State-funded rehab in Texas: how to get it in Dallas

Who can get it

For adult residential and outpatient programs, Texas Health and Human Services lists these basics: you live in Texas, you are 18 or older, and you have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Money help depends on your income, your expenses and your other resources. In some cases you may have to pay part of the cost.

This is separate from Medicaid. You do not need Medicaid to apply, and the rules on income are not the same. Many adults who cannot get Texas Medicaid may still be able to get state-funded care.

Teens ages 13 to 17 have separate state-funded youth programs. See treatment for teens.

What it can include

The state funds several kinds of care through local programs. These include withdrawal management, residential treatment, outpatient counseling and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Texas also funds residential programs for women who are pregnant or have children, and recovery support services.

Not every program offers all of this, and not every Dallas program takes state funding. OSAR can tell you which ones do. The programs in our Dallas list do not all say whether they take state funds, so ask when you call. For people with opioid use disorder, ask about medication-assisted treatment by name.

What OSAR does

OSAR stands for Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral. Screening means a short set of questions to see what help you may need. An assessment goes deeper. Texas says OSAR is open to anyone looking for information about substance use services, and the only requirement is that you live in Texas.

For Dallas County, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority runs OSAR. You can also call a state-funded program directly, or dial 2-1-1 Texas for help. North Texas Behavioral Health Authority is also the local behavioral health authority, the public agency that oversees this kind of care in the area.

Before you call, it helps to know what you use, how much and how often, plus your income and any coverage you have. Ask what papers to bring to your first visit, such as proof of income or where you live.

If there is a wait

Public programs may have a wait, and it can change from week to week. Ask OSAR what to do in the meantime. If you have been using every day, ask a doctor if it is safe to stop or cut back while you wait. If someone is in danger, see who to call.