Nevada's unusual history includes a relationship with substance abuse that is a bit different from what much of the nation has experienced. A century ago, Nevada was struggling to bring people inside its borders so politicians adopted a theory that they would liberalize many of their laws from what was common law in neighboring California. Therefore gambling, prostitution, and divorce became an important part of the state's economy. Nevada also passed the nation's most liberal alcohol laws, so that to this day alcohol can be purchased 24-7 in a variety of venues.
While this may have helped the state through tough times until the invention of air conditioning made Las Vegas one of the most popular tourist destinations in the nation, Nevada's lack of imagination when it comes to building a productive, sustainable society has had severe consequences. Nevada is often attributed with both the highest unemployment and foreclosure rate in the nation. Annually the state keeps neck-and-neck with Louisiana for the highest crime rates in the nation, including murder, robbery, and vehicle theft. An ironic exception to Nevada's policies is their drug laws. Although medical marijuana has recently become legal, Nevada has some of the harshest drug laws in the nation and is one of the few remaining who demand mandatory sentencing for most forms of drug possession.
Despite the many unique characteristics of Nevada's drug enforcement policy, the economic, geographic, and social problems of Nevada have created a massive drug abuse problem. Nevada's teenagers abuse prescription drugs at some of the highest rates in the country, and depression and other mental health problems are high for all age groups. Nevada is also ground zero for the crystal meth epidemic that has been booming throughough the Southwest for the past decade - there are as many people checking themselves into drug rehab for meth as there are alcohol in the state. The drug culture of Las Vegas also has some notorious claims to fame, including rampant crack cocaine, meth, and alcohol abuse that thrives alongside thousands of gambling addicts, sex trafficking, and drug-related violent crime.
Nevada does have a number of addiction treatment programs that do a good job of treating patients. There are some disparities, however, where the law enforcement community in the state generally does not refer addicts in their care to addiction treatment services as often as many other states, leaving the job up to community organizations and those that seek it out for themselves. It is true, though, that often the most effective way for an addict to beat their habit is to identify and realize that they have a problem and look for a rehab program that is right for them. This can be a difficult task because many people may try to go the "easy route" and get clean by themselves. However a mis-understood but completely vital aspect of substance abuse recovery is treatment for mental health and emotional issues that will hurt many addict's chances at escaping future temptations. Contact our center for recovery services today in order to build a strong willpower to quit drugs for good and reclaim your future.
Nevada cities that suffer from drug addiction: Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Pahrump, Fallon, Elko, and Gardnerville
Counties in Nevada with high rates of substance abuse: Clark, Washoe, Carton City, Lyon, Douglas, Elko, and Nye
A Center for Addiction Recovery treats the following addiction problems:
A Center for Addiction Recovery offers the following addiction treatment programs: