Riverside Recovery of Tampa is a Joint Commission and CARF-accredited, LegitScript-certified addiction treatment center founded in 2015. Riverside Recovery treats adults 18 and over for substance use disorder (SUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), benzodiazepine dependence, stimulant use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions across every level of care. The 60,000-square-foot waterfront campus in Tampa, FL serves Hillsborough County, and a second location in New Port Richey serves Pasco County. Sixteen licensed clinicians and five on-site medical providers deliver care 24 hours a day at both sites.
Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment in Tampa, FL
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment at Riverside Recovery begins with ASAM Level 3.7-certified medical detox, a physician-supervised withdrawal management program under 24-hour nursing coverage. Treatment then continues through residential and PHP levels of care.
Alcohol withdrawal carries life-threatening risks including seizures, delirium tremens and cardiovascular instability, so medical oversight is required to manage each safely. Medication-assisted treatment for AUD uses naltrexone, Vivitrol and Campral (acamprosate). AUD is the most commonly treated condition at Riverside Recovery.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is treated across the full ASAM continuum. Medication-assisted treatment for OUD uses Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Sublocade (injectable buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (injectable naltrexone). Medications are initiated during detox.
Conditions treated include fentanyl addiction, heroin use disorder, oxycodone dependence and hydrocodone misuse. Treatment continues through residential and PHP based on clinical indication. Individual therapy, group therapy, relapse prevention and dual diagnosis psychiatric care are integrated throughout.
Benzodiazepine Use Disorder & Extended Taper Protocols
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is one of the most dangerous withdrawal syndromes to manage without medical supervision. Riverside Recovery's benzodiazepine detox protocol runs 30 or more ASAM-compliant days, where most facilities use a 5-to-10-day taper.
The extended protocol prevents rebound seizures, cardiovascular instability and protracted withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepine dependence treated here includes Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Few Tampa Bay facilities manage high-acuity benzodiazepine dependence, and Riverside Recovery is one of them.
Stimulant, Illicit Drug & Other Substance Use Disorders
Riverside Recovery treats the full spectrum of substance use disorders. Every treatment plan is built on a DSM-5 diagnosis and a biopsychosocial assessment completed at intake.
Conditions treated include methamphetamine addiction, cocaine use disorder, prescription stimulant misuse, MDMA and ecstasy use, hallucinogen use, kratom dependence, barbiturate use, marijuana use disorder and polysubstance use disorders.
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders & Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment addresses a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition inside a single treatment plan at every ASAM level. Treatment begins on the first day of care.
Co-occurring conditions treated include major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD and panic disorder. Psychiatric medication management is available on site and is never deferred to a post-discharge referral. Read more about dual diagnosis treatment.
Riverside Recovery delivers the full ASAM continuum of care from a single Tampa campus. Evidence-based modalities include CBT, DBT, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Motivational Interviewing, Contingency Management and medication-assisted treatment. Explore all addiction treatment programs at Riverside Recovery.
What Distinguishes Riverside Recovery for Addiction Treatment in Tampa
Four clinical capabilities separate Riverside Recovery from other Tampa Bay providers: staffing ratio, admission acuity, benzodiazepine taper length and dual ASAM certification. Each is documented through ASAM certification, Florida state licensing or internal clinical protocol.
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1:8 Clinical Staff Ratio
Riverside Recovery maintains a 1:8 clinician-to-client ratio. The Florida state minimum is 1:15. Every client receives individualized clinical attention at every level of care.
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No BAL Cutoff for Admission
Riverside Recovery imposes no blood alcohol level threshold for inpatient admission. A client who can complete intake is admitted. High-acuity alcohol dependence cases that many facilities turn away are admitted here.
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30+ Day Benzodiazepine Taper
The ASAM-compliant benzodiazepine taper runs 30 or more days against an industry standard of 5 to 10 days. The extended protocol prevents rebound seizures and protracted withdrawal syndrome.
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ASAM 3.7 + 3.5 Dual Certification
Riverside Recovery holds both ASAM Level 3.7 and Level 3.5 certifications, covering the full inpatient acuity spectrum. Medically complex admissions that Level 3.5-only facilities cannot manage are accepted here.
Clinical Leadership at Riverside Recovery of Tampa
Medical Director Dr. Michael Sore, MD leads clinical care. Dr. Sore is ABPM board certified in addiction medicine, holds 35 years of emergency medicine experience and serves as an active IPN and PRN evaluator for Florida's professional monitoring programs.
Psychiatric oversight is provided by Dr. Ryan Wagoner, MD, Division Chief of the University of South Florida Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. Dr. Wagoner oversees USF medical fellowship rotations at Riverside Recovery, a designated USF teaching facility.
