Alcohol & Drug Rehabs in Austin, Texas

The cost of addiction treatment at Austin drug rehabs varies based on several factors, including:

• The setting you choose (inpatient/residential vs. outpatient)
• The specifics of your program (whether you need dual diagnosis treatment and/or other specialized services)
• Duration of your program (30 vs. 90 days or longer)
• Which insurance providers and plans the facility accepts
• The features and amenities the facility offers (luxury accommodations and holistic therapies vs. standard features and approaches)
• Whether the facility receives government funding
• The location of the facility (private, secluded setting vs. inner-city setting)

Generally, outpatient programs are less costly than residential programs since outpatient care does not require you to pay for room and board. Luxury rehabs—those that offer private accommodations, holistic therapies, and other upscale features—typically also cost more than facilities that provide standard features and approaches.

Austin alcohol rehabs that receive city, state, or federal funding, as well as non-profit treatment centers, typically offer sliding-scale fees for individuals who qualify. These facilities may also offer other forms of payment assistance that can help make getting help significantly more affordable.

State-funded facilities and detox centers in Austin are funded by tax dollars. These facilities get money from the government through grants and other sources. Those funds allow them to provide free or reduced-cost services to people who would be otherwise unable to afford care.

To qualify for low-cost or free care at a state-funded facility, you may be asked to prove that you:

• Are a legal resident of the United States
• Are a citizen of Texas
• Do not have insurance
• Need reduced-cost or free services based on your income

Because state-funded facilities have limited capacity, you may need to wait for an opening to get into one of these treatment centers. Once enrolled, you’ll receive quality, evidence-based care from credentialed and qualified professionals who will help you work toward recovery.

If you have health insurance, your plan can significantly reduce your costs. According to the Affordable Care Act, addiction treatment is an essential health benefit.³ As such, both health insurance providers must provide some degree of coverage for rehab. Whether you have private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, you can use your plan to help cover the cost of care.

However, not all Austin drug rehabs accept all forms of insurance. You’ll need to verify your coverage with each facility to determine whether your insurance can help reduce your costs.

If you lack insurance or do not qualify for free or reduced-cost care, you can still get help.

Many facilities offer payment options and financial assistance resources that can help spread out the cost of treatment or reduce the cost of your care.

Choose a Program That Offers Payment Plans

Some drug and alcohol rehab centers in Austin offer payment plans, which work much like the type of financing you’d get if you were to apply for a loan. Payment plans may be offered by the facility itself or through a third-party lender who creates a loan package for you.

To get approved for a payment plan, you’ll need to provide proof of income along with your credit history. If you qualify for this type of financing, you’ll make regular payments toward the total balance of your costs until you’ve paid off your loan. Typically, payment plans allow you to start making payments after your program ends.

Apply for a Scholarship

If you need help covering the cost of drug rehab in Austin, you may be able to get a scholarship that helps cover your costs. Certain facilities offer their own in-house scholarships, while others award funds provided by third-party foundations. A scholarship may cover either a portion or the entirety of your total program costs, depending on the facility and funding organization.

To apply and get approved for a scholarship, you’ll need to demonstrate significant financial need. You’ll likely also need to provide information on any other steps you’ve taken to obtain financial aid. Generally, scholarship applications also involve a screening to determine whether you meet application requirements.

Find a Sliding-Scale Program

Sliding-scale programs make addiction treatment more affordable by basing costs on your ability to pay. To determine your out-of-pocket costs, these programs consider your income, financial obligations, and other situational factors. But to qualify for reduced-cost services, you’ll first need to provide proof of income. If the facility determines you can only afford to cover a small portion of your care, that’s all you’ll ultimately need to pay.

Austin is located in Travis County, Texas, where adult and teen alcohol and drug use are serious concerns. Substance use rates in Central Texas are consistently higher than in other parts of Texas and the United States as a whole.¹ Austin substance abuse statistics of note include:^1,2

In 2015, 60% of Travis County Jail inmates had alcohol or drug problems.

34% of Travis County traffic fatalities involved alcohol.

17% of high school students reported abusing a prescription drug in 2021.

27% of Central Texans report at least one instance of binge drinking per month.

Your addiction status, history of substance use, financial situation, and other factors will determine whether inpatient or outpatient care is best for your needs. Each setting is designed to accommodate people with varying severities of addiction and/or mental health concerns.

Here’s what you should know about inpatient versus outpatient care and the benefits of each setting:

Medical Detox is the process of removing all drugs and alcohol from your system. A professional detox can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and keep you comfortable and safe during withdrawal.

Inpatient addiction treatment, also known as residential rehab, involves living at the facility for the duration of your program. Depending on your needs, that may be anywhere from 30-90 days or longer if your team deems it necessary.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) provide several hours of addiction therapy per day. You’ll likely attend five to seven intensive weekly sessions while participating in a PHP.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are a step up in intensity from standard outpatient treatment. IOPs involve three to five weekly sessions and several hours of therapy per week.

