Detox Centers in Waco, Texas

Waco is a large city in McLennan County, Texas, with a population of 137,779.¹ Waco is known for its historic neighborhoods and is the home of Baylor University. It also has a dense suburban feel with plenty of parks, things to do, and above-average public schools.¹ This makes it an excellent place for young professionals and families alike.

Despite the many advantages of living in Waco, the entire state of Texas is disproportionately affected by the trafficking of illicit substances. This is due to the fact that the Texas-Mexico border is vast, and illicit substances are also brought in through seaports, making trafficking trends and patterns unpredictable.²

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Field Division has broken down the issue by region, with the Houston division covering Waco, among the state’s other northwestern cities.² According to the most recent report on substance use patterns and trends in Texas, here’s how illicit substances are moving and being used throughout the Houston division and the rest of the state:²

• Methamphetamine has been reported as the largest illicit substance threat to the state, with cocaine being the second largest threat in Waco.²
• Despite the increasing cases of substance use disorders involving both methamphetamine and cocaine, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is still not available.²
• There were 576 poison center calls made for methamphetamine overdoses in 2018.²
• There were 951 methamphetamine-related fatalities in 2018.²
• Heroin accounted for 272 emergency department calls as well as 684 heroin-related fatalities in 2018.²
• Cocaine also accounted for up to 445 emergency calls and 886 overdose-related fatalities in 2018.²
• Aside from methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, the DEA also recognizes non-heroin opioids, prescription and otherwise, as an emerging threat to the entire state of Texas.²

The best way to prevent an emergency department visit from happening, or worse—a fatal drug overdose—is to seek professional treatment as soon as possible. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a substance use disorder in Waco, there are approximately 7 treatment facilities in the area (a 25-mile radius).³

Here’s a look at what’s offered among these nearby treatment facilities:³

• 4 facilities offer an outpatient program.
• 3 facilities offer a residential program.
• 8 facilities offer interim care.
• 5 facilities offer co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

If this is your first time considering treatment for yourself or someone else, it’s important to know that you have plenty of options. It’s also important that you search for a treatment facility that suits your needs.

There are 148 treatment facilities within a 100-mile radius of Waco, which vastly expands your options.³ Of those facilities, 128 offer outpatient treatment, 32 offer residential care programs, and 78 facilities offer interim care in the event that residential space is unavailable.³

It’s a good idea to consult your primary healthcare physician to evaluate your condition and the severity of your substance use disorder. This way, they can make an appropriate treatment recommendation for you.

If you have a substance use disorder or know someone else who does, you’ve likely heard of the group meetings sponsored by Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). NA and AA offer daily peer support group meetings at various locations throughout Waco, and they’re excellent for building a foundation of support to help people through their substance use struggles.

You can find the locations and schedules for these NA or AA meetings in Waco using the following resources:

• Central Texas AA Intergroup Meetings
• NAMI Waco, Texas Support Group Meetings
• District 5 AA Meetings

NA and AA support group meetings are typically a mandatory part of substance use disorder treatment and recovery. They are not, however, substitutes for professional treatment from a licensed facility.

Sources:

1. Niche.com. (n.d.). Waco.
2. Maxwell, Jane Carlisle, Ph. D. (2019). State of texas drug use patterns and trends.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). Results.