Drug & Alcohol Detox Clinics in Texas

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Learn how to find a safe and reputable detox center in the state of Texas here. At the end, we invite your questions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What is Medical Detox?
• Detoxing in Texas
• How Does Detox in Texas Work
• Inpatient Texas Detox Centers
• Outpatient Texas Detox Centers
• State Sponsored Detox in Texas
• Texas Detox for Veterans
• Forced Detox: Texas Mental Health Code 573.004
• Can Detox Save Your Life?

What is Medical Detox?

Medical detox is 24-7 medical supervision of drug or alcohol withdrawal. During withdrawal, your brain and body go through stress. It’s important to seek medical supervision as health professionals can address symptoms as they occur. Proper treatment reduces discomfort and ensures your safety. What can you expect?

In a detox clinic, you can expect staff to provide:

• Emotional support
• Observation
• Medicines when necessary

Many people consider detoxing on their own. However, because of the way drugs and alcohol influence brain function, this can be dangerous. For example, when you withdraw from alcohol, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting put you at risk for dehydration. Or, seizures and hallucinations can occur. If not addressed properly, there’s the risk of complications. [1]

NOTE HERE: Detox is the first step in addressing addiction. After detox, you need to address the emotional and mental problems that cause addiction.

Detoxing in Texas

In the state of Texas, facilities must operate within specific rules and regulations.The most important of these laws is the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 464. Under this law, any substance abuse treatment facility that provide detoxification services must have a proper license from the Texas Department of State Health Services. [2] [3] The only exception to this law is faith-based chemical dependency treatment programs which offer NO medical treatment.

Through the Substance Abuse Facility Licensing Group, the state has set minimum standards for detox facilities. [4] These include keeping facilities clean and orderly while maintaining professional medical staff.  For example, detox clinics in Texas must have a medical director who is a licensed physician. The medical director is responsible for admission, diagnosis, medication management, and client care.

It’s vital you find a treatment facility that complies with these rules. Though most do, there are occasions where people run into a detox clinic which isn’t up to par. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you can contact the state Attorney General. Their contact page offers more information on how to submit a complaint. [5]

Texas Attorney General: Contact

How Does Detox in Texas Work

Detox in Texas starts with a medical assessment. Everyone experiences withdrawal differently. So, you need customized treatment based on an individualize treatment plan. Staff plan for your treatment after you go through medical assessment. You can expect to be interviewed and evaluated in the following manners:

• A drug screening, usually, a urine test
• Your current health state
• Your drug and medical history
• Your family’s medical history

From there, the information retrieved from either a qualified nurse or physician’s assistant will be given to a physician. Since withdrawal symptoms come on quickly, it’s important for this physician to act quickly. S/He will assess your information within no more than 48 hours. During this time, you can expect to a physical exam.

After assessment, the supervising physician can recommend the right kind of medication and come up with a timeframe for how long you’ll be in detox. The best treatment options for you are outlined in a treatment plan. Detox treatment in Texas includes prescription medication and onsite monitoring of withdrawal symptoms. You can also expect emotional or moral support from clinic staff.

 

Inpatient Texas Detox Centers

There are two different kinds of detox centers people can enter in Texas. [6] First, you can choose an inpatient Texas detox clinic, where you go through detox in a treatment facility with direct medical supervision. Second, you may prefer an outpatient Texas detox clinic, where you go through withdrawal outside a treatment facility with phone access to a supervising clinician.

So, when should you stay in an inpatient detox clinic?

To put it simply, it’s ALWAYS better to stay in an inpatient detox center when you’re struggling with drug or alcohol dependence. This is because inpatient detox ensures your medical stability. Inpatient clinics provide direct intervention for specific symptoms. Plus, staff will make sure you receive a lot of water and eat a number of healthy, balanced meals. This is done through 24-hour medical support to address any problems you have immediately when they arise.

In Texas, you can expect a variety of services from inpatient detox clinics, including:

• Case management services
• Daily activities
• Dietary services
• Pharmaceutical services
• Supportive counseling

It’s important to keep in mind that detox is only the first step to drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Though your body will return to a more normal chemical balance, your mind will continue to crave to get “high.”

Outpatient Texas Detox Centers

Before you enter an outpatient detox clinic in Texas, you must be medical cleared. Doctors first evaluate your case and then offer you options. Some of the requirements for outpatient detox include :

• You’re in good medical condition.
• Your behavioral and mental condition are in check.
• Your family and friends offer support during your detox.
• Your support system can help monitor your compliance with the medical protocol.
• You show responsibility in controlling withdrawal medications.

If you believe you’re qualified for outpatient service, you might be able to find one through:

• A doctor’s office
• A treatment facility

Yet, it’s important to note the risks. To begin, you won’t have access to 24-hour support. This means that if complications arise, you’ll need to seek emergency help Secondly, there’s no professional monitoring making sure you’re maintaining your sobriety. Self-discipline can be difficult. So, if you don’t maintain sobriety, you can expect to be asked to enter an inpatient detox clinic.

With that being said, there’s still plenty of cases where people successfully complete detox through an outpatient program. The staff at a Texas detox facility will support your transition and make sure you have a comfortable withdrawal just as much as they do for people who enter an inpatient program. Furthermore, if symptoms ever escalate too much, you can be transferred to an inpatient clinic.

