Substance Abuse Stats for the City of Austin, Texas
Substance abuse is a serious problem for Austin, Texas. This city is located in Travis County, where:
- 146 people died from drug overdose in 2017.
- The annual rate of drug overdose fatality for 2017 was 11.9 per 100,000 residents.
- Although lower than the national average, the annual rate of drug overdose death is still higher than the state average.
Drug dependence affects more than 1 in 50 people over the age of 12 in Travis County. Fortunately, 26 facilities in Travis County provide substance abuse treatment.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
If you need the highest level of care available, inpatient rehab is probably the best choice. With inpatient rehab, you will be supervised and supported at all times of the day and night.
If you don’t need continuous supervision and support, outpatient rehab may be the best choice. With outpatient treatment, you will have more freedom.
In some cases, it may be best to begin with an inpatient rehab program and transition to outpatient care later.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
Studies have shown that a successful recovery is most likely with rehab programs that are at least 90 days long. However, shorter programs are also available.
Shorter programs may be less expensive and more convenient, but it isn’t worth the risk to your recovery. To give yourself the best chance of getting better, opt for a longer program if at all possible.
After completing the initial phase of treatment, some clients even choose to continue outpatient care indefinitely.
What to Expect at Rehab
As a client entering rehab, it’s normal to wonder what you should expect. However, every rehab center is different. In fact, the best rehab programs offer customized services, which means that each client’s experience will be unique.
Some of the treatments you may receive in rehab include:
- Counseling and therapy – You may participate in counseling and/or behavioral therapy sessions to help you build coping skills.
- Support groups – Support from peers can help you recover more effectively.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Detox is the most difficult part of addiction recovery for many clients. During this time, you will experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms. To help with this process, you may decide to go to a professional detox program.
In many cases, your care provider will recommend or even require a detox program. Your rehab facility is not equipped to help you through this process.
If detox is recommended for you, it is best to go. Otherwise, you may have a higher risk of relapse.
How Long is Detox?
Detox programs may be as short as three days, or they may last for several weeks. The length of your program will depend on your specific situation.
For example, if you are taking stimulants, you may need to spend a longer period in detox. Likewise, if your metabolism is slow and/or you have certain chronic health conditions, more time in detox may be necessary. Finally, heavy drug use almost always requires a longer detox program.