El Paso Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
El Paso’s location contributes to its relatively high rates of substance use and misuse. This sprawling Texas city is located right on the border with Mexico, just across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. That makes El Paso among the top U.S. destinations for various drugs moved across the border.
Between 1999 and 2014, rates of treatment for methamphetamine addiction increased by 500%, and in 2018, nearly 20% of adults in the metro El Paso area indulged in heavy drinking.2
Expert Insights
As a fairly new mom, one of the things that keeps me up at night is worrying about my children. Like every mom, I want to make sure my kids are safe. And one of the places where we simply expect them to be safe is within their schools. But we’re sadly discovering that the implied safety of a school is more of a facade. I recently read about an El Paso school that has seen a rash of opioid overdoses – including three fatal overdoses – meaning the kids were getting and taking illicit opioid pills while in school. One mother said she even reported the problem to school officials after her daughter admitted she was addicted after months of taking opioid pills between classes. No action was taken by the officials. This only strengthens my resolve to have an open dialogue with my children (when they’re old enough) about the dangers of drugs and the potential consequences of addiction. It’s up to us as parents to take the lead in this battle against drug abuse and ultimately keep our kids safe.
~ Natalie Baker
Top 6 Drug Rehabs in El Paso, TX
Below are the top six addiction treatment centers in El Paso based on the following criteria:
- Offering evidence-based treatment
- Accreditation
- Certifications
- Client testimonials / reviews
El Paso Behavioral Health System
El Paso Behavioral Health System is a private 166-bed psychiatric hospital located between Highland Park and West Central El Paso in El Paso County. They specialize in mental health and chemical dependency for adults, young adults, and seniors. The facility’s amenities include a recreation room and swimming pool.
El Paso Behavioral Health System specializes in:
- Detox
- Inpatient Rehab
- Outpatient Rehab
- Dual Diagnosis
- Opioid Rehab
- Men’s Program
- Women’s Program
- Young Adult Program
- Military Rehab
- Recreational Activities
Treatment programs are supported by:
- Joint Commission
Location and contact information:
1900 Denver Ave.
El Paso, TX 79902
915-544-4000
Aliviane
Aliviane is located across from the Hospitals of Providence, between Highland Park and West Central El Paso, near downtown, in a mountain view setting. It provides prevention services, adult outpatient treatment, youth and family outpatient treatment, and residential treatment for women and children. Food, transportation, and recreational activities are also provided.
Aliviane specializes in:
- Adult Outpatient Treatment
- Women and Children’s Residential Program
- Youth and Family Outpatient Program
- Parent Education Groups
- Mental Health Services
- Couple’s Counseling
- Case Management Services
Treatment programs are supported by:
- Texas State License
Location and contact information:
1626 Medical Center
El Paso, TX 79902
915-782-4000
Recovery Alliance of El Paso
Recovery Alliance is an addiction treatment center located on a residential street between the Morningside Heights and Five Points neighborhoods in El Paso. It offers recovery services for drug and alcohol dependency delivered by peers in the recovery community. The center also offers free social and recreational activities, informational workshops, skills development and training, career and business planning, and parenting classes.
Recovery Alliance specializes in:
- Residential Program
- Men’s Program
- Women’s Program
- Young Adult Program
- Support Groups
- Peer Counseling
- Spiritual Support
Treatment programs are supported by:
- Texas State License
Location and contact information:
3501 Hueco Avenue #22
El Paso, TX 79903
MedMark Treatment Centers El Paso
MedMark Treatment Centers El Paso is located in a private facility in the Alameda business district of El Paso. MedMark is an out-patient medication-assisted treatment facility for opioid addiction. Medication treatment is accompanied by counseling, case management services, and community resource referrals.
MedMark Treatment Centers El Paso specializes in:
- Drug Rehab
- Opioid Rehab
- Medication-assisted Treatment
- Men’s Rehab
- Women’s Rehab
- Young Adult Program
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- DBT Therapy
- Case Management Services
- Referral to Community Services
Treatment programs are supported by:
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
- SAMHSA (opioid certification)
Location and contact information:
6111 Alameda Ave.
El Paso, TX 799905
915-221-2301
Resources
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin. (2019). State of Texas Drug Use Patterns and Trends 2019.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Addressing Substance Use in Texas. Public Health Agency Action Plan 2020-2022. (n.d.) Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS.state.tx.
- Health and Human Services. (2021) Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help.. HHS.gov.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.) The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. CMS.gov.
- TRICARE Covered Services. (n.d.). TRICARE Can Help If You Have a Substance Abuse Disorder.
- Technical Assistance Partnership. (n.d.). Medicaid in Texas.
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.) Medicaid and Medicare.
- Green, K E and Brian A. Feinstein. (2012 Jun) Substance Use in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: An Update on Empirical Research and Implications for Treatment. Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors.
- City of El Paso Community Development. (n.d.) Neighborhood Associations. ElPasoTexas.gov.
- Drug Policy Alliance. (n.d.) State by State Laws. Texas. DrugPolicy.org.
- Proctor, S L and Philip L. Herschman. (2014 Mar 27) The Continuing Care Model of Substance Abuse Treatment: What Works, and When Is “Enough,” “Enough?” Psychiatry Journal.
- Mericle, A A, Elizabeth Mahoney, Rachel Korcha, Kevin Delucchi and Douglas L.Polcin. (2018 Dec 15) Sober Living House Characteristics: A Multilevel Analysis of Factors Associated With Improved Outcomes. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.
- Texas Good Samaritan Act. (n.d.). CPR Today. http://www.cprtoday.net/images/Texas_Good_Samaritan_Act.pdf
- Silver, J. (2017, June 15). Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs “Sandra Bland Act” into law. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/15/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-sandra-bland-act-law/
- Texas Legislature Online. (2017). Bill Text.
- Cornwell, A. M. (2022, November 3). Is marijuana legal in Texas? (Updated: November 2022). CBD Oracle. https://cbdoracle.com/news/policy/marijuana-legal-texas/
