Guide
Free and Low-Cost Drug Detox in Houston: Public Programs, What Detox Costs, and Where to Start
Joint Commission accredited · In network with most major insurance · Admissions answered 24 hours a day
Published October 31, 2026
If you need detox in Houston and money is the problem, there are public programs built for exactly that. Whether you can get free care depends on your situation, but the first calls cost nothing and can be made today. This page lists the public entry points Texas Health and Human Services names for the Houston area, explains what they do, and sets out what medical detox at Briarwood’s Houston center costs with and without insurance.
Is there free drug detox in Houston?
Yes, for people who qualify. The Council on Recovery says its publicly funded programs serve people regardless of their ability to pay. Start there, at 855-942-4100.
The Council on Recovery is a nonprofit at 303 Jackson Hill St. in Houston. It provides outpatient recovery services and helps people and families connect to the right resources. It also accepts many insurance plans.
Texas Health and Human Services lists the Council as the contact for substance use services in its Houston region, with an OSAR line at 713-942-4100.
Source: The Place to Start, The Council on Recovery; Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral, Texas Health and Human Services.
How do you get screened for free treatment in Texas?
Call the OSAR line for your region. The only requirement, according to Texas Health and Human Services, is that you live in Texas. In the Houston area, call 713-942-4100.
OSAR stands for Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral. Staff work out what level of care you need and refer you to programs that fit. Texas Health and Human Services calls OSAR a starting point for anyone unsure where to begin.
The Houston-area OSAR serves Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton counties.
What about a mental health crisis in Houston?
Call The Harris Center’s 24/7 Crisis and Access Line at 713-970-7000. You can also call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.
The Harris Center is the public mental health provider for Harris County. It says no one is denied services because they cannot pay, and it offers a sliding fee schedule based on family size and income.
Where we are
Detox centers across Texas
Three locations, each with its own admissions line and its own clinical team. Pick the one nearest you — or call and we will tell you which has a bed tonight.
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Inpatient Austin, TX
11711 N Lamar Blvd · 78753
- 15 beds
- On-site labs
- 24-hour medical staff
Drug & Alcohol Detox in Austin, TX
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Inpatient Houston, TX
1019 Ashland St · 77008
- On-site labs
- 24-hour medical staff
Drug Detox Center in Houston, TX
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Outpatient San Antonio, TX
6707 W Hausman Rd · 78249
- Outpatient detox with scheduled medical visits
- Outpatient treatment
Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Detox in San Antonio
How much does medical detox cost in Houston?
Inpatient detox at Briarwood’s Houston center costs $900 a day, or $4,500 to $6,300 for a typical five to seven day stay without insurance. Medicines and labs are billed separately.
With insurance, most people pay between $0 and $5,000 out of pocket, depending on how much of the deductible is already met. Briarwood accepts commercial insurance, TRICARE and VA benefits. It does not accept Medicare or Medicaid, so people with Medicaid should start with the Council on Recovery or the OSAR line.
The cost and insurance page has the full price list, and a free benefit check shows your coverage in about two minutes.
What happens at Briarwood’s Houston detox center?
Detox at Briarwood’s Houston center starts with a medical assessment, then a nurse on site around the clock, a physician on call, and medicine the medical team adjusts as withdrawal develops.
The center is at 1019 Ashland St. in the Greater Heights. Vital signs are checked every four hours for the first 72 hours, and most stays last five to seven days. Before you leave, a counselor arranges the next step, such as an intensive outpatient program in Houston, residential treatment or sober living.
The Houston detox center page has photos, the map and what a stay looks like.
Is it safe to detox at home to save money?
Not always. Withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can be dangerous, and opioid withdrawal raises the risk of overdose afterward because tolerance drops.
The National Library of Medicine warns that alcohol withdrawal can quickly become life threatening, and that most opioid overdose deaths happen in people who have just detoxed. If you cannot afford a detox stay, call the OSAR line before stopping on your own, so someone can advise on the risk.
Source: Alcohol withdrawal and Opiate and opioid withdrawal, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
What other free help is there?
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is free and answers 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. It refers people without insurance to state-funded programs and sliding-scale facilities.
FindTreatment.gov, also from SAMHSA, lets you search Houston programs by payment type, including ones that accept Medicaid.
Source: SAMHSA’s National Helpline; FindTreatment.gov.
Common Questions
Is there free drug detox in Houston?+–
For people who qualify, yes. The Council on Recovery says its publicly funded programs serve people regardless of ability to pay. Call 855-942-4100.
How do I get state-funded rehab in Houston?+–
Call the Houston-area OSAR line at 713-942-4100. Texas Health and Human Services says the only requirement is living in Texas.
How much does detox cost in Houston without insurance?+–
Inpatient detox at Briarwood's Houston center is $900 a day, or $4,500 to $6,300 for a typical stay. Medicines and labs are billed separately.
Does Briarwood accept Medicaid in Houston?+–
No. Briarwood accepts commercial insurance, TRICARE and VA benefits. People with Medicaid can start with the Council on Recovery or the OSAR line.
Who do I call in a mental health crisis in Houston?+–
The Harris Center's 24/7 Crisis and Access Line, 713-970-7000, or call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
Can I call Briarwood about detox in Houston?+–
Yes. Briarwood's admissions line answers 24 hours a day and can check your insurance and explain what a stay involves.
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About the people behind this guide
Anna-Grace Washington
Medical Content Writer
Anna-Grace Washington is a Medical Content Writer for Briarwood Detox Center. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Texas and brings a strong understanding of behavioral health, addiction recovery, and evidence-based treatment concepts to her writing.
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