Standard Outpatient Treatment is the least intensive and typically involves one to two weekly meetings and a few hours of weekly therapy.

Aftercare is a form of ongoing support that can help you maintain your sobriety and helps prevent relapse. You may continue going to therapy and/or attend support groups.

There are many types of alcohol and drug rehabs in Austin, some of which focus on providing specialty services or unique approaches to care.

Holistic Austin drug rehabs take a “whole person” approach to addiction treatment. This means they focus on treating both the body and mind to provide a comprehensive approach to healing. These programs often also provide unique therapies, such as yoga, meditation, equine therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, nature therapy, and wilderness therapy.

Christian and faith-based rehabs provide a spiritual foundation for substance abuse recovery and incorporate religious philosophies. These programs focus on addressing people’s medical and spiritual needs as they work through their recovery.

Luxury facilities provide many of the same addiction therapies as standard rehabs. But unlike standard addiction treatment centers, luxury facilities also provide access to a variety of upscale amenities and, often, holistic therapies. These may include luxurious, private accommodations, concierge services, gourmet meals, pools and spa treatments, and recreational facilities and outings.

Executive programs cater to the unique needs of professionals with addiction and/or mental health disorders. Many working professionals, especially those in high-level positions, fear job loss or negative career repercussions as a result of going to addiction treatment. Many also fear damage to their reputation and are hesitant to seek help as a result.

Dual-Diagnosis treatment is for people with addiction who also have a co-occurring mental disorder, such as major depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and others. It’s estimated that approximately one in four individuals with a substance use disorder also lives with a co-occurring mental health disorder.⁴

Drug and alcohol rehabs in Austin use a variety of addiction therapies to help people work toward recovery. Depending on the facility and their approach to treatment, any of the following therapies may be offered.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy in which individuals and counselors work to identify thought patterns that lead to unwanted behaviors. CBT is often used to address both substance use and mental health disorders and is frequently combined with other therapies. As a blend of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy, CBT helps people learn how to solve their problems by teaching them to examine both their thoughts and actions. Ultimately, this form of therapy helps people learn how to modify beliefs and resulting actions in a healthy way.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. In DBT, patients focus on accepting and validating uncomfortable feelings and beliefs and learning skills to change unwanted thoughts and behaviors.⁹

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a form of counseling designed to evoke your intrinsic motivation to change.¹⁰ MET helps people work through resistance to treatment and encourages people to believe in their ability to change and accomplish their goals. This type of therapy also helps people learn how to develop and express empathy and recognize disparities between their thoughts and actions.

Contingency Management (CM) can be a highly effective approach to treating substance use and mental health disorders. This type of behavioral therapy focuses on reinforcing or rewarding people for positive behavioral change.¹¹ Incentives can vary based on the treatment program but often involve some form of monetary reward or prize for the completion of treatment milestones.

Group Therapy offers several benefits for people working toward addiction recovery, including peer support and reduced isolation in treatment. Therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors deliver this type of therapy in a small group setting of individuals who share common problems. Skill development, CBT, and education may be included in group therapy sessions.

Family Therapy involves family members or other loved ones in your addiction recovery process. This type of therapy is designed to teach family members about the important, supportive role they play in your recovery from substance abuse. Treatment sessions target the family as a whole rather than just the individual receiving addiction therapy. Building a supportive connection between family members via therapy can help strengthen your ability to heal from addiction.

You may want to travel to drug rehabs or detox centers in Austin if getting out of your day-to-day environment will help you focus more intensely on your recovery. Removing everyday social situations, triggers, and stressors from your life may help you better commit to your addiction treatment program. Traveling to a drug or alcohol rehab in Austin may also be right for your needs if your insurance covers treatment at a facility in the city.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering traveling:

• You prefer the climate of Austin or need a change of scenery
• You want to attend a particular facility or detox center
• You have family or friends who live there and can provide support
• Your insurance covers treatment in Austin

1. TRAVIS COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER ANNUAL REPORT 2021. (n.d.). Annual Report.
2. FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov. 
3. Austin Travis County Integral Care. (2015). Travis County Plan for Substance Use Disorders.
4. Austin Travis County Integral Care. (2021). Travis County Plan for Children’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse, 2021.
5. Office of National Drug Policy. (n.d.). Substance Abuse and the Affordable Care Act.
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). The Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness.
7. Middle East Current Psychiatry. (2020). Assessment of anxiety ad depression among substance use disorder patients: a case-control study.
8. National Library of Medicine, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. (2012). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders: Advances in Assessment and Treatment.
9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). An Introduction to Bipolar Disorder and Co-Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders.
10. National Library of Medicine, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. (2018). Comorbidity of Personality Disorder Among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review.
11. National Library of Medicine, Psychiatry (Edgmont). (2006). Dialectal Behavior Therapy.
12. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Motivational Enhancement Therapy (Alcohol, Marijuana, Nicotine).
13. National Library of Medicine, Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2011). Contingency management: what it is and why psychiatrists should want to use it.
14. Texas Legislature Online. (2017) Bill Text.