Expert Insights
It’s no secret that Texas is in the middle of an overwhelming opioid epidemic. And while we normally hear nothing but doom and gloom when we talk about the opioid crisis, I ran across some encouraging and exciting news for once and wanted to share it. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) was recently awarded a massive $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in order to study peer recovery support systems and services for those struggling with opioid use disorder.
We know that medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine (Suboxone) is considered the “gold standard of care” for opioid addiction, recent data seems to indicate that certain types of support services can actually increase the effectiveness of addiction treatment and help to support long-term recovery.
NIH is providing the grant money to UT Health San Antonio in order to study emerging “peer” recovery support systems, which includes people who have lived experience with addiction, they are in long-term recovery, and have specialized training to support others during their recovery process through non-clinical means. Examples include things like mentorship, occupational training, transitional housing, and aftercare programs. It will be very interesting to see what kind of impact peer support has on the recovery process as a whole.
How We Rank Listings
Every rehab center listed on Addictions.com is verified against public licensing and federal treatment databases before it appears in our directory. We do not accept payment from facilities in exchange for higher placement. Listings are ordered using a combination of factors that matter most to people searching for care: verified state licensure or national accreditation (Joint Commission, CARF), the range of levels of care available, accepted payment types including Medicaid and Medicare, and the availability of specialized programs for populations with distinct clinical needs.
Facilities that hold more accreditations and serve a broader range of patients rank higher. We review and update listings regularly to reflect changes in licensure, services, and contact information.
Rehab in San Antonio: What to Know
San Antonio sits in Bexar County in South-Central Texas, roughly 80 miles southwest of Austin and 150 miles north of the Mexico border. The city is home to 65 licensed addiction treatment facilities offering everything from medical detox and residential care to standard outpatient programs, making it one of the better-resourced metros in the state for people seeking help. You can browse all of them on the Texas rehab directory.
Bexar County’s primary public behavioral health authority is the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS), a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic that has served the county for more than 50 years. CHCS operates outpatient substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, a 24-hour crisis and detox unit called the Restoration Center, and an Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral (OSAR) program that can connect people to treatment regardless of ability to pay.
In October 2025, Bexar County opened an expansion to the Applewhite Recovery Center, adding 130 residential beds dedicated to people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
San Antonio also hosts the Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders at UT Health San Antonio, a research and clinical center that in 2025 received $256 million in state funding to expand medication-assisted treatment and recovery services statewide. The Naloxone Texas program distributes free overdose reversal medication to individuals and organizations throughout Texas.
Methamphetamine is the primary driver of overdose deaths in Bexar County, which declared a public health crisis over rising overdose rates in November 2024. Stimulant- and opioid-related death rates in the county both exceed the Texas statewide average.
People seeking methamphetamine addiction treatment or opioid treatment will find San Antonio has dedicated programs for both. The city’s large active-duty and veteran population, tied to Joint Base San Antonio and Lackland AFB, makes veterans’ programming particularly relevant. To that end, 14 of the 65 facilities in the directory offer programs designed specifically for veterans and active-duty service members.
Cost of Rehab in San Antonio
Treatment costs in San Antonio generally track Texas statewide averages. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, residential rehab in Texas averages around $51,200 per person, while outpatient programs average closer to $8,500. Detox programs across the state typically run $250 to $800 per day, with a standard 7-day program costing roughly $1,750 to $5,600 before insurance.
Because San Antonio is a large urban market with high volumes of Medicaid and publicly funded treatment, self-pay rates at some facilities can be lower than in smaller Texas cities. Costs vary significantly by facility type, program length, and the amenities offered.
Several factors push costs up or down for any individual. The most significant is insurance coverage. Most ACA-compliant private plans, Texas Medicaid (STAR), and Medicare cover medically necessary substance use treatment, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs substantially.
Facility type and amenities, program length, and whether you need detox before entering residential care also affect the final figure. People without insurance or with limited coverage can often access publicly funded treatment through CHCS or state-funded slots; see the section below on how to pay. You can also review how insurance works for addiction treatment to understand what your specific plan may cover before you call a facility.
How to Pay for Rehab in San Antonio
Of the 65 addiction treatment facilities in San Antonio, 59 accept self-payment, 53 accept private insurance, 35 accept Texas Medicaid, and 22 accept Medicare. For veterans and active-duty service members, 29 facilities accept TRICARE. The city also has options for people who need low- or no-cost care, including 27 facilities that offer some form of financial assistance, 13 that offer sliding-scale fees, and 2 that provide treatment at no charge.
Medicare
Medicare covers medically necessary addiction treatment for adults 65 and older, as well as certain younger adults with qualifying disabilities. Coverage includes inpatient detox through Part A, outpatient therapy under Part B, and, since January 2024, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) at eligible facilities. Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional behavioral health benefits.
Twenty-two facilities in San Antonio accept Medicare. For a full breakdown of what Medicare pays for and what to ask a facility before enrolling, review this guide to how insurance covers addiction treatment.
