Drug & Alcohol Statistics for Dallas, TX
How Has Substance Abuse Impacted Dallas, TX?
Substance abuse has taken a toll on countless communities and families all across the United States. It’s devastating to see the impact it has had. But have you stopped to think about how it affects our own community here in Dallas? In this article, we’ll dig into the drug & alcohol statistics for Dallas, TX. We will explore what’s going on in our own backyard and how it compares to the rest of the state.
Drug Abuse in Dallas
The drug crisis in Dallas ranges from adults all the way to 12 year old children. A recent study found that annually 641,000 people in Dallas use an illicit drug. That accounts for 13.2% of the Dallas population. This is higher than the entire state of Texas (12.6%) and is close to the national average (14.7%).
The University of Texas at Austin conducted a study to find the most used drugs in Dallas, Texas. The top five drug threats are:
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Pharmaceuticals
- Cocaine
- Cannabis
The fastest growing drug threat to Dallas is methamphetamine. It’s attractive to many individuals because of its high purity, low cost, and incredibly intense and long-lasting effects on the body.
The specific pharmaceutical that’s pouring into Dallas, TX at an alarming rate is fentanyl. According to the Dallas chief of police, in the past year, his officers confiscated a staggering amount of fentanyl that was enough to kill thousands of people.
Success Stories and Recovery Journeys
...Pretty much every place will promise you a “mind, body, soul” approach to recovery, but this is the only place I’ve been that truly delivers on that promise. Renewal Lodge’s program has a double-emphasis on Buddhist-inspired mindfulness skills and techniques, combined with a traditional Big Book/12 Step education.
...I loved all the scheduled meditations, the staff is fantastic and the food is good. I have never been to treatment before so I was anxious when I arrived. The facility, other patients and environment overall put my nerves at ease. I have had a great experience here and would highly recommend Renewal Lodge to my friends and family or anyone seeking treatment.
...I know that sounds dramatic but I came in here as a hopeless alcoholic with crushing depression and paralyzing anxiety I'm leaving this Sunday and I feel like a completely different person. I can't wait to start my life. They don't just sell sobriety here, but a way into true, meaningful, purposeful, lasting happiness
...Renewal Lodge helped me find that missing piece which was discovered by learning and practicing mindfulness. The MIR programming (Mindfulness in Recovery) was an absolute game changer. Anyone struggling to put the pieces together would benefit greatly from Renewal Lodge.
...the start of my time I was very guarded and scared to open up but I soon learned it was a safe haven with the meditation and mindfulness experience it has by far surpassed any other treatment plan in the past.
Dallas Highways Contribute To Illicit Drug Abuse
With its extensive network of over 30 major roads, including interstates, US routes, and state highways, Dallas is a major drug distribution center. Drug traffickers across the US specifically come to Dallas to get drugs from local suppliers, taking advantage of the city’s strategic location and accessibility. Dallas receives drug shipments primarily through Laredo and El Paso, with increasing amounts coming from California, Arizona, and Houston.
Alcohol Abuse in Dallas, TX
Alcohol abuse in the state of Texas is a pressing issue. Over 1 million Texans suffer from alcohol abuse annually.
It’s reported that in Dallas, 22.5% of individuals from 12 years old and up engage in binge drinking in a year. This contributes heavily to rates of alcohol related deaths in Dallas. The amount of deaths have steadily increased and is now higher than the entire state of Texas.
The number of fatalities due to drunk driving has risen as well. Studies have found that Dallas drivers choose to drive while intoxicated more often than intoxicated drivers in other parts of the county. Dallas ranks fifth in drunk driving deaths among the 25 largest US cities from 2001 to 2010, and fourth in overall traffic fatalities.
Drug and Alcohol-Related Overdoses in Dallas
The increase in deaths due to overdoses in Texas is troubling. According to recent statistics, overdose deaths have increased by 33% in Texas one year which is more than 4,000 people.
Because of the rise in fentanyl abuse in Dallas, more and more overdose deaths have been linked to fentanyl and fentanyl laced in other pills. A fatal dose of fentanyl is only 2 milligrams and the Dallas police seized nearly 400,000 milligrams in a single year.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The causes and contributing factors of substance abuse in Dallas, TX, are multifaceted, deeply rooted in a combination of socioeconomic factors and psychological influences. Socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education, often create an environment where drug and alcohol use appear as a temporary escape from daily struggles. This is exacerbated by disparities in access to healthcare and support services, leaving those in economically disadvantaged positions more vulnerable to substance abuse.
Additionally, psychological factors play a significant role. Individuals dealing with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, may turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. The impact of social influences cannot be overlooked either; peer pressure, family dynamics, and exposure to substance use at a young age significantly increase the risk of developing addictive behaviors.
These interwoven socioeconomic and psychological elements create a complex landscape that fuels the ongoing challenge of substance abuse in Dallas.
Government Policies and Initiatives
The state of Texas, including the city of Dallas, has implemented several key policies and initiatives to address substance abuse:
DSHS Action Plan to Address Substance Use (2020-2023): Launched in 2020, this three-year action plan, coordinated by the Community Health Improvement Division, focuses on addressing substance use throughout Texas, including Dallas. The plan was developed collaboratively with various partners and stakeholders and has shown significant progress as part of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) programming.
Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan (2022-2026): This strategic plan encompasses a statewide approach to reduce and prevent justice involvement among those with behavioral health needs, including substance use disorders. It represents a comprehensive strategy over a four-year period, starting from fiscal year 2022, and is part of the broader framework established during the 84th Legislative Session in 2015.
88th Texas Legislature Initiatives (2023): The 88th Legislative Session, beginning in January 2023, presents further opportunities to address mental health and substance use issues in Texas. These initiatives aim to improve the state’s response to the needs of people living with mental health conditions, including intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and substance use disorders.
Behavioral Health Services Grants (2024/2025): In August 2023, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission sought public comments for the Federal Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Combined Mental Health Block Grant. This grant focuses on Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services, and includes a comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan.
Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR): This public health initiative is dedicated to saving lives and providing ongoing support to Texans struggling with opioid and stimulant use disorders. TTOR expands access to prevention, integrated treatment, and recovery support services, showcasing the state’s commitment to addressing specific substance use challenges with targeted responses.
These policies and initiatives reflect a multi-faceted approach by the Texas government, including efforts within Dallas, to tackle the complex issues surrounding substance abuse. They encompass a range of strategies from prevention and treatment to recovery support, highlighting the state’s commitment to addressing this critical public health challenge.
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center for Dallas
Renewal Lodge is an inpatient rehab serving Dallas, TX. We create individualized treatment plans for patient and provide programs such as:
Mindfulness in Recovery Treatment
Mindfulness helps rebuild and restore healthy neural pathways in the brain.
Emotional Intelligence Training
Patients reshape their entire lives through learning emotional intelligence.
The Family Program
Families heal by receiving knowledge and support surrounding addiction and recovery.
Aftercare
For each patient, we create outcare treatment plans to ensure ongoing support is always available.
Located in scenic Elgin, Texas, our addiction treatment center is conveniently near Austin, TX, and merely a 3 hour drive from Dallas.
We empower our patients to triumph over substance abuse.
