Back in 2013, there were over 40,000 Texans in addiction treatment. While Texas has over 400 rehab centers, most of them are located in major towns, leaving those in rural areas stranded for treatment. Not to mention, Texans struggle with addictions like alcohol, meth, ecstasy, and heroin. Due to their proximity to large cities like Houston and Austin, many find themselves looking for Texas addiction treatment options elsewhere.
Texas Substance Abuse Statistics
Like in many other states, substance abuse cases continue to rise in Texas. The top substances abused in the state are alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana. Next, you have people also using methamphetamines, heroin, synthetic opioids, and sedatives.
- 70% of all overdoses in 2018 involved opioids.
- 47% of Texans are consumers of alcohol, yet only 25% seek help for addiction.
- 25% of patients admitted to substance abuse treatment cited cocaine as their primary drug of choice.
- 46% of total marijuana users were under the age of 17.
Addiction Treatment Services in Texas
Most Texas addiction services are available through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and their mental health and substance abuse division. The department offers need-based addiction treatment services for Texans who can’t afford to pay for rehab. Overall, they offer access to inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and behavioral therapy.
However, addiction services are subject to availability, and it can be challenging to get access. Some individuals receive priority in placement, including pregnant women, men and women who use intravenous drugs, and anyone referred by the Department of Family and Protective Services (PDFS). They also offer treatment services reserved for teenagers aged 13-17.
Drug Courts
Like other states, Texas also counts with drug courts to offer nonviolent drug offenders a chance to help addiction. This program aims to reduce the rates of recidivism among nonviolent drug offenders. Judges listen to someone’s case and determine if the addicted person is likely to respond to treatment. Those who receive treatment through court orders are closely monitored, receive mandatory drug tests, and complete multiple treatment sessions a week.
A study by the Criminal Justice Policy Council found that those who didn’t work through a drug court order were seven times more likely to reoffend. In Texas, similar studies yield comparable results.
Tips for Choosing the Right Rehab Program in Texas
Finding the right rehab program in Texas is about doing your due diligence. Unfortunately, some addiction treatment centers only offer cookie-cutter solutions that don’t address the root of the addiction. Below are some things to look for and consider when choosing a rehab facility.
Accreditations
First of all, make sure the rehab center in Texas you’re looking at has all the proper accreditations. Simultaneously, looking at the licenses and accreditations for their therapist is also essential. Check with the current state requirements as far as licensing and accreditations go to ensure the rehab center you’re considering follows them.
Evidence-based Approaches
While alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and more can benefit the healing process, they cannot treat addiction alone. Look for treatments using evidence-based approaches that focus on behavioral therapy, medication treatment, and other treatment methods. Choosing evidence-based treatment also helps ensure your insurance policy will cover at least some of the treatment.
Payment Options
Some addiction treatment options in Texas are publically-funded, state-funded, or operated by not-for-profit corporations. However, many treatment centers also accept private, state, and federal insurance.
Furthermore, you can always ask about their payment options as some centers may offer payment arrangements, rehab scholarships, and more. A reliable addiction treatment center will help you find a way to fund your treatment. The idea is to make help accessible and look past the money.
Length
Stay clear from any treatment center that promises a cure for addiction over a weekend or a week. Drug addiction recovery is often a long-term process that incorporates different types of therapy.
Length of treatment can be anywhere from 30 days for short-term recovery programs, 90-days for longer treatments, and over 180 days for long-term treatment programs. A high-quality treatment center will not force you to fit into a specific timeline. Instead, they’ll work with you to help you find the best route. This also includes helping you choose between an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment center.
TexasTreatment Options to Consider
In reality, there isn’t a single path to addiction recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan incorporates various therapies and approaches that help someone understand their addiction and also address any co-occurring disorders.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs
Most drug and alcohol addiction recovery journeys start with detox. Because many of these substances cause physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, it’s paramount to have medical assistance and support to do so with comfort. Choosing to detox at a treatment facility also prevents relapse.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Those who stop alcohol or opioids may need a medication-assisted program to start their rehab journey. Various FDA-approved medications help reduce cravings and lessen the dependence on these highly addictive drugs. However, keep in mind that MAT alone isn’t enough to treat addiction. It still needs to be paired with supportive services and therapy to help the recovery process.
Personalized Behavioral Therapy
Substance abuse treatment incorporates individual therapy and group therapy sessions throughout the treatment. Both use a combination of various behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Other treatments include motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), and different behavioral therapy forms that address addiction’s many variables.
Dual Diagnosis Programs
Finally, most people with a substance abuse problem also have a co-occurring mental health condition. Anxiety, depression, psychosis, and personality disorders all co-occur with substance abuse. Dual diagnosis programs treat these conditions simultaneously to promote a better and prolonged recovery.
Should I Travel Outside of Texas for Addiction Treatment?
There’s no doubt that Texas offers plenty of resources for addicts and their families looking for help. However, sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. For anyone who’s currently living in a toxic environment prone to abuse, substance misuse, and other triggers, going away for treatment may help.
Research shows that a change of scenery can also provide a clean slate for people; benefits include:
- Creating a distance between you and triggers or bad influences
- Preventing you from going home or leaving against medical advice
- Offering the space to focus solely on your health and wellbeing
- Delivering better chances for long-term recovery and sobriety
In our Boynton Beach drug rehab center, we receive people from every city in Texas and across the country. We also receive individuals seeking addiction treatment from cities like Houston, Odessa, and Austin, which are among the most drug-addicted towns in Texas.
Finding Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please know that there’s help available. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we receive patients from all over Texas all the time. We work with your health insurance provider to help find out what they will cover. Our addiction specialists will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the core of your addiction. If you need help finding addiction treatment, contact us today to start the process.
