Medically reviewed by Kevin Wandler, MD, Chief Medical Advisor
If you live in Fort Worth, Arlington or anywhere else in Tarrant County and you are worried about your drinking, drug use or mental health, or about someone you love, figuring out where to start can feel like the hardest part. The encouraging news is that help exists at every level, from free crisis lines to community mental health services to medical detox and residential treatment.
This guide walks through the main types of support available to Tarrant County residents, how they fit together and how to decide which door to knock on first. It focuses on well-established organizations so you can move forward with confidence.
If It Is an Emergency, Start Here
Some situations cannot wait for an appointment. Call 911 right away if someone is unresponsive, has slow or stopped breathing, has blue or gray lips, is having a seizure or may have overdosed. If you think opioids are involved and you have naloxone, give it and still call 911.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or is in an emotional crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential and available around the clock, and you can also chat with a counselor through the Lifeline’s website.
Withdrawal is another situation that calls for fast, careful action. Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines suddenly after heavy or long-term use can be life-threatening. That kind of withdrawal should happen under medical supervision, not at home alone.
Publicly Funded Mental Health and Substance Use Services
Texas organizes much of its publicly funded behavioral health care through local mental health authorities. In Tarrant County, that role belongs to My Health My Resources of Tarrant County, usually called MHMR Tarrant. It offers behavioral health services for county residents and can be an important starting point for people who are uninsured, underinsured or covered by Medicaid.
Programs and eligibility rules change over time, so the most reliable approach is to contact MHMR Tarrant directly and ask which services fit your situation. Texas Health and Human Services (Texas HHS) also publishes information about state-funded substance use and mental health services, including how local authorities work and how to reach them.
National Help Lines and Treatment Locators
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential information and referral service for people facing mental health or substance use challenges. It answers every day of the year, in English and Spanish, and it can point you toward treatment programs, support groups and community organizations near you. It does not provide counseling itself, but it can save you hours of searching on your own.
SAMHSA also runs an online treatment locator that lets you search for treatment programs by location, type of care and payment options. It is a practical way to compare choices across Tarrant County and the wider Dallas-Fort Worth area before you start making calls.
Peer Support Groups in and Around Tarrant County
Mutual support groups are free, widely available and often meet both in person and online. They do not replace medical or clinical care, but many people find them an important part of long-term recovery.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) hold twelve-step meetings throughout North Texas. Both organizations offer meeting finders on their official websites.
- SMART Recovery uses a science-informed, self-empowering approach and offers both in-person and online meetings.
- Al-Anon supports family members and friends who have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
- NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, offers education and support groups for people living with mental health conditions and their families through affiliates across Texas.
Try a few different meetings or formats before deciding what fits. Groups vary widely in tone, size and focus, and the first one you attend may not feel like home.
Choosing the Right Level of Care
Not everyone needs the same kind of treatment. A clinical assessment helps match you to the right starting point, which may include:
- Medical detox for safe, supervised withdrawal management
- Residential treatment for round-the-clock structure and support away from daily triggers
- Partial hospitalization for intensive daytime treatment while living at home
- Intensive outpatient care for people who need structure but can keep up with work or family
Many people move through more than one level as they stabilize. If you are also dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma or another mental health condition, look for a program that addresses both at the same time through dual diagnosis treatment, rather than treating one problem and hoping the other resolves.
Treatment at Promises DFW for Tarrant County Residents
Promises Dallas-Fort Worth is a treatment center in Lewisville, in neighboring Denton County, accredited by The Joint Commission. We care for adults with substance use disorders, mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders through medical detox, residential addiction treatment, residential mental health treatment, an in-person partial hospitalization program and a virtual intensive outpatient program. Every client leaves with an aftercare plan.
Adults come to us from every corner of the county. You can read more about getting care from Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine and Southlake, and we also serve Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Hurst, Keller, Grand Prairie, Trophy Club and neighboring communities. Because our virtual IOP is open to adults anywhere in Texas, Tarrant County residents can continue structured care from home after a higher level of treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get help in Tarrant County if I do not have insurance?
MHMR Tarrant is the local mental health authority and a common starting point for residents without insurance. SAMHSA’s National Helpline can also refer you to state-funded programs and providers that offer sliding-scale fees.
Are support groups a substitute for treatment?
Support groups can be a valuable part of recovery, but they are not medical care. If you are at risk of dangerous withdrawal or have a co-occurring mental health condition, professional treatment is the safer first step.
Do I have to live in Lewisville to attend Promises DFW?
No. We serve adults from across Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas, including all of Tarrant County, and our virtual IOP is available to adults anywhere in Texas.
What should I do if someone may be overdosing?
Call 911 immediately. If opioids may be involved and naloxone is available, give it, stay with the person and follow the dispatcher’s instructions until help arrives.
Take the Next Step With Promises DFW
You do not have to sort through every option alone. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen, answer questions and help you decide on a level of care. Insurance checks are free and confidential, and when a bed is available, same-day admission is often possible.
Review your insurance options, send our team a message or call (469) 546-9303 to get started.