About Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada has become synonymous with anonymity. People host bachelor and bachelorette parties, weekend getaways, and extended gambling trips. Naturally, the kind of atmosphere this attracts will also lead to people who are looking to overindulge. Not someone who just comes across it but sets out with the purpose of substance use. This acceptance of experimentation, however, doesn’t just become a problem for visitors but the residents of the city as well.
Methamphetamine Overdose In Las Vegas
While many cities are fighting the growing opioid epidemic, Las Vegas is faced with another crisis; the rise of methamphetamines. Psychostimulants, a classification of drugs that include methamphetamines, ecstasy, and ADHD prescriptions, have been causing more and more overdoses each year. Whereas, prescription opioid-related deaths in the city are actually falling.
7.5
death rate
There were 7.5 deaths per 100,000 people across the state of Nevada in 2016 from Psychostimulants.
32
percent
2016 saw a 32% increase in deaths from Psychostimulant use.
8.9
death rate
There were 8.9 deaths per 100,000 people across the state of Nevada in 2016 from Prescription Opioids.
9
percent
Deaths from prescription Opioids fell 9 percent in 2016 across the state of Nevada .
The Prescription Opioid Epidemic And Rise Of Heroin In Las Vegas
Overall, opioid-related deaths in Las Vegas have decreased from 2010 to 2018. The number of deaths tied to heroin use specifically, however, have nearly tripled. This growth is not necessarily tied to overdose but deals largely with unsafe practices that come with addiction. Sharing needles, for instance, is frequently the cause of spreading disease among intravenous users. In 2015, 45% of young injection users were diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a disease commonly spread through blood contamination. So much of an issue has arisen that Las Vegas became the first city in the US to roll out syringe vending machines to provide clean needles.
Alcoholism And Gambling Addiction In Las Vegas
The image synonymous with Las Vegas is a large group of people who go there with the intention of drinking. However, there isn’t a lot of data that can differentiate residents from tourists. There are very few people who check themselves into treatment in Las Vegas for alcoholism. Rather, alcoholism is usually a co-occurring disorder of another addiction, like gambling.
While it doesn’t involve a substance, gambling still triggers a dopamine reaction in the brain. Dopamine, which triggers the pleasure centers of the brain, will release when a person anticipates that gambling will soon commence. While this is destructive on its own, it can also be an indicator for some people to begin drinking. Reactions like this are often psychologically tied together. Someone has an addiction to gambling, so they are drawn to it. By extension, they may drink every time they gamble. After a while, they need a drink every time they gamble. This means the root of their problem is their gambling addiction. However, they will still build an addiction to alcohol just the same as someone who doesn’t gamble. Finding somewhere that treats both addictions is crucial to recovery.
Get Help During COVID-19
With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings.
Addiction Treatment in Las Vegas
Many of the people who suffer from addiction in Las Vegas may not necessarily live there. That doesn’t mean there isn’t support for locals though. If you need help finding a rehabilitation in Las Vegas, or out of the state entirely, there is hope. Reach out to a treatment provider today to locate nearby treatment centers.