Texas Medicaid (STAR and STAR+PLUS)
Texas Medicaid covers substance use disorder treatment for eligible low-income adults, children, and pregnant women through its managed care programs, primarily STAR and STAR+PLUS. Coverage includes outpatient counseling, residential treatment, detox, and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
MAT medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone are covered benefits under both programs. Thirty-five San Antonio facilities accept Texas Medicaid; if you are unsure of your eligibility, call 211 or contact CHCS (210-261-3076) to reach the OSAR program, which can help identify funded treatment slots at no cost to the caller.
TRICARE
With Joint Base San Antonio anchoring the city’s large military community, 29 facilities in the directory accept TRICARE. TRICARE covers substance use disorder treatment, including detox, inpatient care, outpatient programs, and MAT, for active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families.
Coverage terms vary by TRICARE plan (Prime, Select, and others), so verify benefits before starting. Facilities that serve veterans and military personnel are also listed on the veterans and military addiction resources page.
Private Insurance and Other Coverage
Most ACA-compliant private insurance plans sold in Texas are required to cover substance use disorder treatment at parity with other medical benefits under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Major carriers active in the San Antonio market include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana. Call the member services number on your insurance card to verify which San Antonio facilities are in-network before committing to a program.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Humana
- Molina Healthcare
- Centene / Superior HealthPlan
Financial Assistance and Free Treatment
For people who cannot afford treatment, San Antonio has publicly funded options. CHCS accepts patients regardless of ability to pay and coordinates access to state-funded treatment slots through the OSAR program. Cenikor’s San Antonio facility offers MAT and comprehensive services at no cost to qualifying women in Bexar County through a county partnership. Two facilities in the directory offer free treatment; 27 offer financial assistance. You can also search for rehab scholarships that may offset costs at private programs.
Levels of Care Available in San Antonio
San Antonio’s 65 facilities collectively offer a broad continuum of care. There are 37 medical detox programs and 40 inpatient residential programs in the city, along with 55 standard outpatient clinics, 3 partial hospitalization programs, and 41 dual diagnosis programs for people managing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Medical detox is the supervised process of clearing substances from the body safely. For alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines especially, withdrawal can be medically serious, making 24-hour supervision necessary. San Antonio has 37 programs offering medical detox, including the CHCS Restoration Center, which operates a 24/7 crisis stabilization and sobering unit.
Inpatient and residential rehab provide structured, 24-hour care in a live-in setting, typically lasting 30 to 90 days. It is the most intensive non-hospital level of care and is appropriate for people who need to step away from their home environment to stabilize. San Antonio has 40 inpatient rehab programs, including the expanded Applewhite Recovery Center, which added 130 beds in 2025 for people with co-occurring conditions.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) provide structured treatment for several hours a day, several days a week, while allowing patients to return home or to a sober living environment at night. Three programs in San Antonio offer PHP. It is commonly used as a step-down from inpatient care or as a higher level of outpatient care for people who need more structure than standard weekly therapy. Learn more about PHP treatment and what to expect.
Standard outpatient programs are the most flexible level of care, with sessions typically meeting one to three times a week. With 55 outpatient clinics in the directory, San Antonio has the broadest access to this level of care. It is well-suited for people who have completed a higher level of treatment, have a stable home environment, or have a milder use disorder. Review options at outpatient rehab.
Dual diagnosis treatment addresses substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder simultaneously. With 41 co-occurring disorder programs in San Antonio, this is one of the most widely available program types in the city. Treating both conditions together leads to better long-term outcomes than treating each separately. People with untreated co-occurring depression or anxiety disorders are strongly encouraged to seek a facility with integrated dual diagnosis programming.
For people finishing treatment, a clear plan for what comes next is one of the most important factors in long-term recovery. Learn about rehab aftercare and continuing care options, including outpatient support, alumni programs, and peer recovery groups.
Specialty Programs in San Antonio
Many San Antonio facilities offer programs tailored to specific populations or substances, reflecting the city’s diverse demographics and the clinical reality that people benefit from care designed for their circumstances. Eight specialty program types are represented across the 65 facilities in the directory.
Free and Low-Cost Rehab Resources in San Antonio
For people who cannot afford private treatment or who need immediate help navigating the system, San Antonio has a range of publicly funded and nonprofit resources. The crisis lines and OSAR program below are the fastest entry points. If you are in crisis, call the CHCS 24-hour helpline or dial 988; both connect you to trained counselors around the clock.
This section also includes crisis and suicide prevention resources for people who may be struggling with more than one issue at once.
