Alcohol Abuse Treatment Program in Las Vegas

Alcohol use disorder (AUD)—the clinical term for alcohol addiction—is diagnosed based on diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th edition (DSM-5).⁶

No matter the severity, untreated alcohol use disorders can lead to significant problems with health and interpersonal relationships, as well as a failure to fulfill major role obligations.⁶

If you believe you or a loved one might have an alcohol use disorder that needs treatment, please speak with a doctor or other treatment professional for an evaluation.

How Alcohol Treatment Increases Your Chances of Lasting Recovery

Through treatment at Desert Hope, people with AUD can learn to manage their addiction and lead fulfilling sober lives.

Treatment not only helps patients safely get past physical dependence on alcohol but also teaches valuable skills and strategies to:⁷

• Identify and avoid cravings and triggers.
• Develop positive coping mechanisms.
• Make and maintain healthy interpersonal connections.

Additionally, Desert Hope facilitates patients’ entry into aftercare programs to help maintain focus on sobriety after treatment ends, while the Alumni App enables former patients to stay connected to their peers, track recovery milestones, and stay abreast of upcoming sober events.

Unfortunately, sometimes relapse (returning to alcohol use after one has quit) can occur after treatment. This does not necessarily mean treatment has failed. It is instead an indicator that treatment needs to be reassessed, resumed, and possibly adjusted.⁷

Medication can be a helpful tool in managing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.¹ Desert Hope’s medical detox program assesses each incoming patient to create a comprehensive plan for treatment specific to their social situation and physical and mental health.² Whether or not a patient receives medication, what medication is used, when it is initiated, and for how long it used, is based on this assessment.

Detox at Desert Hope often involves benzodiazepine medications to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of seizures.²

Additional symptomatic or “comfort medications” may be administered during detox to make people more comfortable, including:

• Anti-nausea medications.
• Anti-anxiety medications.
• Analgesics for aches and pains.

Following detox, some, but not all patients may be prescribed medications specifically designed to treat alcohol use disorder. Medications that may be prescribed during and after rehab include Vivitrol (naltrexone), which works to discourage relapse by reducing the desired effects of alcohol,⁸ and Campral (acamprosate), which is believed to normalize brain activity in areas affected by chronic alcohol use (e.g., sleep disturbances and mood).⁹

If the patient’s assessment calls for the use of medication, they will be evaluated each time it is administered.

How Long Do I Stay in Alcohol Detox at Desert Hope?

The length of stay in Desert Hope’s alcohol detox program varies by patient but typically lasts between 5 and 10 days. However, many patients transfer to a rehab program at Desert Hope after detox, lengthening their total time in treatment.

To maintain long-term sobriety, most patients need continued treatment after detox to address the underlying factors that contribute to their addiction. Like detox, the duration of rehab (i.e., short-term rehab, month-long treatment, or long-term rehab) depends on the patient’s unique needs and situation.

What Types of Therapy are Used in Alcohol Treatment at Desert Hope?

There are a variety of evidence-based therapy options provided in Desert Hope’s residential and outpatient programs including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
• Motivational Interviewing.
• Family Therapy.

Patients participate in a mix of individual and group counseling as well as psychoeducational sessions. Behavioral therapy targets and repairs the harmful thought patterns and behaviors driving addiction, changes patients’ attitudes about alcohol use, and builds the skills needed to handle stressful situations that trigger cravings, while psychoeducation teaches patients about their addiction, improving the efficacy of therapy.^10,11

Desert Hope also connects patients with recovery support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and other resources to facilitate support and motivation that continue after treatment ends.

How Often Do I See a Therapist or Doctor in Alcohol Rehab?

Patients are seen by a doctor daily and by a therapist weekly while in medical detox. Once out of detox and in an inpatient program, patients see a doctor at least once a week and a therapist at least once a week as well.

The alcohol addiction rehab treatment admissions process begins with speaking to one of our admissions navigators at about your or your loved one’s alcohol addiction.

Many of our admissions navigators are in recovery themselves and can walk you through the admissions process with compassion and empathy. Admissions navigators will listen to the details about your or your loved one’s situation, provide more useful information on treatment options at Desert Hope, and answer questions regarding insurance and payment options.

How to Get a Loved One to Go to Alcohol Rehab

Consider the following tips from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) when broaching the topic of addiction treatment with your loved one:¹²

• Choose a time and place to talk in private, free from distractions.
• Express your concerns and why you are worried about them.
• Listen without judgement and acknowledge their feelings and fears.
• Offer to help them find help and assure them that recovery is possible.
• Be patient. One conversation is unlikely to persuade them, but they may gradually come around.

A great first step in getting your loved one into rehab for an alcohol use disorder is to call our admissions navigators available 24/7 at .

Supporting a loved one with an alcohol addiction can feel like navigating an ocean full of mines. Fortunately, there are lots of resources on helping a loved one with addiction.

Will Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab in Nevada?

Yes, most health insurance plans are required by law to cover addiction treatment;¹³ however, the extent of coverage varies based on each policy. Desert Hope is in-network with many major insurance companies that cover treatment including:

• Optum
• Aetna
• Cigna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Humana
• Ambetter

You can quickly and securely check your insurance coverage for treatment at Desert Hope using the .

If you or your loved one do not have insurance, we can help you find other ways of paying for addiction treatment. Desert Hope offers other affordable options to help you cover the cost of alcohol addiction treatment.