Alcohol Rehab Treatment in Nevada

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a burning issue across the US, and not by coincidence. This potent and highly addictive drug is severely misunderstood as many users don’t even consider it a drug in the first place. With it being easily obtainable and since drinking is generally viewed as socially acceptable, it is no wonder that alcohol is the most abused substance in the US.¹

It is also a reason why over 28 million Americans age 12 and older struggle with some form of AUD. Even more alarming fact is that most people view alcohol addiction as more of a conscious choice, rather than for what it really is: a disease. The reality is that AUD is a disease and, as such, can be treated with an evidence-based approach.¹

What Different Types of Alcohol Treatment Programs are Available in Nevada?

Due to the social stigma surrounding addiction in general, the physical and psychological effects caused by alcohol, and the high possibility of co-occurring disorders that can exacerbate the situation and hinder the recovery process, alcohol rehab remains one of, if not the only viable option to combat AUD.²

In modern rehab centers, a person can receive professional help and support for their AUD. Treatments today are comprehensive and target every part of a patient’s well-being, and can take the form of either:²

• Inpatient/Residential Treatment, or;
• Outpatient Treatment.

While the specificities of each individual program can vary based on each person’s unique needs, in general, they consist of:^{2, 3}

• Medical Detoxification;
• Psychotherapy;
• Holistic Therapy.

Rehab is the best option for those struggling with alcohol addiction because it provides a structured environment where they can focus on their recovery without distraction or temptation. It also provides access to trained professionals who can provide guidance and support as they learn how to cope with their addiction and lead a healthier lifestyle.²

What is Medical Detoxification?

For a person to start alcohol abuse treatment, it is absolutely necessary to rid the body of harmful substance(s). Therefore, detoxification (“detox”) is always the first step of any rehab program. That means a person must go through the withdrawal process. Depending on the severity of an individual’s AUD, this process can be unpleasant and potentially even fatal.³

Medical detoxification is used to counter these negative effects and risks. To alleviate withdrawal symptoms, detox combines:³

• A set of proven medical procedures;
• 24/7 supervision;
• FDA-approved medications.

Medication and constant supervision can help a person go through withdrawal safely and with a minimal amount of discomfort. Also, it has been shown to significantly reduce the risks of some life-threatening side effects of alcohol withdrawal (e.g. delirium tremens). Due to its efficiency and the fact that it vastly increases patients’ safety, medical detox is viewed as the golden standard in rehab centers nationwide.^{4, 5}

Inpatient/Residential Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Nevada

Inpatient Treatment is the most intensive of all Alcohol addiction programs, which also makes it the most effective. The requirement of this type of program is for a patient to temporarily move to the rehab facility (hence the name). Once situated, they will remain there and work on their recovery goals for the duration of the treatment.²

Residential Treatment is the highest level of care in addiction rehab and, also, one that has been shown to provide the best results because of:^{2, 3}

• 24/7 access to medical care and support;
• Access to medication in the form of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT);
• Controlled environment, free of distractions and temptations.

Due to its high intensity and it being highly structured, Inpatient/Residential Treatment is best suited for individuals with:^{2, 3, 6}

• Severe addiction;
• A history of relapse;
• Co-occurring mental disorders or poly-addiction[6] (both of which require special conditions/treatments/approach);
• Severe physical problems (whether drug-induced or otherwise).

Lastly, this form of treatment can be ideal for those that lack a supportive environment or live in an environment with an unhealthy attitude toward substance use.²

Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment Nevada

As opposed to residential, outpatient treatment does not require a person to move to the dedicated facility to receive necessary care. Here, a person can go on with their lives, go to work or attend classes, live at home, and only visit the rehab facility for scheduled treatment.^{2, 7}

While outpatient rehab is less intensive than inpatient, it’s no less potent. Still, the intensity will vary based on the patient’s unique needs and possibilities. As such, outpatient treatment typically includes 3 distinct levels of care:⁷

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): The most intensive form of outpatient treatment. It frequently includes therapies taking 20 or more hours a week. PHP is suitable for individuals who demand high levels of care, but cannot live at a dedicated facility;
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Slightly less intensive than PHP. Treatment usually takes around 9 hours a week but can take more if need be;
• Standard Outpatient Program: Least intensive form of outpatient treatment. A person will attend therapy for less than 9 hours a week. 

