A Guide to Addiction Treatment and Drug Rehab in Texas

Although addiction may appear hopeless, it is not. Countless individuals have left an addiction treatment facility prepared to begin a new journey in life. If you seek help, you can get better and start a new chapter. Fortunately, there are many trusted substance abuse treatment facilities in Texas for those battling drug and alcohol addiction. In a treatment facility, medical and behavioral specialists tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs, and you will recover in the company of peers who share similar problems.

Drug Use in Texas

Texas DEA field offices report methamphetamine as the top drug threat in the state. In recent years, the use of both meth and cocaine has been on the rise in several major metro areas, including Dallas, Houston, and El Paso.

In addition to the problem of meth and cocaine use, the opioid epidemic and related rise in heroin use have also had a significant impact on Texans. The number of deaths related to synthetic opioids and other narcotics has been on the rise since 1999. Fortunately, however, the state has experienced a recent drop in narcotics-related deaths, which many credits to the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program and other overdose prevention programs. In response to the opioid epidemic, the state has launched additional drug outreach and treatment programs, including medication-assisted programs that include the use of drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine.

Whether it’s you or a loved one who needs help with substance use disorder, you can find many Texas treatment providers available to assist with addiction to meth, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, or prescription drugs such as oxycodone and Xanax. Each year, thousands of Texans seek treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, and many go on to attain long-term sobriety. To help you make the right treatment decision, the following covers what types of rehabs are available in the state and what you can expect during treatment.

Types of Addiction Treated in Texas

Different people are addicted to different types of drugs. Regardless of the kind of addiction you are struggling with, you can get help from a Texas treatment program. Some of the most popular treatment programs offered include the following.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs

Alcohol addiction is treated in various ways. One of the most popular approaches is through detox programs. When you undergo a detox program from an alcohol addiction center in Texas, they will assist in alleviating the uncomfortable detox withdrawal symptoms, which typically last for anywhere from one to seven days. Detox cleanses the body from all traces of alcohol and is usually the first step on the road to recovery. Alcohol addiction can also be treated using other approaches, such as the 12-step recovery program offered by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Heroin Addiction Treatment Programs

Heroin, like morphine, codeine, and opium, is derived from the poppy plant. It can be smoked, snorted, or injected, but its effects are immediate and severe regardless of how it is taken. While heroin is the most often abused illegal opiate, the use of legal opioids has also reached pandemic proportions.

Opioids are prescription pain medications made from synthetic compounds that lessen the strength of pain signals reaching the brain and influence the parts of the brain that control emotions. According to studies, there is a strong link between prescription opioid misuse and eventual heroin use. If you are struggling with heroin addiction, a heroin addiction treatment program in Texas could help you get out of the addiction.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program

Cocaine is a powerfully stimulating drug obtained from the coca plant leaves, which grows in various highland parts of South America both naturally and under human cultivation. Cocaine is an illegal and highly addictive drug available in two chemical forms: the water-soluble hydrochloride salt and a water-insoluble cocaine base. The street name crack refers to freebase cocaine and the distinctive crackling sound it produces when smoked. The substance carries a great danger of physical dependence and addiction.

Cocaine addiction, like other forms of addiction, is a complex condition that causes the addict to suffer physical, mental, and emotional harm. Addiction is viewed as a chronic condition, promoting the idea that users have little or no control over their actions. There is currently no specific pharmacological treatment for cocaine addiction. Nonetheless, in Texas, medically supervised detox is recommended. Treatment methods must include both physical and mental health aspects to achieve long-term recovery.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Programs

The quantity of prescription opioids sold in the United States has nearly doubled since 1999, as have deaths from oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone. Even though these painkillers are the leading cause of the worrisome prescription drug addiction crisis, Xanax has had the second-largest pharmaceutical production surge after oxycodone, with rates climbing 148% from 2004 to 2009.

Alprazolam, the primary ingredient in Xanax, belongs to another class of medicines that is one of the most potent and addicting, making it a prime target for benzodiazepine misuse in Texas. Benzodiazepines have a relaxing or tranquilizing impact on the brain and central nervous system. ADHD is treated with stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and combined amphetamine salts. Students regularly use them to boost their mental performance. Cough and cold treatments containing codeine or dextromethorphan are also widely abused. Barbiturates, Ambien, and anabolic steroids are some of the other abused prescription medicines. Regardless of the prescription drug you are addicted to, a treatment program for prescription drugs in Texas will help you recover from the addiction.

Drug Addiction Treatment Options in Texas

There are various treatment options available in Texas, and the right one will depend on the type of addiction you are struggling with. The most common ones include:

Drug Detox

Detoxing from alcohol or drugs on your own can be unpleasant and risky. A medical team ensures that detox is both safe and comfortable. They may give you drugs to help you cope with the withdrawal symptoms. They will also monitor your vital signs and pay close attention to your needs.

