Expert Insights
Drug trafficking across the Southern border was an undeniable reality of living in South Texas. But I began noticing a significant increase in the number of women remanded to the custody of the Texas prison system with the rise of opioid drug trafficking in Texas. Why are record numbers of women being sentenced to years behind bars for drug possession or delivery charges? Women often stay in relationships with men who deal in drugs because they’re afraid to leave, they’re dependent on the relationship, or they feel an obligation to keep the family together – and they stay despite knowing it puts them at a higher risk of going to prison. That’s why I’m so passionate about prevention in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, trauma, and poverty.
~ Natalie Baker
How Much Does Addiction Treatment in Texas Cost?
Texas is ranked 18th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of addiction treatment of $56,623.
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,596
- Inpatient rehab in Texas costs an average of $49,966
- Outpatient rehab in Texas costs an average of $8,302
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,377
Keep in mind these are average treatment costs across the state, specific prices can vary due to:
- Type of treatment program (residential vs. outpatient)
- Amenities offered (such as luxury accommodations)
- Length of program (30 vs. 90 days or longer)
- Facility location (urban vs. countryside)
- Type of insurance accepted
- If the facility receives state or national funding
How to Pay for Rehab in Texas
Whether or not you carry insurance, you can find a Texas rehab center that suits your needs and works with your financial situation. There are more than 500 addiction treatment facilities throughout the state, most of which offer a multitude of payment options.
Of the many rehab centers across Texas:2
463 accept self-payment or cash
261 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
290 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
189 accept State-Specific insurance coverage
330 accept private health insurance
210 offer free or low-cost treatment
463 offer free treatment for all clients
As you explore addiction treatment options, ask each rehab facility about the payment options they accept and whether they offer financial assistance. If you need help covering the cost of your care, many facilities are more than willing to work with you. And some rehabs even provide services on an income-based, sliding scale, which means they only require you to pay what you can reasonably afford.
Finding Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab in Texas
Many free and reduced-cost rehabs throughout Texas can make treatment more accessible for those in difficult financial situations. Some of these treatment centers receive state or federal funding, which allows them to keep their program costs low. Such facilities typically require that prospective patients verify their legal U.S. residency, Texas residency, lack of insurance, and income status before admission.
Aside from selecting a publicly funded Texas rehab, there are other ways you can make addiction treatment more affordable, such as:
- Applying for facility-specific rehab scholarships
- Applying for grant funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
- Finding a treatment facility that will work with you on financing or a payment plan
- Selecting a rehab center that offers treatment services on a sliding fee scale
How Many People in Texas Struggle With Drug & Alcohol Addiction?
In Texas, approximately 27,000 adolescents and adults are receiving addiction treatment at over 800 rehab facilities.1 However, thousands more are in need of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, and many others are at risk of developing a substance use disorder.2 Annually, there are nearly 3,100 drug-related fatalities in Texas and just over 296,500 emergency department visits related to substance use.3, 4
Here are some alcohol and drug use statistics for Texans:2
Approximately 24% engage in binge drinking at least once per month
Nearly 49% have consumed alcohol in the past month
Just over 9% have used an illicit drug in the past month
Nearly 3% have used an illegal drug in the last month
Nearly 3.5% have misused prescription pain medications in the past year
Close to 1% have used methamphetamine in the last year
Nearly 1.5% have used cocaine in the past year
Important Addiction Treatment Laws in Texas
Texas Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Statute: This Texas law protects individuals who call emergency medical personnel for assistance with a suspected overdose. However, the law only protects defendants who possess a small number of controlled substances and have not called 911 for an overdose in the preceding 18 months. Defendants who have an existing felony conviction or have used this law’s protection for previously suspected overdose are also not protected.
Many people are often hesitant to seek emergency medical attention for an overdose due to concerns surrounding prosecution. Under this law, you needn’t worry about legal repercussions associated with getting emergency help, provided you do not meet any of the statute’s exemptions.
If you or someone you know is using illicit substances and you believe someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately.
Rehab for Individuals Arrested or Convicted for Non-Violent Crimes: Under Senate Bill 1849, also known as the Sandra Bland Act, Texas jails must work to promptly identify people with suspected mental health disorders and/or substance use concerns. The law also requires jails to divert individuals who meet the criteria to an appropriate treatment facility rather than keeping them incarcerated. 6
Texas Protections for Employees Seeking Addiction Treatment: Employees who voluntarily seek alcohol and drug treatment may be able to receive time off work under the federal Family Leave and Medical Act (FLMA). The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) also provides certain protections for Texas employees who stop using illicit substances and seek addiction treatment.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2020, Data on Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2019-2020). National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2019). Overdose Prevention Investment Snapshot.
- Texas Department of State Health Services. (2018). Hospital Emergency Department Data Collection 2016-2017. Texas Health and Human Services.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. (2022) MAT Medications, Counseling, and Related Conditions.
- Texas Legislature Online. (2017). Bill Text.
- State of Texas Drug Use Patterns and Trends (2019). Bill Text.
