In worst cases, police are called to investigate thefts, assaults and suicidal behaviors. Neighbors complain about noise, loitering and speeding cars. And addicts get kicked out after arguing with landlords or relapsing. Marc Woods of Delray Beach, where at least seven sober houses are operating. The addicts often bring with them criminal records for drunken driving, drug possession and petty thefts.
Some sober houses receive county and federal money to provide short-term housing for addicts.
And like any business, you'll have bottom feeders and sleazy people who want to make a quick buck. It's not possible to know exactly how many sober houses exist. Addicts and property owners estimate that more than 100 are operating unobtrusively in neighborhoods. But what is clear is that the number of such homes is burgeoning, as more and more of the nation's 5 million drug addicts and alcoholics choose to rehabilitate themselves in South Florida. During the past 10 years, the number of Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meetings in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade has surged to 2,100 from about 1,000.