Outpatient treatment variations are ideal for individuals who lead busy lives (e.g. running a company, parents, students) as it allows them to improve every sphere of their lives at the same time. Most outpatient programs are structured with this exact goal in mind.^{2, 7}

It is important to note that a person doesn’t have to go through each and every level of care on their journey to recovery. They may move from, say, intensive inpatient to standard outpatient, provided that they’ve made enough progress in the previous step. However, the opposite is true, too. If a person realizes they need a more intensive program, they can move from standard to PHP, or even, inpatient treatment.^{2, 7}

Therapy for Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Nevada

Alcohol addiction is a complex issue that requires a multi-angled (or rather, multi-layered) approach to be effective. As such, rehab centers employ a wide variety of psychotherapeutic solutions, in combination with MAT[8], to provide comprehensive and complete treatment. The options may include:^{2, 8}

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Teaches a person to recognize self-destructive thought and behavioral patterns and replace them with healthy coping mechanisms.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): A form of CBT, DBT focuses more on managing intense emotions (e.g. suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, etc.), which can occur as a side-effect of withdrawal.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI): A part of Motivation Enhancement Therapy (MET), MI helps a person lower their self-doubt and gives them more incentive to make positive life changes (including achieving treatment/recovery goals).
• Group therapy (incl. 12-steps & family therapy): Absolutely essential for an individual’s effort to reintegrate into society, as well as rebuild their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

None of the said therapy options are mutually exclusive. Rather, it is frequently their combination that provides the highest likelihood of long-term success.^{2, 8}

Holistic treatment

This type of therapy rests on the premise of Holism, a philosophical idea stating that any system must be viewed as a whole, rather than the sum of its parts. This idea became widely accepted in medicine and, especially in alcohol abuse rehab and recovery.²

This methodology focuses on treating individuals’ physical, mental, social, and spiritual health, and not only addiction. As such, it can include various therapeutic methods, aside from the standard ones we mentioned in the previous section.²

Holistic treatment can consist of a variety of activities, ranging from art and music therapy to yoga and meditation to sports and movies. It puts an emphasis on the spiritual side of recovery, but also on team building and socialization, all the while teaching a person that there is fun in leading a sober life.²

How Long Do Nevada Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs Last?

The duration of alcohol abuse treatment highly depends on a person’s unique needs and situation. Factors that will play a crucial role in determining the length of treatment are:^{8, 9}

• The severity and intensity of addiction;
• A person’s overall health (physical and mental);
• History of rehab attendance;
• Relapse risks;
• The existence of co-occurring mental and/or physical condition;
• Environmental factors (level of support at home or in a social circle, housing, etc.).

Based on these criteria, clinicians will recommend either:^{8, 9}

• Short-Term rehab program, or;
• Long-Term rehabilitation.

Short-term programs typically last up to 3 months and consist of 3-6 weeks of inpatient care. After that time, a patient can move on to extended outpatient care for as long as they may need, finishing off with an aftercare program of their choice.^{8, 9}

Long-term rehab can last from 9-12 months but may take longer if a person requires it. Usually, it consists of at least 90 days of inpatient care, after which a person may choose to continue as an outpatient. Long-term programs proved vastly more effective in threatening addiction, as research by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) showed.^{8, 9}

How to Decide on a Course of Alcohol Rehab Treatment?

In the past, there were efforts to “standardize” addiction treatments. Today, however, we know that any form of SUD (including AUD) is highly individualized. As such, treatment demands solutions that will conform to the person and not the other way around.⁹

Fortunately, the majority of renowned rehab centers in Nevada adopted this perspective. Today, they offer various levels of care and specialized treatments for virtually any form of SUD. With that in mind, there are several factors to consider when choosing an alcohol rehab treatment center:

• Credentials: A facility must have a licensed and proven program, as well as a good track record;
• Types of therapy options provided: A rehab center must provide comprehensive and individualized treatment for the primary substance addiction;
• Dual-Diagnosis Treatment: If a person suffers from co-occurring disorders and/or poly-addiction, the establishment should have a program that treats those, too;⁶
• Levels of Care: Depending on the person’s needs, a facility should offer short or long-term rehab options;
• Staff qualifications: Staff should consist of licensed, trained, and experienced clinicians.
• Payment options: An alcohol rehab facility should offer multiple payment options and plans.

Where to Find Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder Near Me in Las Vegas, Nevada?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a network of reputable addiction treatment centers that operate across Nevada and other parts of the US. As one of the nation’s leading providers of evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, we can help you find the highest levels of care and individualized treatments essential for lifelong recovery for yourself or your loved one.

Whether you are looking for help for yourself or your loved one, want to know what causes alcoholism, how to recognize symptoms of AUD, or to find out more about alcohol and its negative effects in general, all you need to do is reach out to us through one of our alcohol-related hotlines. Our compassionate staff is available to help 24/7. All calls are strictly confidential and carry no obligation to enter into our treatment program.

Frequently Asked Questions