Nevada State Funded Rehab & Low Cost Addiction Treatment Options

The state of Nevada, particularly Clark County and Las Vegas, is a popular tourist destination for people the world over. Las Vegas, NV has nightclubs, casinos, shows, and so much more that all contribute to the city’s good time partying reputation. Unfortunately, this partying reputation has taken a toll on the residents of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada as a whole.

Drug and Alcohol Use in Nevada

According to the CDC, Nevada ranks 24th in the nation for drug overdose death rates (26 per 100,000 residents). Additionally, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows that in 2019, the past-year illicit drug use among individuals aged 12 or older in Nevada was higher than the national average.

Nevada’s Monitoring the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) reports that in 2021, 2.3% of the state’s residents engaged in illegal drug use in the past 30 days.

Alcohol use is prevalent in Nevada, too. In 2019, according to information from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, 15% of people reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. In 2021, 5% of the state’s residents reported heavy drinking in the past 30 days. 

Additionally, marijuana use is widespread throughout the state. Per the BRFSS, 11.8% of residents reported past-month marijuana use.

Over 7,000 people in a single-day count were enrolled in treatment services for substance use disorders in Nevada in 2019, according to the NSDUH. 47.6% received treatment for a drug problem only, 18% received treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 34.4% received treatment for both alcohol and drug use SAMSHA reports. 

Public & Private Help for Nevada Residents

Officials in Nevada are working to improve substance abuse and overdose rates within the Silver State by enhancing preventative and treatment options for residents. Nevada offers many programs designed to help those in need, ranging from state-funded programs and nonprofit programs to community-based services and low-cost treatment assistance.

Public programs are those that accept everyone regardless of their ability to pay while private programs often take health insurance to help cover costs.

Within Nevada, SAMHSA reports that there are 23 agencies funded by the Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Agency (SAPTA) that provide services in all of Nevada’s counties with over 50 services sites spread throughout the state.

SAPTA runs community-based prevention and treatment programs using federal funds for specific alcohol and drug abuse programs under the umbrella of the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). These programs are either free or provide services at a low cost to those in need.

Residents may also benefit from a private treatment facility in Nevada, which may have more amenities and provide a higher level of care. There are numerous addiction treatment options within the state of Nevada designed to aid in recovery.

Nevada State Funded Addiction Treatment Services

Nevada offers a 24/7 Crisis Call Center hotline for residents who are in any type of crisis, free of charge. This referral service can help individuals connect with resources to help them receive proper care. SAMHSA also provides a Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator tool that can connect people with local treatment providers offering specific types of desired services.

Treatment providers that are certified by SAPTA within Nevada are also listed on the DPBH website broken down by those that are funded and those that are not funded by federal resources. Many of the SAPTA-certified programs (both funded and non-funded programs) accept Medicaid as well. Medicaid is an income-based health insurance program that helps individuals with limited resources obtain healthcare services at low to no cost.

Public treatment programs that are federally or state-funded are generally more crowded and may have a waiting list to get into them. Individuals may be able to get into a private program more quickly. These facilities typically have trained professionals on hand to help families navigate payment options and payment plans, or use health insurance to pay for treatment services when applicable. Some private facilities—like Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas—accept select Medicaid plans.

As addiction is a progressive disease, it may be beneficial to receive treatment as soon as possible.

Nevada Addiction Treatment Options

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction care and often a combination of different approaches is necessary to find the most effective treatment. In general, there are different levels of addiction treatment that are offered by both state-funded and private care facilities. These include:

• Preventative and educational services: These resources help communities understand the perils of drug use and addiction, and offer information on prevention overdose, dependence, and addiction.
• Detoxification: These services may be either inpatient (medical detox) or outpatient. They provide care to help drugs and/or alcohol safely process out of the body when dependence is present.
• Counseling: Sessions may be provided as part of an inpatient program or on an outpatient basis, and they are tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
• Individual and group therapy: Behavioral therapies are often considered the primary treatment for addiction. They serve to modify negative thoughts and behaviors and teach new coping and stress management skills.
• Inpatient services: These programs provide around-the-clock comprehensive care in a secure facility where individuals have a strict schedule to help them move into recovery without the distractions of daily life.
• Outpatient services: These services are more flexible, allowing individuals with family, work, or school obligations to continue to attend to them while receiving treatment.
• Co-occurring disorders services: Many times, mental health conditions co-occur with substance use disorders. Co-occurring disorder treatment is offered at many facilities, and utilizes an integrated approach that addresses both the addiction and mental health disorder simultaneously.
• Support groups: Peer and 12-Step programs are often integral parts of a treatment program as they bring people with similar experiences and backgrounds together in a safe environment to offer support, encouragement, and tools for preventing relapse and remaining sober on a long-term basis.
• Relapse prevention programs: Many community-based programs will include tips and tools on how to minimize relapse after completing a treatment program.
• Medication management: Often, medications are necessary during addiction treatment and recovery. These programs can help individuals to manage their medications safely and prevent misuse.
• Transitional Programs and Services: After completing a treatment program, individuals may benefit from entering into a sober living home in Las Vegas where they live with others who are also committed to sobriety. Residents are in various stages of recovery, living together before transitioning all the way back into everyday life at home.
• Recovery services: Aftercare programs exist to enhance recovery and offer support beyond addiction treatment.

Nevada Addiction Prevention & Education

A statewide effort to improve safe prescription drug practices and prevent overdoses, Creating a Healthier Nevada provides a host of community-based, nonprofit, and addiction prevention and treatment resources gathered and published by the Nevada Statewide Coalition Partnership.

Prevention and education services as well as resources for treatment are also provided by coalitions around the state, such as the CARE Coalition in Clark County and the PACT (Prevention, Advocacy, Choices, Teamwork) Coalition in Las Vegas. A full list of Nevada coalitions located throughout the Silver State can be found here.

SAPTA currently funds 12 different coalitions throughout Nevada that serve specific areas of the state as published by the Nevada Prevention Resource Center (NPRC). Nonprofit organizations, such as the Partnership of Community Resources, provide a network of preventative, addiction treatment, and educational resources for residents of Nevada.

International organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) serve Nevada residents with support group meetings in numerous locations throughout the state, and membership is open to anyone desiring sobriety.

Regardless of a person’s financial status, there are many options for addiction treatment and support within the state of Nevada. A compassionate treatment consultant can help families and individuals to find the optimal care option available for a long and lasting recovery.

Affordable Rehab & Addiction Treatment at Desert Hope

If you are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol and are looking for affordable, compassionate, and effective care, Desert Hope offers evidence-based addiction-focused healthcare in Las Vegas, NV.

Contact our admissions navigators 24/7 at to learn more about our treatment facility and the different options for paying for rehab, including using Nevada Medicaid or other insurance coverage for addiction treatment. When you talk to our knowledgeable and friendly navigators they can also walk you through starting the admissions process.