Types of Therapy for Addiction Treatment in Las Vegas, Nevada

Like many other serious health conditions, substance use disorders (SUDs) are typically chronic, and sometimes progressive, meaning that earlier treatment as well as long-term recovery solutions are needed.¹ Behavioral therapies are the most common form of SUD treatment.¹ Across the state of Nevada, there are 109 substance use treatment centers that offer a range of therapies in different settings.² This article will offer a brief overview of some of the most common behavioral therapies.

What is the Role of Therapy in Rehab?

Behavioral therapy plays a critical role in rehabilitation (rehab) programs. Therapy can help with long-term SUD recovery by addressing the underlying causes of substance use and the effects it has on family, society, and the individual.¹

In Nevada in 2020, 108 substance use treatment centers offered individual therapy, 104 offered group therapy, and 71 offered family therapy.²

What Is a Therapist?

Therapist is a widely used term. When it comes to rehab and SUD treatment, the term therapist generally refers to:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Clinical Psychologist (PsyD, PhD)

What Are the Benefits of Therapy?

Behavioral therapy for treating substance use disorders offers many benefits, including:¹

• Motivating you to enter and stay in treatment.
• Giving you strategies for how to deal with drug cravings.
• Teaching you how avoid substances.
• Helping you cope with relapse (return to substance use after a period of not using), if it happens.
• Improving your communication skills.

Types of Addiction Treatment Therapy

There are different therapeutic approaches to treating substance use disorders. Some types of therapy may be more effective at addressing abuse of certain substances than others.¹ But the aim of many kinds of behavioral therapy is to help you make healthier changes in your thoughts and behavior toward drug and alcohol use. Therapy can also help you learn how to cope with your triggers—the people, places, and things that make you want to use substances.¹

Understanding the various therapy models can help empower you to choose the program that is right for you. Your doctor can also help you decide which treatment model is best suited to your treatment goals.

Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

When a person is diagnosed with more than one mental health condition, including SUDs, this is called co-occurring disorders. In 2020, 17 million adults had both a mental health diagnosis and an SUD.³ Integrated treatment focuses on managing both conditions at the same time.⁴ Research has shown this is more effective than treating each issue separately.⁴ Treatment may combine aspects of multiple therapy models (for example, medicines and behavioral therapy) to ensure effective and successful treatment.⁴

Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)

Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is an evidence-based treatment that combines behavioral therapy with prescription medicines for those with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or opioid use disorder (OUD).⁵ Some of the different medicines offered in MAT can help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings for continued drug or alcohol use, while others may help to block some of the reward associated with continued substance use.⁵ Medicines in addition to counseling and other behavioral therapies serve as a “whole person” approach to SUD treatment, addressing both the mental and physical aspects of addction.⁵

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify and change harmful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to your substance use.¹ CBT also teaches you how to cope with your triggers—the people, places, and things that make you want to use substances—and create new, healthier responses to cravings.¹ Research shows CBT is most effective for treating alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, or nicotine use.¹

As of 2020, CBT was offered in 101 addiction treatment centers in Nevada.²

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps you learn how to accept painful or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.⁶ By accepting this discomfort, it is often easier to embrace change and focus on recovery.⁶

Nevada had 78 SUD treatment centers offering DBT in 2020.²

Motivational Enhancement

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) empowers you to create and set your own goals based on how ready you are to change.¹ Research has shown it can be an effective treatment for AUD.¹

In 2020, there were 103 treatment centers offering MET in Nevada.²

Contingency Management

Contingency management (CM) rewards positive behavior, such as drug-free urine samples.¹ These rewards can help people maintain abstinence (not using substances of abuse).¹ Rewards may include cash or vouchers that can be used for things like food, movie tickets, and other goods.^1.

In 2020, 64 Nevada treatment centers offered CM.²

Family Therapy

Bringing family into therapy can benefit the entire family, since substance use impacts everyone in the family in some way.⁸ Family therapy helps each family member understand how addiction affects them and learn how they can change their own behaviors to increase family functioning.⁸

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a common treatment model for substance abuse that encourages peer support.¹ Groups offer a social community with other people who are also in recovery and help reinforce a substance-free lifestyle.¹

Alternative Therapies

There are many more therapy models in addition to what is listed in this article. Alternative, or holistic, therapies can be a great complement to the more standard, evidence-based behavioral therapies.⁷ Many people find these therapies helpful, but there isn’t yet enough scientific research and data on how effective they are.⁷ Some common alternative therapies include:⁷

• Mindfulness meditation.
• Yoga.
• Hypnosis.
• Music therapy.
• Art therapy.
• Acupuncture. In Nevada in 2020, 4 addiction treatment centers offered this service.²

What’s the Best Therapy Program for Me?

The best therapy is one that meets your unique treatment needs and recovery goals. Your doctor can help you decide which therapy program is right for you. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all and will look different for everyone. Thankfully, there is a wide selection of effective, evidence-based therapies to treat SUDs.¹

Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Nevada?

Depending on your plan, insurance might be able to cover some or all of your therapy needs in Nevada. The best way to check what your insurance will and won’t cover is to call the number on the back of your insurance card. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act require most insurance plans to include mental health benefits at the same level as other medical treatments.⁹

American Addiction Centers accepts many common insurance plans and can help you figure out what your plan covers. Other payment options such as sliding-scale, payment plans, state grants, and Medicare or Medicaid may also be available, depending on your location and treatment setting.

How to Find Rehab Drug Addiction Therapy in Las Vegas, Nevada

American Addiction Centers has a highly-rated treatment center offering rehab therapies in Las Vegas, as well as other locations across the nation. Starting recovery is a big step, but our skilled and compassionate staff are standing by 24/7 to help you navigate your treatment options. Call our helpline at to start your new life today.