up button arrow

Texas Detox Centers

What Is Detox in Texas?

Detox in Texas, also referred to as medical detox, is a service that helps persons struggling with substance abuse disorder withdraw from its use in a medically safe manner.
Detox is the first step of recovery for people with addiction, but it is not a complete treatment on its own. Most people continue treatment at a rehab center after detox or move into a drug-free environment. Professional help is often necessary to treat the behavioral and mental problems associated with substance abuse that detoxing alone cannot treat. Texas detox and addiction treatment services operate under the Texas Health and Safety Code, and the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) supervises and licenses these facilities.

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Drugs in Texas?

It varies. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study, the average detox time for cocaine is three to four days. Likewise, the official report puts the detox timeline for heroin at four to seven days and several weeks for cannabis detox.
In general, the time frame for drug detox largely depends on the following factors:

  • The substance of abuse and frequency of use
  • Duration of addiction
  • Method of abuse and multiple substance abuse
  • Existences of co-occurring medical conditions
  • Age and gender

The Substance of Abuse and the Frequency of Use

Drugs differ in their mechanisms of action and how the body processes them. Thus, some addictive substances take longer to leave the body than others, making the detox period for those drugs lengthier. Furthermore, frequent drug use causes drugs to accumulate in the body and often causes a lengthier detox period.

Addiction History

The detox time for people who have struggled with addiction for years is typically longer than for someone addicted to a substance for a few months. However, this factor still varies with the type of drug and other factors.

Method of Abuse and Multiple Substance Abuse

The route of using a drug affects how fast the drug circulates the body and reaches the brain. Drugs injected or inhaled enter the body faster than drugs swallowed. Detoxing from an injected or inhaled drug typically takes longer than ingested drugs.

Co-occurring Medical and Mental Health Conditions

The existence of one or multiple co-occurring medical or mental conditions can extend the time a person spends in detox. A longer stay at a drug detox center is necessary to treat the co-occurring condition while ensuring a safe detox.

Age

Younger persons tend to have a shorter stay in detox than older persons who have had major life events such as mental disorders, physical abuse, sexual trauma, victimization, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, older age is not a catchall for life experiences.

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol in Texas?

The length of stay in a drug detox center for alcohol abuse disorder depends on several factors. Still, SAMHSA recorded Texas's average alcohol detox time as five days. Age, gender, family history, the severity of addiction, co-occurring substance abuse, and co-occurring health conditions cause this detox period to vary.

The Detoxification Process at a Texas Drug Detox Center

The process of drug and alcohol detox aims at helping persons with substance abuse disorder get treatment suited to their individual needs. Most drug detox Texas process involves three steps:

Evaluation

In the evaluation stage, the medical staff at the drug detox center test and measure the levels of addictive substances in the patient's system. The drug detox center also screens for co-occurring physical and mental health issues. The process also includes an extensive evaluation of the patient's medical, drug, and psychiatric history. All this information forms the basis for the patient's substance abuse treatment plan after a successful detox.

Stabilization

In this phase, the drug detox center uses medications to assist the patient from acute intoxication and withdrawal to a medically stable substance-free state using medical, mental, and emotional therapy. The purpose of stabilization is to prevent harm to the patient.

Entry into Treatment

The drug and alcohol detox center prepares the patient for a substance abuse treatment program. The medical personnel encourages patients to enter into a substance abuse treatment and care program. The specialist intimates the patient about what to expect during the treatment process.

Side Effects of Detox

The side effect a patient experiences during detox depends on the type of substance abuse. Typically most drugs share similar symptoms.

Benzodiazepines and sedatives

The known side effects of detoxing from benzodiazepines and sedatives include restlessness, insomnia, tremor, elevated heart rate, poor concentration, impaired judgment, hallucinations, delusions, and loss of consciousness.

Marijuana

A person detoxing from marijuana may experience reduced appetite, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches, stomach pains, nausea, fatigue, restlessness, and weight loss.

Solvents and Inhalants

The side effects of detox from solvents and inhalants range from tremors, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, seizures, and muscle cramps to delirium and depression.

Nicotine

People addicted to smoking cigarettes may experience the following side effects during a drug detox process: sweating, abdominal cramps and nausea, depression, insomnia, headaches, tingling sensation, sore throat, coughing, and weight gain.

