Las Vegas, situated at the southernmost tip of Nevada, is an oasis in the desert. The city is also home to hundreds of world-class bars, clubs, and casinos with a population of 600,000 people and has gained a global reputation as Sin City. 

Just as gambling for certain people could become an addiction, so can drugs and alcohol too. As is the trend with many cities in the US, drug abuse and addiction are not uncommon in Las Vegas. In several Las Vegas establishments, alcohol and certain forms of drugs are widespread. Addiction and substance abuse problems are rampant and could be found throughout the State. Addiction is a severe condition that can be hard to resolve without clinical treatment; thus, drug rehab Las Vegas, NV is not an uncommon sight. 

Addiction is a disorder that may happen to anyone regardless of gender, race, social status, or age. Addiction signs and symptoms can differ from person to person. Simple changes in the mood or personality of a loved one might indicate something serious problem that is happening. Usual signs and symptoms that may suggest that a person is fighting addiction may include:

• Inability to get or keep a career
• Growing need to be alone
• Being socially withdrawn
• Unusual changes with their spending habits
• Waning relationships with friends and relatives
• Increased restlessness, fear, or anxiety

Drug rehab in Las Vegas, NV: treatment services

Addiction recovery services in Las Vegas provide counselling that could help a person overcome all the factors that lead to addiction. Mental health problems, trauma, and significant life changes can lead to addiction development. Drug rehabilitation requires both physical and emotional treatment to help people learn how to live healthy and satisfying lives; free from using drugs.

The following levels of treatment may be included in the addiction treatment services provided by a drug rehab Las Vegas, NV:

• Medical detoxification
• In-patient drug rehabilitation 
• Out-patient drug rehabilitation
• Alumni support services

Medical detoxification

Medical detoxification can be a crucial initial step in the recovery process for those who are dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioid medications. Symptoms of withdrawal from these drugs may be harmful, and medical detox offers professional help for symptoms monitoring and regulation.

Pharmacological medications can be used to avoid or restrict withdrawal symptoms during medical detox. As a part of the medication-assisted therapy plan, the medications will be duly administered by a licensed clinician. It may be continued for a more extended time, depending on the assessment. 

In-patient drug rehabilitation

The most comprehensive stage of addiction recovery care is in-patient drug and alcohol rehab. A drug rehab Las Vegas, NV, helps patients concentrate on treatment without facing everyday life causes and stressors. Patients will be living inside the facility during the whole duration of the residential drug addiction treatment.  

Residential drug rehabilitation includes a variety of clinical techniques and treatment modalities that can differ based on the facility and the patient’s conditions. There are some programmes that provide facilities that could add value to an individual’s recovery process in addition to individual or group therapy sessions.

Certain drug rehab Las Vegas NV treatment centres may provide customised services such as:

• Individual counselling
• Cognitive-behavioural treatment
• Group therapy
• Training for life skills
• Faith-based services or religious programmes
• Friendly LGBTQIA+ services
• Family counselling and therapy 

Out-patient drug rehabilitation

Therapy services for outpatient addiction are provided at various intensity levels and are designed to treat patients at several rehabilitation stages. During the day, patients undergo counselling sessions at the rehabilitation centre and return to a sober-living home at night.

While typically recommended as a level lower of treatment after a successful initial in-patient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient rehabilitation programmes could be used by patients for whom inpatient treatment facilities are not the best fit.

It is also possible to use less rigorous out-patient drug rehabilitation programmes either as a transitional tool after a more intensive treatment or as a primary treatment for moderate addiction or relapse.

Programmes that are less intensive may only meet for a few hours per day, one or two days a week. As for more intensive programmes, they may meet up for eight hours a day for five days a week. 

Programmes for alumni support 

Recovery does not happen overnight; it is a lifelong learning and healing process. After a person has finished a drug rehabilitation programme, alumni programmes will still continue to provide ongoing assistance. Alumni support programmes may provide sponsorships, classes on life skills, and support groups.

Drug rehab in Las Vegas, NV: addiction rehabilitation programme duration

Addiction rehabilitation programmes may differ in their duration for different reasons. Offering patients with various rehabilitation time frames will help accommodate the diverse needs of each individual. 

Short-term programmes that usually lasts for 14 to 30 days are best suited for those who do not want to stay away from work or family responsibilities for too long. Long-term rehabilitation programmes can last for 30 to 90 days, and some may even be in the programme for more than a year. 

Long-term programmes are incredibly helpful for people recovering from severe addiction or those who have relapsed in the past. There had been higher success rates recorded for those who adhered to the long-term in-patient rehabilitation treatment. 

Drug rehab in Las Vegas, NV: treatment cost 

Due to fear of the expenses, some people may delay getting the treatment they need. However, the advantages of an efficient drug recovery programme far outweigh the cost.

Besides using one’s health insurance health benefits in paying for some or all of the rehabilitation treatment costs, patients may be able to find drug rehabilitation centres that engage in programmes to help minimise or offset the cost of treatment. Such programmes may include:

• Sliding-scale fee arrangements based on income
• Payment plans
• Medical loans

Out-of-state treatment

There might be treatment programmes needed by a person that is not available in their state. That is why it is not uncommon for some individuals to need to travel out of their home town to avail of the best possible rehabilitation treatment for their addiction.  

Travelling for treatment will offer:

• New surroundings for a new beginning
• Increased commitment to therapy
• Patient anonymity and privacy
• Can prevent getting stressed and be triggered by past living conditions

Helen Bradfield did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.