In a state known for lots of alcohol, Floridians are looking for ways to quit drinking

Michelle Spitzer, Florida Today
·2 min read

Florida is known for spring break parties, mimosas at brunch, cocktails on the beach and… sobriety?

Apparently, residents in the Sunshine State want to kick alcohol to the curb. At least that's what a new study found. Floridians took the top spot in online searches of how to cut an alcohol addiction, and the results were resounding.

The findings are based on state-by-state Google search data analyzed by wellness experts at Happy Go Leafy.

What does the study say about Florida and sobriety?

The Empress Martini is among the cocktails served at Vine & Olive in Titusville.
The Empress Martini is among the cocktails served at Vine & Olive in Titusville.

Here’s what the wellness experts had to say about Florida:

Florida, the birthplace of the vibrant and exotic drinking hotspot Miami Beach, ranks first in the study with an average total of 631 monthly searches per 100,000 people. To put that into perspective, residents of Florida are searching for terms related to sobriety 194% more than those who live in Idaho, which ranked bottom out of all 50 states. The most searched term in Florida is 'Alcoholics Anonymous,' which has a total monthly search volume of 101,875.

What did the study examine to show Florida is in the top spot?

The study looked at the search volume in each state for various terms related to sobriety, alcohol addiction, and rehabilitation. Some of the search terms included: “aa near me,” “quit drinking” “rehab” and “give up alcohol.”

Data was analyzed over a 12-month period.

What other states ranked in the top 10?

The alcohol-free NoJito at Crush XI in downtown Melbourne is a refreshing mix of berries and mint.
The alcohol-free NoJito at Crush XI in downtown Melbourne is a refreshing mix of berries and mint.

  • Arizona

  • Texas

  • North Carolina

  • Massachusetts

  • Illinois

  • Delaware

  • New York

  • Nevada

  • Colorado

Spring break in Florida

The study comes out as spring break vacations are starting in Florida.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis told USA TODAY the city is "embracing" spring break, welcoming tourists to enjoy the entertainment, beaches and restaurants.

A bit farther south Miami Beach officials have a different outlook, issuing a statement that the city is r “breaking up with spring break.”

"We're breaking up with spring break," the Miami Beach website states. "Expect curfews, security searches and bag checks at beach access points, early beach entrance closures, DUI checkpoints, bumper-to-bumper traffic, road closures and arrests for drug possession and violence."

Rules regarding alcohol on beaches vary throughout the state, and law enforcement are especially vigilant during spring break in many area.

Spitzer can be reached at mspitzer@floridadatoy.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Sobriety is big search topic in Florida despite lots of alcohol