Just as gambling can become an addiction for some individuals, so can the use of drugs and alcohol. Substance use and addiction are not uncommon in Las Vegas, as is the case for many cities across the United States. Addiction is a serious disease and can be difficult to overcome without professional treatment.
Addiction Treatment In Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas addiction treatment programs offer therapy that can help to address all the factors that affect addiction. Mental health disorders, trauma is and major life changes can all contribute to the development of addiction. Drug rehab incorporates physical and emotional therapy to help patients learn how to live healthy, fulfilling lives free from substance use.
Addiction treatment services may include some or all of the following levels of care:
Medical Detox
For those who are physically dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioid drugs, medical detox may be a necessary first step in the recovery process. Withdrawal symptoms from these substances can be dangerous, and medical detox provides clinical support to monitor and control symptoms.
Pharmacological drugs may be used during medical detox to prevent or limit withdrawal symptoms. These medications are administered by a licensed clinician and may be continued for an extended period of time as part of a medication-assisted treatment plan that also includes behavioral therapy.
Medications commonly administered in the treatment of opioid addiction include:
- Methadose (methadone)
- Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone)
- Vivitrol (naltrexone)
Inpatient Drug Rehab
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab is the most intensive level of addiction treatment care. Las Vegas inpatient addiction treatment allows patients to focus on treatment without having to face the triggers and stressors of daily life. Patients live at the facility during residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
Residential drug rehab consists of a combination of treatment modalities and therapeutic approaches that will vary depending on the facility and the patient’s needs. In addition to group and individual therapy sessions, some programs also offer amenities that can add value to an individual’s recovery process.
A treatment center may offer services and customization such as:
- Individual counseling
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Life skills training
- Faith-based or religious programs
- Gender-specific treatment groups
- LGBTQIA+ friendly programs
- 12-step groups and 12-step alternatives
- Family therapy and counseling
Outpatient Drug Rehab
Outpatient addiction treatment programs are offered in varying levels of intensity and are intended to treat individuals in many stages of recovery. Patients attend therapy sessions at the treatment facility during the day and return home or to a sober-living home each night.
Although generally recommended as a step-down level of care after successfully completing inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient programs can be used for individuals for whom inpatient treatment programs are not a good fit.
Less-intensive outpatient drug rehab programs can also be used in this way, as either a transitional tool following more-intensive treatment or as a primary treatment for mild addiction or relapse.
Less intensive programs may only meet one or two days per week for a few hours each day. More intensive programs may offer sessions five days a week for eight hours a day.
Alumni Support Programs
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight; instead, it is a lifelong process of learning and healing. Alumni programs offer continued support after a patient has completed a drug rehab program. Sponsorships, life skills classes, and support groups may be offered by alumni support programs.
Addiction Treatment Program Length
Addiction treatment programs can vary in length for many reasons. Offering different time frames to patients can help accommodate the needs of more individuals.
Short-term programs that last 14-30 days in length may be a good match for someone who cannot be away from work or family obligations for very long. Long-term rehab programs can range from 30 to 90 days in length, or up to one year or longer when necessary.
Long-term programs are especially beneficial for individuals who are suffering from severe addiction or for those who have relapsed in the past. Higher success rates of recovery have been reported with inpatient rehab stays that last 90 days or longer.
Paying For Addiction Treatment
Some individuals may avoid seeking the treatment they need due to fear of the cost. However, the benefits of an effective drug rehab program far outweigh the cost.
In addition to using health insurance benefits to pay for some or all of the cost of treatment, patients may be able to find facilities that participate in programs to help reduce or cover the cost of treatment. These programs may include:
- Income-based sliding-scale fee structures
- Payment plans
- Medical credit cards or loans
- Scholarships and grants
Traveling Out Of State For Treatment
The right treatment program for an individual may not be located in their state, and it is not uncommon for people to travel outside of their home state to find the best possible treatment for addiction.
Traveling for addiction treatment can offer:
- New surroundings for a fresh start
- Increased focus on the treatment
- Increased anonymity and privacy for patients
- Protection from stressors and triggers of previous living situations
Substance Use In Las Vegas, NV
Alcohol and some types of drugs are commonplace in many Las Vegas establishments, and issues of addiction and substance use can be found throughout the city. Cocaine and alcohol are commonly found within the city limits, while prescription opioid use has been spreading into the suburbs and even into some schools.
Signs And Symptoms Of Addiction
Addiction is a disease that can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, social class or age. Signs and symptoms of addiction can vary from person to person and are sometimes shrugged off as just a sign that a loved one is under some stress.
However, simple changes in a loved one’s attitude or personality can be an indication that something much more serious is going on. Common signs and symptoms that may indicate a loved one is struggling with addiction can include:
- Inability to get or keep a job
- Increasing desire to be alone
- Becoming socially withdrawn
- Unusual change in spending habits
- Deteriorating relationships with family and friends
- Increased agitation, paranoia or anxiety
Commonly Used Substances In Las Vegas, NV
Commonly used substances in Las Vegas include amphetamines, prescription pain medications, and alcohol. In some cases, one addiction can lead to another if the substance is not readily available. For example, some people who find themselves unable to acquire additional prescriptions for opioid painkillers may look to other, illicit forms of opioids such as heroin when cravings occur.
Alcohol Use
Alcohol was the substance most widely used by Las Vegas residents aged 12 and older. Nearly 26 percent of individuals in one report admitted to binge drinking at least once in the past month, which is higher than the national average of 23 percent.
Binge drinking and alcohol use disorder have been linked to other mental health disorders, most commonly major depressive disorder. When addiction and a mental health disorder occur in the same individual, it is known as a co-occurring disorder.
Amphetamine Use
Opioid drug use makes headlines across the nation. While opioids are responsible for the highest number of overdose deaths in the state of Nevada, amphetamines are a close second.
Las Vegas has the highest number of deaths from amphetamine use in the country. Amphetamines are a central nervous stimulant and include a variety of prescription and illicit drugs. Ritalin and Adderall are two of the most commonly prescribed amphetamines in the city, however, they are frequently used recreationally.
Opioid drug use was responsible for 8.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016, while amphetamines accounted for about 8 deaths per 100,000 people. Some Las Vegas law officials believe that amphetamine use will rise above opioid use within the next few years.
Vertava Health offers compassionate, research-based treatment at multiple locations across the United States. Our trained addiction treatment specialists are able to provide information and guidance on treatment options.
Contact Vertava Health today to learn more about addiction treatment in Las Vegas or anywhere else.