Chronic Pain and Addiction Treatment in Austin

How is chronic pain treated when someone also has a substance use disorder?

When someone has chronic pain and a substance use disorder, coordinated care means the pain clinician and the addiction clinician work from a shared plan rather than separately. In Austin, an addiction program might talk with your pain doctor about medicines, physical therapy and counseling at the same time.

Long-term opioid use is not the same as a use disorder. Physical dependence can develop with prescribed use, and only a clinician can tell the two apart. Buprenorphine and methadone treat opioid use disorder, and buprenorphine also eases pain, while non-opioid medicines and psychological care can round out a plan.

Cutting long-term opioid or benzodiazepine prescriptions sharply on your own can be dangerous, so any taper belongs in a plan with the prescribing clinician. Benzodiazepines are not a pain treatment and carry added risk alongside opioids.

Mount Bonnell is the nearest named summit for each listed program, a median of 4.9 miles away. Most programs sit within 25 miles of the Pedernales River, and reach extends to Round Rock, Manor and Buda. Rail service is limited, so most people get to appointments by CapMetro bus.

Is it safe to stop or reduce pain medication on my own?

Stopping or sharply cutting long-term opioid or benzodiazepine prescriptions on your own can be dangerous. Plan any taper with the clinician who prescribes them. Benzodiazepines are not a pain treatment, and they carry their own risks, especially when combined with opioids.

Medication for opioid use disorder includes buprenorphine and methadone. Buprenorphine also has pain-relieving effects. Other options include non-opioid medicines and non-drug approaches such as physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychological care. Your clinicians decide which options fit. Austin listings for buprenorphine (Suboxone) clinics and methadone clinics show who offers each.

Texas law lets prescribers prescribe naloxone directly or through a standing order. The prescription can go to a person at risk of overdose or to family and friends who could help. Austin-Travis County EMS runs a Community Health Paramedic program with an opioid use disorder support service, overdose rescue kits and a buprenorphine bridge program. The duty officer can be reached at 512-956-9780.

How do I pay for pain and addiction care in Austin, and what should I ask first?

Paying for care in Travis County

Texas Medicaid delivers most benefits through managed care plans. STAR plans in the Travis service area include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Superior and a Dell Children’s plan. Ask your plan about coverage for medication and each level of care. You can also browse programs that accept Medicaid. With private insurance, check your benefits before intake.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission funds treatment for people who qualify. Bluebonnet Trails Community Services is the OSAR provider for Travis County, at 844-309-6385. You can also call 2-1-1 Texas. See state-funded rehab in Austin for options. Rail service is limited, so most people reach appointments by CapMetro bus.

Questions to ask before starting

• Does the program treat pain and substance use together?
• Can it continue or start medication for opioid use disorder?
• Will staff coordinate with your pain prescriber?
• Which payment types, insurers and languages does it accept?

In a crisis, Integral Care’s helpline answers 24 hours a day at 512-472-4357. You can also call or text 988.

For a wider view, see pain and addiction programs across Texas and the national pain and addiction guide, or return to all Austin treatment listings.