Specialized Treatment Populations
Riverside Recovery runs four dedicated treatment tracks for populations whose recovery is shaped by occupation or service history. Each track uses the same ASAM continuum with population-specific groups, privacy protocols and licensing support.
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Veterans & Active-Duty Military
Clinical staff trained in PTSD, moral injury, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma. Tricare and VA Community Care accepted. Affiliated with The Fire Watch and Military Bay, USA.
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Licensed Professionals Program
Treats physicians, licensed therapists, attorneys and other credentialed professionals. Two dedicated professional groups run each week. Dr. Sore provides IPN and PRN evaluation on site.
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Healthcare Professionals Program
A dedicated track for healthcare workers that addresses workplace pressure, licensing exposure and professional monitoring requirements alongside clinical care.
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Professional Athletes Program
Confidential treatment for professional athletes. Privacy protocols, physical and nutritional support and career accommodations are maintained throughout the stay.
Begin Addiction Treatment at Riverside Recovery in Tampa
Call the admissions team at (800) 871-5440. The team is available 24 hours a day to complete a same-day assessment, verify insurance benefits in real time and coordinate transport to the Tampa campus. The call is free and carries no obligation.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires private insurers to cover substance use disorder treatment at the same level as other medical care. Riverside Recovery is in network with most major private carriers. Approximately 80% of clients travel from within 50 to 100 miles of Tampa.
A walkthrough of the 60,000-square-foot Riverside Recovery campus on the Hillsborough River.
What Our Alumni and Referring Providers Say
Riverside Recovery holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating across 205 Google reviews. The reviews below are published as written by alumni and referring behavioral health providers.
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Rated 5 out of 5
As a referring provider, there are so many great people that make Riverside easy to trust. Riverside Recovery makes me feel confident that my clients are getting the best care and a seamless experience.
Nicole Davis, referring provider -
Rated 5 out of 5
Riverside Recovery was amazing and was there for me during probably the most difficult time in my life. Great staff and facilities with just the right amount of motivation to make me want to change myself, for myself. Thank you.
Andrew Derenthal, alumnus -
Rated 5 out of 5
Riverside saved my life and provided quality care throughout the process. I successfully completed the entire clinical program and as an alumni they provide continuous care as I continue building a life of successful sobriety.
Drake Wuertz, alumnus
Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Treatment in Tampa
What types of addiction does Riverside Recovery treat?
Riverside Recovery treats alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), benzodiazepine dependence, stimulant use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. Substances treated include alcohol, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax, Ativan, Valium and polysubstance use. Every treatment plan is built around a DSM-5 diagnosis completed at intake.
Does insurance cover addiction treatment at Riverside Recovery?
Yes, in most cases. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires private insurers to cover substance use disorder treatment at parity with other medical conditions. Riverside Recovery is in network with most major private carriers including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, Humana, Tricare, Optum and Magellan Health. Insurance is verified on the first call at no cost.
What ASAM levels of care does Riverside Recovery offer?
Riverside Recovery holds ASAM Level 3.7 (Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient) and ASAM Level 3.5 (Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential) certifications. The continuum includes medical detox, residential inpatient, PHP (Day/Night Treatment), IOP, Virtual IOP, outpatient detox and standard outpatient. Treatment level is determined by ASAM criteria, not a fixed program length.
How long does addiction treatment take?
Medical detox runs 5 to 10 days. Residential inpatient runs 30 to 90 days. PHP and IOP are delivered over weeks to months based on clinical indication. Riverside Recovery does not use fixed program lengths. Duration is set by ASAM criteria, substance, severity of dependence, co-occurring conditions and ongoing clinical assessment.
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders & Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment addresses a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition within a single unified treatment plan. Riverside Recovery treats co-occurring major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD and panic disorder alongside addiction from the first day of care. Psychiatric medication management is available on site.
Does Riverside Recovery accept same-day admissions?
Yes. Riverside Recovery accepts same-day admissions for clients who can complete the intake assessment. No blood alcohol level (BAL) cutoff is imposed for inpatient admission. The admissions team is available 24 hours a day and verifies insurance on the first call. The Hillsborough County campus is 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport.
Riverside Recovery Locations and Service Area
Riverside Recovery operates two Florida locations. The main campus sits on the Hillsborough River in Tampa, 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport, and a second location serves Pasco County from New Port Richey. Together they serve Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties and greater Central Florida.
Insurance Accepted
Riverside Recovery is in network with most major private plans. Benefits are verified in real time on the first call.
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- United Healthcare
- Humana
- Optum
- Magellan Health
- Oscar Health
- Tricare
- Health First
- EmblemHealth
- Meritain
- EHN