Stimulants

Insomnia, depression, paranoia, anxiety, poor concentration, drug craving, fatigue, impaired memory, sore throat, coughing, and weight gain are withdrawal symptoms of a stimulant detox.

Heroin

Heroin withdrawal symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, muscle spasms, shaking, and a craving for drugs.

Cocaine

Withdrawal symptoms characteristics of cocaine include sleeplessness, increased appetite, agitation, anxiety, depression, fatigue, restlessness, chills, tremor, paranoia, decreased energy, and suicidal thoughts.

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids detox side effects include weakness, decrease in blood pressure, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, joint pain, lack of appetite, depression, and headaches.

Opioids

A patient detoxing from opioid substance abuse may experience high blood pressure, elevated body temperature, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bone and muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Alcohol

Signs and symptoms of alcohol detox include anxiety, headaches, insomnia, rapid abnormal breathing, fatigue, increased blood pressure, hallucination, seizures, and abnormally high body temperature.

Can You Detox at Home in Texas?

Yes, drug detox at home is possible. However, medical experts disapprove of detoxing at home or quitting cold turkey because of the risk of relapse.
Detox requires expert supervision for when unpleasant withdrawal symptoms start. Persons in a detox center get the necessary support to complete the process safely and successfully. On the other hand, this support is not always available for individuals detoxing at home.

What Is Rapid Detox?

Rapid detox is the rapid removal of toxic substances from the body, usually within a few hours. Generally, the process involves sedation, during which medications hasten the removal of addictive substances from the body.
In contrast to medical detox, rapid detox aims to bring the user from substance dependence to sobriety within a short time. However, despite its appeal, rapid detox is dangerous. Numerous adverse effects are associated with rapid detox, including heart attack, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and aggravation of co-occurring mental conditions. The risk of relapse and drug overdose is also high.
What's more, rapid detox is several times more expensive and often out of insurance coverage. The increased cost is because rapid detox requires an inpatient stay, sedation, and close monitoring.

Steps After Detox in Texas

Detoxification is the first step to full recovery from substance abuse disorder. Detox alone cannot keep an individual sober in the long run. After a Texas detox, a patient has the following options to maintain sobriety:

  • Medication-assisted treatment
  • Residential, inpatient, or partial hospitalization program
  • Intensive outpatient program
  • Outpatient treatment program
  • Sober living program
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment
    After a Texas detox, a patient can sign up for MAT to treat substance use disorder. Medication-assisted treatment involves using medications, therapy, and counseling adapted to meet the patient's needs to treat addictive substance abuse disorder. The goal of MAT is to sustain recovery.

Inpatient, Residential, or Partial Hospitalization Program

Patients may choose to sign up for a residential, inpatient, or partial hospitalization program after a Texas detox. These programs immerse a patient into recovery by providing a safe environment away from daily pressures and substance use triggers. Inpatient treatment programs offer 24 hours care and supervision in a hospital or treatment facility, while residential treatment happens in a home-like facility. In a partial hospitalization program, the individual returns home after daily treatment at the facility.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
With IOPs, patients can carry on their daily activities while receiving substance use treatment. The facility adapts the treatment to the patient's needs while still showing progress through milestones. IOPs effectively provide patients with a safe home environment and an adequate support system. IOPs offer group therapy, individual therapy, 12-step programs, and peer support group meetings.

Outpatient Treatment Program

The outpatient treatment program offers medication, counseling, education, and support group sessions throughout the week, offering the same service as an IOP but at a reduced intensity and shorter duration. Patients attend these meetings and return home after their daily sessions. The outpatient treatment programs work for mild substance abuse or addiction caught in the early stage.

Sober Living Program

After a Texas detox, patients can go into a sober living program. Sober living homes are private living arrangements that provide substance-free housing for persons recovering from addiction. The program allows its residents to transition from addiction treatment to independent living. Texas sober living programs do not give medical treatment. It is a program that renders peer support to individuals recovering from addiction to maintain sobriety.

Texas Detox Near Me

If you or your loved one is struggling with substance abuse disorder, treatment is available. You can call the SAMHSA's helpline at (800) 662-4357 to locate the recovery clinic or treatment center near you. All calls to the SAMHSA helpline are confidential and free.
Also, you can use SAMHSA's treatment locator to locate rehab programs with specific services assessed and rated by independent specialists. The locator displays the location and contact information of the facility. You will also find a list of various therapies, services, amenities, and payment options.