Despite Nevada’s picturesque setting of mountains, lakes, and deserts, challenging substance use problems to exist among its residents. Nevada saw 2,752 opioid overdoses between 2010 and 2015. Nevada ranked fourth-highest in the United States for fatal drug overdoses in 2015.
Family members and friends of someone who is suffering from a substance use disorder or addiction to drugs or alcohol in Nevada should know that effective help is available.
Nevada Substance Use Statistics
While tens of millions flock to Nevada every year as one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions, the state is also home to a growing substance use problem.
Nevada’s substance use rates include the following statistics:
Alcohol Use
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nevada ranks among the top 10 states with the highest alcohol use rates.
- In the Las Vegas metropolitan area, 25.6 percent of residents reported binge drinking in a National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, higher than the national average of 23.2 percent.
Illicit Drug Use
- Nevada ranks among the top 10 states for drug use, and Nevada ranks third out of the top five states for having residents dependent on illegal drugs.
- 10.8 percent of Nevada residents used illicit drugs in 2015, which was higher than the national average of 9.3 percent. In 2011, the number of residents dependent on or abusing illegal substances was only 3.45 percent.
- In the Las Vegas metropolitan area, 233,000 residents reported using illicit drugs within the past year.
Opioid Use
- 545 Nevada residents died from drug overdoses in 2014.
- Nevada ranks second for use of oxycodone (Oxycontin) and hydrocodone (Vicodin).
Nevada Addiction Outreach Programs
Nevada is among the top 10 states for illicit drug use. Vicodin, OxyContin, Xanax, marijuana, heroin and other drugs are frequently used throughout the state.
To combat this, Nevada participates in a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program that offers support services, treatment for substance use and counseling.
Additionally, a 2-1-1 hotline is available to help residents in need of support services. The hotline also provides addiction resources, while a 24-hour text hotline lets crisis counselors help anyone who might want to speak confidentially to someone about their addiction.
Other Nevada agencies working to prevent and decrease substance use in the state include:
- Las Vegas Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
- Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
To address Nevada’s prescription drug problem, the state has adopted a prescription monitoring program, which monitors how many schedules II, III and IV prescription drugs a doctor or pharmacist provides to a patient.
Additionally, the Syringe Access Bill increases access to clean syringes, a harm-reduction protocol proven effective at reducing disease transmission, and encourages people to enter rehab programs.
Nevada Addiction Treatment Programs
Addiction treatment programs are provided in Nevada as a continuum of care offering a wide range of services and support. These programs are designed to address any physical dependency or withdrawal symptoms the person experiences and to help the person recover physically, mentally and emotionally from a substance use disorder.
Addiction treatment program admission guidelines vary and may depend on the nature and severity of the addiction, along with how a person responds to treatment. High-quality drug rehabilitation programs in Nevada are able to provide clinical assessments and tailor programs based on a person’s individual needs.
Intervention Services
A family member or other loved one may want to arrange an intervention for someone who may not recognize the dangers that substance use poses to their physical and mental health and overall well-being.
Nevada interventionists can assist in organizing and holding a meeting with the person to address their substance use and request that they enter an addiction treatment program. Professionally led interventions are very successful in convincing people to seek treatment for addiction.
Drug And Alcohol Detox
For many people, drug and alcohol detoxification will be the first step they take toward recovery from addiction. During detox, the substance is withheld and the body begins to adjust to sobriety.
Twenty-four-hour support and medical care may be necessary to help a person detox. Certain substances, like benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol can cause severe withdrawal symptoms when the substance is withheld. Medications are available through drug and alcohol detox programs that reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient Drug Rehab
Inpatient drug rehab programs in Nevada provide medication, therapy, and support in an immersive sober environment. The person in recovery will live onsite for the duration of their treatment, which allows them 24-hour access to medical care and distances them from triggers that can often lead to relapse.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Nevada outpatient drug rehab programs provide less-intensive care than inpatient addiction treatment programs. Outpatient addiction treatment is often used as a step-down level of care for people in recovery who have just completed an inpatient program but who would benefit from further structure and support in their continued recovery.
People in recovery in outpatient drug rehab programs participate in therapy sessions and group activities during the day and return to their homes or to a sober-living facility at the end of the day.
Aftercare and Alumni Services
Aftercare programs and alumni services are available for those who have completed an addiction treatment program. These services offer a continued connection to the recovery community and help to maintain focus on long-term sobriety.
