Treatment by substance in Dallas
What care usually looks like for each substance, and where to start.
The short answer
Treatment by substance in Dallas differs mostly in one way: medication. Some substances have approved medicines for treatment, and others do not. Counseling is used for all of them.
Choose a substance
- AlcoholWithdrawal safety, medication and counseling.
- Opioids and fentanylMedication for opioid use disorder, and naloxone.
- MethNo approved medication. Behavioral treatment comes first.
- CocaineNo approved medication. Counseling-based care.
- BenzodiazepinesWhy stopping needs a doctor’s help.
- MarijuanaCannabis use disorder and how it is treated.
Why the substance matters
Three things change with the substance: how risky withdrawal can be, whether a medicine can help, and which therapy is often used. Withdrawal is the sickness that can come when the body adjusts to less of a substance. Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous, so talk to a doctor before stopping either one.
Approved medicines exist for alcohol and opioid use disorder. A use disorder is the medical term for addiction. For meth, cocaine and marijuana, NIDA says no medicine has FDA approval, so treatment relies on behavioral therapy. That means counseling that helps a person change patterns of use. NIDA says the same about addiction to benzodiazepines, and a doctor can help with a safe, slow reduction in dose.
What stays the same
Whatever the substance, NIDA says addiction is a treatable medical condition, and that people may need long-term care or more than one round of treatment. Most care uses one-on-one, group or family counseling. If you have a mental health condition too, it is usually better to treat both at the same time. See dual diagnosis.
The levels of care are also the same: detox, residential, day programs and outpatient visits. Types of care explains each one.
If more than one substance is involved
Many people use more than one substance, and that is worth telling any provider. It can change how withdrawal is handled and which medicines are safe. NIDA notes that fentanyl can be a hidden ingredient in other illegal drugs, including cocaine and meth. So a person may take an opioid without knowing it.
Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose, so it can matter even for people who do not think they use opioids. See opioids and fentanyl for how it works. In an emergency, call 911.
Where to get a first opinion
A doctor can help you work out what is safe. If you do not have one, the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free and open all day and night. In Dallas County, the OSAR line at 844-275-0600 offers screening and referral. Tell them what you use, how much and how often, as well as you can. Honest answers help them plan safe care.
Questions to ask any program
- Do you treat people who use this substance?
- Do you offer medication for it?
- Is a doctor or nurse on site?
- Do you take my insurance?
Common questions
Do I need a program that treats only one substance?
Usually not. Many programs treat several substances. Ask how much experience a program has with yours, and whether it offers the medicine you may need.
Why are there no medicines for some substances?
Researchers are still looking for them. For now, NIDA says behavioral treatment is the main option for meth and cocaine use disorder, and it can help.
Is any substance easier to treat?
It is hard to compare. Everyone’s health and history are different, and treatment depends on much more than the substance. Avoid programs that promise a set result. See does rehab work.
How do I find a Dallas program for my substance?
Start with the Dallas programs list. It shows levels of care, so call and ask which substances each program treats. You can also search the federal site, findtreatment.gov.
