opportunities and the counseling options.
Although some alumni differed in opinion on the effectiveness of treatment, many agreed in that the staff were a program strength. “Everyone is supportive and helps you stay clean,” a former client of the outpatient client wrote. “They changed my life.” Referring to her entry into DACCO as the “best thing” she’s ever done, former client Lori felt that being admitted sooner “would have shaved years off [her] drug addicted, unproductive life-style.”
Others, in contrast, described the counseling as “terrible” and even compared the program to “going through the mill.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Much like alumni, friends and family also provided polarized opinions. Collectively, eight loved ones gave DACCO average ratings of 4.13 stars for both the staff’s level of training and experience and family participation, 3.88 stars for its counseling options, and 3.38 stars for its exercise and leisure opportunities.
“Staff was very supportive to the patient and their families,” an anonymous loved one wrote. Then again, they also felt that the program itself was “not really up to date on their treatment methods.” Another called the staff “dedicated” and noted its ability to provide “excellent support.”
One reviewer felt that staff “did not care half as much as they should have” while others questioned the long-term effectiveness of programming. Admitting that DACCO had “lots of good programs,” another Best-rehabs.com reviewer added that they knew of “many people who have relapsed within days of coming out.”
FINANCING
DACCO accepts Florida Medicaid and private insurance plans like Aetna, Humana, BlueCross BlueShield, and United Behavioral Health.