An overview of drug treatment and recovery programs in Dallas
Every year, thousands of individuals with substance misuse issues make their way to different Dallas drug rehab centers. While drug use in Texas isn’t seen to be as serious of an issue as it is in other states, that isn’t to say that it is unaffected by the drug problem that has plagued the country for decades.
Dallas, in particular, has recently seen a rise in opioid use disorders. The DEA also considers Dallas to be a “meth hub” after several seizures in the past year. And as with the rest of the United States, the Dallas-Forth Worth-Arlington metro has seen a steady increase in the misuse of prescription medication. And while alcohol consumption has dropped over the past decade, alcohol use disorders continue to be a serious issue in the area.
The Dallas metro also has a problem that isn’t typical of other major American urban centers. Its proximity to the border has made it a major transshipment point for all kinds of illicit drugs.
Seizures of cannabis, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and other controlled substances bound for other points in North America have become a commonplace occurrence in Dallas in recent years. As a result, many groups that smuggle drugs into the US often choose to just sell their products in Dallas to mitigate their risks.
This means drugs are often comparatively cheap and and popular in Dallas compared to other major metropolitan areas, giving it a drug abuse problem more serious than other parts of Texas. Thankfully, clinicians at drug rehab centers in Dallas have become experienced at helping recovering individuals stay sober for the rest of their lives.
What are the best drug recovery options?
The best strategies for tackling a drug use problem all depends on the individual and the context of their drug use. While all habit-forming drugs can broadly affect a person’s behavior in a similar way, their drugs of choice as well as their unique circumstances should all be taken into account when choosing a course of treatment or a rehab facility.
Most drug rehab and recovery strategies aim to do two things. The first priority is normally to stabilize a patient’s condition. People who have had substance use disorders for years may also have underlying health and psychiatric issues caused by their drug use.
Drug withdrawal management (sometimes called “detox”) may be recommended to help a patient comfortably expel chemical traces of a dangerous drug in their body. The abrupt withdrawal from some classes of drugs such as alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines may cause serious harm to a patient, so a physician may recommend progressively lowered doses of similar drugs to help wean the patient safely.
If the individual in rehab has an underlying medical issue such as HIV or malnutrition, the appropriate medical intervention will be given as well. If the patient is experiencing suicidal thoughts, is violent, or in danger of hurting themself or others, they may be closely monitored for their safety.
The second priority will be to ensure that the individual undergoing rehab does not relapse. Long-term drug use can severely affect the brain’s reward pathways, which often means that cravings will remain for some time, even after all chemical traces of a drug have been expelled from the body.
Counseling and behavioral therapy can help offset or even eliminate these effects on the brain. However, this part of recovery can take months or even years, often requiring the individual to try out different types of therapy to find out which ones are the most effective for their situation.
What drug recovery therapies are available in Dallas?
As a major metropolitan area, Dallas is fortunate to host several recovery facilities and psychiatric practices offering a wide range of mainstream and alternative therapies.
Most drug rehabilitation centers in Dallas offer individual and group counseling as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, contingent management, as well as other practices widely accepted to be effective at producing good long-term results.
Alternative therapies that could help supplement these mainstream practices are available as well. Yoga, art, and outdoor therapy is offered by some rehab centers and clinicians based in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. Support groups like Dallas-based chapters of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can help recovering individuals avoid relapse by letting them share experiences with like-minded people.
No one has to struggle alone. Dallas Drug Treatment Centers has the expertise and the experience to help you find rehab centers in North Texas that meet all your recovery needs. Call us today at (214) 935-2287 to learn more about your options.