Specialized Addiction Treatment Programs In Nevada
Many treatment centers offer specialized programs to accommodate each client’s unique needs. These may include medication-assisted treatment, dual-diagnosis care or gender-specific therapy groups.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs
FDA-approved medications may be available to prevent withdrawal and decrease the likelihood of relapse. Methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), and naltrexone (Narcan) can be used to assist in recovery from opioid addiction. Medications that are used to decrease alcohol use include acamprosate (Campral) and disulfiram (Antuse).
Dual-Diagnosis Disorders
Mental-health issues frequently occur along with substance use disorders. This is known as co-occurring disorders. Effective treatment will integrate simultaneous therapy to treat both conditions, allowing for the best chances of long-term recovery.
Gender-Specific Therapy Groups
Treatment programs may be divided by gender, which can encourage participation in therapy and provide focused therapy for gender-related addiction issues. Men can benefit from being in an all-male program that will help them to address social pressures and any insecurities. Women might seek out an all-female program if there is a history of trauma or use in the home.
Nevada Addiction Treatment Therapies
High-quality addiction treatment programs offer a variety of therapies to fully address each client’s well-being.
These might include:
- Individual counseling
- 12-step programs and support groups
- Behavioral therapies
- Complementary therapies
- Coping techniques that address cravings and offer stress-management tools
- Exercise programs and nutrition education
- Family therapy
- Substance use education
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling provides one-on-one time with a therapist to address the issues and behaviors that underlie the addiction.
Behavioral Therapies
Behavioral therapies are one of the most successful modalities used to address addiction. Behavioral therapies help clients to address destructive thought patterns and harmful behaviors and learn healthier ways of thinking and behaving. Common behavioral therapies used in Nevada include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and motivational interviewing.
Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies are often offered in Nevada as part of a holistic treatment plan, complementing traditional therapies with activities that address whole-person wellness. Complementary therapies may include acupuncture, yoga, journaling, and equine therapy.
Group Counseling And Support Groups
Group counseling and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a community dialogue setting where participants can share struggles and success stories and know that they are not alone.
Family Therapy
Addiction is often referred to as a family disease: what affects one member of a family affects the entire family. Family therapy might be offered to help each of the family members to heal from the effects of the addiction, learn how to identify and stop any enabling behaviors and contribute to stable home life.
Nutrition Education and Exercise
Nutrition education and exercise are often provided to help clients heal physically as well as mentally. Understanding the importance of a healthy diet and exercise can strengthen recovery and help to prevent relapse.
Stress Management
Stress-management tools give the person in recovery the skills needed to successfully handle stressful situations, where they previously might have turned to drink or drugs for relief. Stress-management techniques may include yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation.
Life Skills
Developing any missing life skills can help to establish a fulfilling life in recovery. Education support, employment assistance, and communication skills can all benefit long-term recovery efforts.
Questions About Treatment?
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Paying For Addiction Treatment In Nevada
Most Nevada drug and alcohol treatment programs offer a variety of payment options:
- Self-payment with cash or credit cards
- Health insurance
- Private healthcare loans
- Medicaid, Medicare
- Grants and scholarships
- Payment plans established with treatment providers
Addiction treatment is a covered behavioral health service under most major health insurance plans. Out-of-pocket costs and copays will vary based on providers and treatment programs.
Health insurance providers offering coverage in Nevada may include:
- Ambetter
- Health Plan of Nevada
- Sierra Health and Life
Length Of Addiction Treatment Programs In Nevada
Program lengths will vary depending on the person’s particular needs. Drug and alcohol detox can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the substance and severity of the addiction.
Many inpatient addiction treatment programs in Nevada can last 30 to 90 days but may last longer depending on how quickly the person progresses through their treatment plan. Outpatient addiction treatment programs last similar lengths, and many alumni programs encourage long-term participation that could last indefinitely.
Traveling For Addiction Treatment
When seeking addiction treatment, many people first look for treatment centers that are adjacent to the home. However, the program with the right combination of high-quality therapies to meet their unique needs might not be located in their home state.
The benefits of being willing to travel for addiction treatment include:
- More high-quality treatment programs than are available locally
- Improved focus on treatment and removal from environmental triggers
- Increased confidentiality and privacy
Vertava Health can offer effective, compassionate treatment in several states across the United States, and we can help people find the care they need – wherever they are located.
