Addiction Treatment Center in Longview TX
Substance Use Disorder in Texas on the Rise
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a compulsive need to use a substance despite harmful consequences. Affecting millions globally, it is a complex and evolving condition that has touched every region, demographic, and economic class.
Substance use in the United States has been on the rise for over a decade due to a variety of factors. With its large and diverse population, Texas has become a microcosm of the widespread problem with an estimated eight out of every 100 people having a SUD
Approximately 1.65 million adults who live in the Lone Star state have a substance use disorder (SUD) — a number comparable to the number of residents experiencing depression annually. This overlap is no coincidence. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that nearly 1 in 4 adults with a mental health condition also struggles with substance use. These co-occurring disorders make diagnosis and treatment a dynamic undertaking which can lead to more severe health outcomes if left untreated.
In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a public health emergency, marking a significant shift in federal involvement with treatment, prevention, and harm reduction. Yet, the situation continued to deteriorate, reaching unprecedented levels. In 2020, opioid overdoses were the majority of drug-related deaths, claiming the lives of almost 69,000 people. 75% of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involved opioids in 2021. In 2023, numbers peaked with the highest death toll on record when opioids stole the lives of 83,140 people.
Texas is among the worst states when it comes to illegal drug use among adults with one in every five SUD cases being drug-related. Over the decade from 2011 to 2021, the total drug overdose death rate in Texas increased from 10.1 to 16.8 per 100,000. Overdoses caused specifically by opioids went from 4.6 per 100,000 in 2011 to 9.4 per 100,000 in 2021, totaling 2,770 opioid overdose deaths in Texas that year — 56% of all drug overdose deaths in the state.
In addition to opioid misuse, methamphetamine and cocaine continue to pose serious threats across Texas. Border proximity and trafficking routes contribute to drug availability, while systemic challenges, like limited mental health care access, exacerbate the crisis. In 2021, Texas also saw an 89% increase in fentanyl-related deaths from the year prior, which is up to 50 times more potent than heroin.
Adults are not the only ones struggling with substance use disorder. Nearly 140,000 Texans aged 12 to 17 have a SUD. More than half of Texas students in grades 7-12 have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives and nearly one-third of these youths are currently using alcohol.
According to 65% of high school seniors, alcohol is “easy” to obtain. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug among middle and high school students in Texas with 22% claiming they have used it at some point and 14% saying they’ve used it in the past 30 days.
If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder and are ready for a healthier future, seeking treatment is of the utmost importance. Professional help comes with safety, structure, and a community of people who want to see you succeed.
Hickory Recovery Network has a residential treatment center located in Longview, Texas that offers comprehensive inpatient programs for drugs, alcohol, and co-occurring conditions. Customized treatment that is tailored for each patient helps guide individuals towards a lasting recovery.
For more information, reach out to the call center at 1-800-896-9556 anytime, day or night. Or, contact via email at TexasReferrals@HickoryRecovery.com