Substance Abuse Stats in DeSoto, Texas
DeSoto, in Dallas County, has seen a rise in drug and alcohol-related deaths in recent years:1,3,4
The prevalence of fentanyl in street drugs in Dallas County has shown to have risen threefold in recent years, according to a five-year study, with benzodiazepines being the most common drug found to contain the substance.
Nearly half, 45.9 per 100, of residents were prescribed opiate medications in 2020
Drug-related overdoses rose 31% in the county between 2018 and 2020
Alcohol-related overdoses increased by 43.75% in the same period
Levels of Care for Rehabs in Texas
The following types of substance abuse treatment offer various levels of care. Some Texans enter treatment at the most restrictive levels and move through the continuum of care, while others only require the least intensive interventions.
Alcohol and Drug Detoxification
Detox is the process of safely and comfortably removing drugs or alcohol from your system. This occurs under medical supervision in a hospital, residential, or outpatient setting, to manage withdrawal symptoms and allow Texans to transition into formal treatment services.
Residential or Inpatient
Residential or inpatient treatment involves living at the rehab facility and receiving 24/7 supervised care. A combination of treatment interventions is offered, including individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, experiential therapies, and medication.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
PHPs allow Texans to live at home while attending treatment at a hospital. You may participate in many of the same treatment methods as inpatient care, but you can return home during non-treatment hours.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
A step down from a PHP, IOPs allow you to attend a few hours of counseling over several days each week. This allows you to spend the rest of your time at home, school, working, or fulfilling other obligations.
Standard Outpatient
The least intensive treatment option, standard outpatient care involves one to two hours of treatment per week. Highly motivated people with a strong support system tend to find this level beneficial.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention, also known as aftercare, begins when you complete a rehab program. It involves ongoing encouragement through therapy, 12-step groups, non-12-step groups, sober living homes, and other types of support.
How to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Desoto, Texas
Private Insurance
All insurance providers are required by law to provide coverage for substance abuse and mental health treatment services in some capacity. Coverage varies by plan, so Texas residents must contact their providers to learn about their specific coverage.
Texas Medicaid
The Texas Medicaid program offers health insurance for low-income residents. This includes various treatment services like inpatient drug rehab and outpatient substance abuse treatment. Most Medicaid services in Texas are delivered through managed care health plans under contract with the state. Before enrolling in a rehab program, individuals should confirm that the facility accepts Medicaid as a form of payment.
Texas Medicare
Texas Medicare is a federal program that provides healthcare coverage to residents with end-stage renal disease, those with certain disabilities, and those over the age of 65. Texas residents can use Medicare to cover the cost of drug addiction treatment services, including rehab. However, not all rehabs accept Medicare insurance. Texas offers a free helpline to guide residents through the complexities of Medicare coverage: 800-252-9240.
TRICARE in Texas
Texas TRICARE (West region) is a government program providing health insurance coverage to the U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE coverage includes addiction treatment services, such as rehab and medication-assisted treatment.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs are income-based, charging only what Texans can reasonably afford based on how much they earn. To qualify for these programs, individuals must provide proof of income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehabs funded by the Indian Health Service (IHS) provide free addiction treatment to Indigenous people in the U.S. and Alaskan Natives.
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting DeSoto, Texas
Being a gateway city, Desoto has easy access to public transportation and a wide range of amenities and comforts:
- To get to DeSoto from nearly anywhere in the world, take a flight to the Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW), which is a 32 minutes drive away. You can also take the Amtrak train into the city. If you need a ride from the airport, take the Trinity Railway Express from DFW.
- The city has its own public bus system, STAR Transit, which recently launched the STARNow app, which features a simple ride-request system. STAR runs on three routes, which run daily. Tickets are $1 unless you’re a senior or disabled, in which case there is no fee.
- DeSoto has eight shopping malls, including the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center and the Cinemark Movie Theater.
- There are 18 public parks in the city, as well as the Thorntree Golf Club.
- The Windmill Hill Nature Reserve is a great place to take in DeSoto’s natural beauty, as does the Ray Orr Trail and the Historic Nance Farm.
- Popular attractions in the city include the Texas Helicopter Experience, Munster Mansion, and the nearby Dallas Zoo.
Texas Alcohol and Drug Laws
Texas lawmakers have enacted the following laws regarding substance use:1,2,3,4
Texas Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Statute: This law is designed to encourage Texas residents to seek emergency medical attention during an overdose situation. It protects individuals who call 911 for assistance with a suspected overdose from prosecution for possession of certain controlled substances (if they have not called 911 for an overdose in the preceding 18 months).
Sandra Bland Act: This law provides for rehab for individuals arrested or convicted of non-violent crimes. Per this statute, Texas criminal justice officials must work to identify people with suspected substance use concerns and divert these individuals to an appropriate treatment facility rather than incarcerate them.
Texas Protections for Employees Seeking Addiction Treatment: Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Texas employees who voluntarily seek alcohol and drug treatment may be eligible for time off work for this treatment. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also provides some protections for employees who seek addiction treatment
Marijuana Laws: Texas law is among the strictest in the country regarding marijuana. Recreational use and growth are illegal, and medical use is legal but heavily regulated. Penalties for use, growth, possession, or sale of marijuana range from 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine to life imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.
Resources
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). CDC Wonder Tool.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Treatment Locator Map.
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). U.S. County Opioid Dispensing Rates, 2020.
- National Library of Medicine. (October 27, 2022). Heroin and fentanyl in Dallas County: A 5-year retrospective review of toxicological, seized drug, and demographical data.