State Sponsored Detox in Texas

Throughout Texas, there are a number of free rehabilitation centers who support people trying to reach sobriety. The website, Free Rehab Centers has devoted itself to developing a list of these treatment facilities and helping people find treatment. [7] If you’re interested, feel free to check out their Texas page or give them a call on their toll-free number 1-800-780-2294. [8]

The above programs are all sponsored by the Texas government or the corresponding county [9]. The main purpose of these programs is to lower the prison population seen throughout Texas. There’s been a significant rise in prisoner numbers in the last 15 years, much of it is due to non-violent drug and alcohol crimes. [10] So, Texas has also been offering a deferred prosecution program. It’s important to note that through this program, you must find a treatment facility yourself.

Texas Detox for Veterans

Substance abuse disorder is more common amongst Veterans than many believe. Many Veterans suffer from a post-traumatic stress disorder and may turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of self-medicating. [11]

If you’re a Veteran and suffering from addiction, you’ll want to seek help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This organization offers a number of services in particular,medically managed detoxification. If you are interested in these services, you can apply to receive VA health care online. [12] If you don’t have a VA doctor, you may also:

• Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services at 1-888-963-7111 (opened Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM Central Time). You can also email them for general questions or inquiries at registrar@dshs.texas.gov. [13]
• Contact a VA medical enter in Texas. Find a VA medical center near you. If you served in recent operations, call your local VA medical center, and ask to speak to the OEF, OIF, OND coordinator. [14]
• IF THERE’S AN EMERGENCY, IT’S IMPORTANT TO CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY OR GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.

Forced Detox: Texas Mental Health Code 573.004

Under Texas law, people can be put through a process known as “Involuntary Commitment”. [15] This is when a person is placed in either a hospital or psychiatric ward against their will.  So, why are some people placed into hospitalization against their will? There are a number of reasons, including:

• Cases of emergency.
• The person is a clear danger to themselves and others.
• The person cannot maintain a normal life situation without extreme support.
• The person is legally documented as a “mentally ill person”.

When it comes to involuntary hospitalization, there are a few steps in the process. First, a medical certificate must be created by a physician within 24 hours of the patient’s admission. From there, the order of protective custody must result in a probable cause hearing within 72 hours. This is followed by a Mental Health hearing which must take place within two weeks of the patient’s initial hospitalization. Throughout this process, the court may dismiss the case or further hospitalization.

Can Detox Save Your Life?

Yes, detox can save your life!

To begin, detox is the safest way to get through drug and alcohol withdrawal. Thanks to proper medical supervision, you’ll be provided with a critical support system and the right environment necessary for you to take your first steps towards sobriety. A detox facility offers everything from tapering protocols to medications to emotional support.

Q: Can detox cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms?

A: Sometimes. Everyone withdraws from drugs in a different way.

When it comes to certain substances, many people experience dehydration due to symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. With the right medical supervision, you can feel safe in knowing you’ll always be properly hydrated. In another example, a common withdrawal symptom is depression that triggers suicidal ideation. In order to cope with the difficulties of withdrawal, a detox facility provides you with a strong emotional support system.

There is no safer way to withdrawal from drugs or alcohol other than through a medical detox clinic. Reputable facilities are designed to discover your particular problems and find a solution that fits you perfectly – no matter what drug you’re withdrawing from or the medication you’ll need to relieve discomfort.

Q: Should you attempt to detox on your own?

A: No! There are just too many risks.

Not only do you risk the fatal consequences sometimes found with drug and alcohol withdrawal, but you also risk harming your brain and body in a number of ways. For example, you may experience a lack of appetite due to withdraw. In turn, you might not provide your body with the nutrients it needs to push through the withdrawal process. Furthermore, whenever you decide to withdrawal on your own, your risk relapse.

Your Questions

Have more questions concerning drug and alcohol detox in Texas? If you need help finding help finding the right detox center in Texas or would like more information on detox, we invite you to give us a call today. We’ll give you more information on what to expect from detox in an American Addiction Centers clinic. We know addiction… and will walk you through the entire process.

Feel free to ask them below. We also invite those with more knowledge of detoxing in Texas to leave a comment. We try to reply to all legitimate comments in a prompt and personal manner. You are not alone when it comes to discovering the route to recovery. Take it one step at a time and, by quitting drugs or alcohol, you are saving your life in many ways!

Reference Sources: [1] Medline Plus: Alcohol withdrawal
[2] §448.902 Requirements Applicable to Detoxification Services
Texas Department of State Health Services: Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
[3] Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 464
[4] Texas Department of State Health Services: Licensing Requirements
[5] Texas Attorney General: Contact
[6] NIAAA: An Overview of Outpatient and Inpatient Detoxification
[7] Free Rehab Centers
[8] Texas Free Rehab Centers
[9] Texas Department of State Health Services: Find Substance Abuse Services
[10] House of Committee on Corrections: Interim Report to the 86th Texas Legislature
[11] NIH: Military
[12] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: How to Apply for VA Health Care
[13] Texas Health and Human Services
[14] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Locations
[15] Health and Safety Code: Texas Mental Health Code 573.004