Crisis Lines
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988 from anywhere in the US. Available 24 hours a day for mental health and substance use crises. Spanish-language support available. https://988lifeline.org/
CHCS 24-Hour Crisis and Substance Use Helpline: 1-800-316-9241 or 210-223-7233. Operated by the Center for Health Care Services. Available around the clock for Bexar County residents experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis. Counselors can direct callers to walk-in, emergency, or inpatient services. https://chcsbc.org/
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral line in English and Spanish. Can locate publicly funded treatment programs near you. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
County Behavioral Health Services
Center for Health Care Services (CHCS): 210-261-2427 (general) | OSAR line: 210-261-3076. The county’s primary behavioral health authority. Provides outpatient substance use treatment, MAT for opioid use disorder, case management, and psychiatric care on a sliding-scale basis. The OSAR program (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) can screen and refer people who are unsure where to start. No one is turned away for inability to pay. https://chcsbc.org/
Community and Nonprofit Resources
San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness (SACADA): 210-225-4741 A nonprofit operating since 1957. Provides free drug and alcohol assessments, court-mandated education, peer recovery coaching, youth prevention programs, and referrals. SACADA’s Project AMOR offers peer-to-peer recovery support for women and their families at no cost. https://sacada.org/
Haven for Hope: 210-220-2100 1 Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio, TX 78207. Campus-based social services hub for people experiencing homelessness, including on-site substance use counseling, mental health support, case management, and connections to residential treatment programs. Services are available at no cost to qualifying Bexar County residents. https://www.havenforhope.org/
Harm Reduction and Naloxone
Naloxone Texas / Be Well Institute at UT Health San Antonio: Provides free naloxone (Narcan) to individuals and organizations throughout Texas via an online request form. Individuals can request two-dose boxes by mail. Also offers free overdose recognition and response training. This is a San Antonio-based program; distribution is statewide. https://bewelltexas.org/
University Health SMASH and STOP Programs: University Health operates community harm reduction programs in Bexar County, including free naloxone distribution and referrals to opioid treatment services. The STOP program aims to reduce opioid use disorder in South Texas. https://www.universityhealth.com/public-health
Veterans and Military
San Antonio is home to the South Texas VA Health Care System, anchored by Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, which provides both inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment for eligible veterans. The system operates multiple community-based outpatient clinics across the city. Call the Consolidated Outpatient Appointment Center at 210-949-9702 to schedule an appointment. In crisis, veterans can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. See additional rehab resources for veterans and military families on Addictions.com.
211 and Navigation Services
Dial 211 (United Way of Bexar County) to reach a live operator who can connect you to local social services including housing, food assistance, and health care referrals. Available 24 hours a day. This is also an effective entry point for people who are unsure which specific program to contact first.
Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics in San Antonio
Bexar County recorded 509 drug overdose deaths in 2023, the highest annual total in the county’s history and an increase from 498 in 2022, according to a Public Health Watch analysis of CDC provisional data. Methamphetamine was the leading driver, involved in 327 of those deaths.
In November 2024, the San Antonio City Council formally declared overdoses a public health crisis, citing a death rate that exceeds both the Texas statewide and national averages and noting a large uninsured population that struggles to access care.
Opioid-related emergency department visits in Texas Public Health Region 8, which covers the San Antonio area, totaled 721 in 2021, the most recent year for which regional figures are available, representing 54 per 100,000 emergency visits.
The opioid prescription rate in Bexar County fell 19% between 2016 and 2020, from 546 to 441 per 1,000 adults, according to CDC data. Despite that decline, illicit opioids, particularly fentanyl, remain a significant concern. For national context on overdose trends, see substance use statistics from Addictions.com.
Bexar County health officials have noted that a large uninsured population limits access to treatment, with the city’s Chief Mental Health Officer describing access to care as a key challenge. The city’s opioid settlement funds, totaling $909,000 for 2024 and 2025, are being deployed for naloxone distribution, community outreach, and educational programming through Metro Health.
Resources
- Public Health Watch. (2024). “Overdose Deaths in Bexar County Hit a Historic High in 2023. Methamphetamine Is Mostly to Blame.” https://publichealthwatch.org/2024/07/26/drug-overdoses-meth-san-antonio/
- City of San Antonio / KSAT News. (2024). “City of San Antonio declares overdoses a public health crisis.” https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/11/21/city-of-san-antonio-declares-overdoses-a-public-health-crisis/
- Public Health Watch (2024). “Overdose Deaths in Bexar County Hit a Historic High in 2023. Methamphetamine Is Mostly to Blame.” https://publichealthwatch.org/2024/07/26/drug-overdoses-meth-san-antonio/
- San Antonio Report. (2025, October). “With new expansion, Bexar County doubles down on mental health.” https://sanantonioreport.org/with-applewhite-expansion-bexar-county-doubles-down-on-mental-health-and-rehabilitation/
- Axios San Antonio. (2025, June). “Why opioid deaths are falling in Bexar County.” https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/04/opioid-drug-overdose-death-fall-san-antonio-texas
- Be Well Texas / UT Health San Antonio. (2025). “Be Well Texas to lead major statewide expansion of opioid use disorder and recovery support services.” https://bewelltexas.org/be-well-texas-at-ut-health-san-antonio-to-lead-major-statewide-expansion-of-opioid-use-disorder-and-recovery-services/
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission. (2025). “Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral (OSAR) Programs.” https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/outreach-screening-assessment-referral
- Addiction Resource. (2026). “Average Cost of Addiction Treatment in Texas.” https://www.addictionresource.net/cost-of-rehab/texas/
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, cited via RehabNet. (2026). “Top Rehab Centers in Texas: Pricing and Insurance.” https://rehabnet.com/texas/
- Spectrum News. (2024). “San Antonio declares public health crisis over rise in overdose deaths.” https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2024/11/22/san-antonio-declares-crisis-over-rise-in-overdose-deaths
