Resources
Local meetings, crisis lines, and community help — plus clear guides on how sober living works, for people considering a home and the families who love them.
Plain-language answers for anyone weighing sober living.
How recovery residences work, who they are for, and what to expect.
Read MoreThe real differences between these two commonly confused options.
Read MoreWhat shapes the price of a recovery residence, and what is included.
Read MoreIf you or someone you love is in crisis, reach out immediately. These lines are free, confidential, and open 24/7.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text, 24/7
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA National Helpline — free, confidential treatment referrals
Peace River Center
Polk County's mobile crisis & behavioral-health response
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, then press 1
Twelve-step meetings are the backbone of the local recovery community. Each area runs its own "intergroup" office with a help hotline and an up-to-date meeting list. Here's where to find meetings across Polk County.
Heartland Intergroup — serving Polk, Highlands & Hardee counties; office at 1035 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland. Helpline (863) 687-9275 · meeting list
Find any AA meeting — aa.org/find-aa
Heartland Area of NA — Narcotics Anonymous across Polk County. Helpline (863) 683-0630 · meeting list
Florida Region NA — statewide finder at naflorida.org · Virtual NA — online meetings
New to meetings? We'll help you find a newcomer-friendly meeting near the home and get you there.
Recovery means rebuilding a whole life — work, housing, health, and connection. These local resources help residents get back on their feet.
CareerSource Polk offers free job-search help, training, and hiring events. Lakeland Career Center: 309 N. Ingraham Ave. Veterans receive priority service.
Citrus Connection runs Lakeland and Polk County's bus system — a reliable way to reach work, meetings, and outpatient care.
Talbot House Ministries (814 N. Kentucky Ave, Lakeland) provides free daily meals, a Friday food pantry, free medical and dental care, and clothing assistance.
Polk State College offers affordable degrees and workforce certificates in Lakeland and Winter Haven — a strong path to a new career in recovery.
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon offer free support groups for the families and friends of people in recovery.
The Polk County Health Department and local clinics offer low-cost care. For treatment referrals, the SAMHSA Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) is free and confidential.
It can be hard to know when substance use has crossed a line. A few honest questions to sit with: Have you tried to cut back and couldn't? Do you keep using despite problems at work, home, or with your health? Do you need more to get the same effect, or feel sick when you stop? Has someone who loves you told you they're worried?
If any of these ring true, it may be time to talk to someone. This isn't a diagnosis — but you don't have to figure it out alone. The free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) can point you toward treatment, and we're always glad to talk through your options with no pressure.
If you still have questions after reading, reach out — a real person will help.