Residential Treatment

Texas residential rehab programs give you the time and space to concentrate on improving. Days are filled with a variety of addiction treatment options. Through personal and group therapy, you’ll explore components that lead to drug dependence. You’ll discover healthy coping mechanisms that can help you avoid relapsing. You’ll spend your days in a disciplined setting, engaged in recovery. Inpatient rehab is one of the best options for laying a solid recovery foundation.

Outpatient Treatment

Patients treated using an outpatient program are able to take part in treatment and return home to keep up with daily responsibilities. The frequency of treatment varies, but you typically take part in multiple sessions a week, mainly in the evening or during the day. In most cases, the outpatient program is around 10 hours per week. An outpatient program could help you with the structure you need to work through your addictions while you continue going to work and caring for your family.

Self-Help Tips to Follow While in Recovery

When you are trying to quit drugs, stopping the dependency is not always easy. In addition to getting help from medical professionals and addictions specialists at a Texas recovery center, there are some things you can do to support your recovery and make it easier to avoid relapse. By following a few self-help tips, you can continue your work toward living a healthier life.

Take Supplements and Vitamins

Taking supplements during withdrawal might relieve heightened anxiety and restore the nutrients inside your body that might be lacking due to addiction. Individuals who have been misusing drugs may become malnourished because of decreased appetite and reduced self-care. Vitamin supplements could help improve one’s health and help deal with withdrawal symptoms. Vitamin D can help with mood regulation, while amino acids help with anxiety and depression. Along with taking supplements, it’s also important to ensure that you eat a balanced diet to get proper nutrition from food.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation work to alleviate anxiety and calm you during acute cravings. Both of these strategies can help develop future healthy coping strategies. Beginning these activities early in recovery may help diminish cravings.

Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal during this process may seem ridiculous, but recording your thoughts, feelings, and physical experiences might help you remember why you’re sobering up. This may give you an advantage in overcoming withdrawal symptoms and avoiding relapse.

Exercise

While you may have little desire to get up and accomplish anything while in recovery, exercise can offer a number of benefits. For one, exercise can help distract you from cravings. It can also help release “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine, which can help you relax and feel better about your day. Getting outside to exercise may offer even more benefits. In addition to boosting mood, increasing energy, reducing pain, and aiding in the body’s healing process, exposure to sunlight can improve one’s sense of well-being and raise one’s stamina.

Encouraging Trends in Addiction and Addiction Medicine

It is accurate to state that most news around addiction is negative. Every day, the overdose pandemic grows, and the prevalence of substance use disorders is on the rise everywhere. Fortunately, despite all the negative developments in addiction treatment, there are some positive trends.

Advances in Addiction Treatment

Advances in medicine can help us fight addiction more effectively. Aside from evidence-based treatments, there are also new developments in addiction medicine to look forward to. The orexin system, which has been related to the drive to use in people with substance use disorders, is one of the more promising areas of research. Drugs targeting the orexin system appear to have great potential for use in treating addiction.

Additionally, the American Board of Preventative Medicine has established an ACGME medical specialty in addiction medicine, allowing aspiring physicians and nurses to pursue specialized training in the study and treatment of addiction. This is encouraging because medical professionals are beginning to place a higher value on addiction treatment.

Laws Are Now More Supportive

As the public’s understanding of substance use disorders increases, so do the laws. Public leaders and institutions are now making greater efforts to aid those with substance use disorders.

For instance, funding for studies on opioid use disorder has increased. No longer will FAFSA applicants be required to reveal if they have ever been convicted of drug-related offenses. Those who would normally be ineligible for student financing will be able to pursue secondary school regardless of their active addiction-related offenses.

Public Perception Is Changing

These days, the effects of drug abuse are felt by almost half of all American families, with 46% of U.S. adults reported to have dealt with substance abuse in their families in one way or another. With such statistics, it is easy for people to understand that addiction is a disease, not necessarily a moral failing. There is increased empathy among the public for people struggling with addiction, making it easy to change opinions on how to approach substance use disorders.

People Know More About Substance Abuse

More than ever before, more people are embracing evidence-based treatments. Many treatment centers have come, and the centers are increasingly starting to use cutting-edge medications that help them battle substance use disorders. The process of addiction recovery is constantly changing, and the more people know, the more they are likely to understand what contributes to long-term recovery. Right now, we understand that addiction recovery is a holistic approach, and self-motivation is one of the biggest factors that predict the success of a person in recovery.

Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out for Help

You are not alone if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. While substance use disorder can take its toll, much is being done to help people recover and live healthier lives. However, the first step is on you. Reach out to a Texas treatment provider today to find a treatment program that fits your needs