Taos County Reopens Medical Detox After 10 Years

After more than eleven years without local medical detox services, Taos County, New Mexico, is reopening a supervised withdrawal management facility, a development that local officials say could not come at a more critical time.

The county is now one of the hardest hit in the state for overdose deaths, and for residents struggling with alcohol, opioid or other substance dependencies, the reopening of a community-based detox center New Mexico could be lifesaving.

Why Medical Detox Matters in Rural Communities

The Taos detox center closed in 2015 following the financial collapse of its previous operator, Tri-County Community Services. In the years since, the nearest detox center to Taos and Española has been in Santa Fe, and only a handful of facilities across the state accept public health insurance, causing available beds to fill up quickly.

The consequences have been measurable. Taos County saw a 340% spike in drug overdose deaths in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties also saw increases in overdose deaths, with spikes of 104% and 48%, respectively.

“This is the point of entry where individuals can start not only their treatment but their recovery pathway,” said Lawrence Medina, executive director of Rio Grande Alcoholism Treatment Program.

For people dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids, access to medical detox isn’t a preference, it’s a medical necessity.

Withdrawal from these substances can trigger life-threatening complications including seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and severe respiratory depression.

Unlike withdrawal from stimulants or cannabis, alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be fatal without clinical monitoring and medication support.

The New Facility and Its Phased Approach to Withdrawal Management

Taos County is partnering with Rio Grande Alcoholism Treatment Program (Rio Grande ATP) to operate the reopened center.

Phase 1 includes a 12-bed non-medical withdrawal management program with 24/7 supervised care, peer support, case management and coordination with Mobile Crisis, EMS, law enforcement and health care providers.

The detox center will require medical clearance prior to admission and will offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, individual and group counseling, peer support, and case management to connect clients with longer-term care.

Phase 2 will expand the facility to 24 beds and provide broader access to medically supervised withdrawal services for residents across Taos County and the surrounding region. This phase will include nursing oversight, medical monitoring, enhanced clinical protocols, and medical screening. Phase 2 is set for completion by summer 2026.

Phase 3 will include a 5,000-square-foot expansion for a crisis stabilization unit, diversion from emergency departments and jails, plus close coordination with a mobile crisis team for rapid response and 24/7 clinical support.

Medication-Assisted Treatment at the Center

A key component of the new facility is its inclusion of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. MAT combines FDA-approved medications, most commonly buprenorphine (brand name Suboxone), methadone or naltrexone, with counseling and behavioral therapies.

These medications reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and significantly lower the risk of relapse and overdose death.

MAT is the evidence-based standard of care for opioid use disorder and is increasingly available in detox settings as a bridge to ongoing treatment.

The center will serve as a regional hub, supporting neighboring counties, tribal communities and rural health systems. For people in north-central New Mexico who have previously had to travel hours to access any detox programs near them, this represents a significant shift in access to care.

The Taos facility is opening at a social/peer-support model and pursuing CARF accreditation to advance toward medically-monitored status. Within the first three months, operators plan to gather data needed to pursue CARF accreditation, which would allow them to apply for state certification for medically-monitored detox services.

Finding Medical Detox in New Mexico

For Taos County residents, and for anyone across New Mexico, the reopening of this facility underscores the critical importance of having local, accessible alcohol detox and drug detox options.

Since the previous facility closed, recidivism rates have increased and people have fallen through the cracks due to lack of access, according to Medina.

If you or someone you know needs medically supervised detox in New Mexico, do not attempt to manage alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal at home. You can search to detox.com’s directory to find accredited detox centers. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) to speak with a treatment specialist today.