Top 20 Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Reno, NV & Free Treatment Resources

Reno, NV, is the largest city in northern Nevada and is located along the Nevada-California border. Nestled into the slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, attending treatment here is sure to provide spectacular mountain views and offer a more urban feel. There are nearly 25 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Reno, so no matter what type of treatment you’re looking for, you’ll find something to meet your individual needs.¹

Reno is the county seat and largest city in Washoe County. In 2019, there were 172 total drug overdose deaths reported in the county.¹

The top non-opioid listed as the cause of death was methamphetamine at 45%.¹

At 15%, fentanyl-related overdose deaths rose significantly in Reno and the surrounding area.

From 2020 to 2021, fentanyl-related deaths more than doubled in Washoe County.²

From 2013 to 2017, the alcohol-related death rate for those age 40 and up was more than double the U.S average.³

The cost of a drug or alcohol rehab in Reno depends on several factors. A facility that offers special amenities may cost a bit more than your typical treatment center. Costs can also vary between inpatient and outpatient facilities. If cost is an issue, there are free and low-cost options available in Reno.

Low-cost and free facilities are partially or fully paid for by state or federal funding. This often means the facility is a non-profit or supported completely by grant funding or donations.

To find a state-funded rehabs and detox centers in Reno, you can visit the Nevada Department of Health’s Substance Abuse and Prevention Treatment Agency website. You’ll need to be a resident of Nevada and meet certain income requirements.

Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, and people with disabilities. It’s funded by state and federal governments and overseen by individual states. Medicare is a federal program that extends health coverage primarily to people 65 and older or who have certain disabilities.

Medicaid and Medicare do provide coverage for addiction services, but there are restrictions. Not all facilities accept these two types of health coverage. You’ll need to look for an in-network provider or contact Medicare or Medicaid directly to make sure your care will be covered.

Private insurance will generally cover at least part of the cost of addiction treatment at Reno drug rehabs. Your specific health insurance plan will determine how much is covered and your potential out-of-pocket costs. Private insurance may also require you to attend care at an in-network provider.

Our support specialists can help you determine your insurance coverage, or you can call the number on the back of your card to speak to your provider directly.

Addiction rehab is a journey that can include multiple steps over the continuum of care. For many people, maintaining sobriety is a lifelong process. While it’s not required you go through all the steps listed below, chances are you will experience one or more of them as you go through addiction recovery.

Once you enter a treatment facility, you’ll undergo a substance abuse assessment. This assessment will determine if you have a drug or alcohol addiction, assess your level of addiction, and determine if you have a co-occurring mental health condition. The information will be used to make a diagnosis and create an effective treatment plan to meet your specific needs.

Medical Detox

Medical detox is typically the first step in the addiction rehab process. It involves clearing toxins from the body, such as drugs or alcohol.⁴ Medical detox is done under supervision and is designed to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal in a safe environment.⁴ If needed, doctors can prescribe medication to prevent complications and lessen some of the withdrawal symptoms.⁴

After detox, patients can transfer to an inpatient facility or outpatient treatment center to continue their recovery. Completing medical detox does not address the underlying causes of your addiction but allows you to continue your journey substance-free.⁴

Inpatient

An inpatient drug or alcohol rehab in Reno will be a more intensive program. You stay at the facility full-time and receive treatment from various healthcare professionals. Inpatient or residential treatment offers support in an environment free from distractions and temptations. This allows you to focus on your recovery fully.

Each day will feature structured activities that focus heavily on individual and group counseling sessions.

Step-Down Care

Once you’ve completed an inpatient or residential program, you may step down to the next level of care offered through an outpatient program. Outpatient programs offer more flexibility and allow you to live at home while receiving care. There are several types of outpatient programs that vary in their intensity. They can help build on the skills you’ve learned in your inpatient program while still providing necessary support and structure.

Depending on your level of addiction, an inpatient facility may not be the right place to start your recovery journey. If your addiction is relatively mild and you have a strong support system at home, outpatient treatment at a Reno drug rehab may be the best fit.

Standard Outpatient: A standard outpatient program offers patients the most flexibility. Most patients can schedule their sessions around school or work. This kind of outpatient usually only requires attendance 1 or 2 times a week. Group, family, or individual therapy is often included.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): The next step down from a PHP is an intensive outpatient program or IOP. An IOP requires you to attend care for at least 9 hours a week, spread out over 3-5 days.⁶ This number can go down as your recovery progresses. As the name suggests, this outpatient program allows you to go home each night.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): Considered the most intense form of outpatient care, a partial hospitalization program or PHP requires patients to attend care for several hours a day, most days of the week. Unlike inpatient, you are allowed to live at home. This type of treatment can be a good option for people who still need a high level of care but cannot commit to residential treatment.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Once you complete formal addiction treatment, your recovery journey isn’t at an end. It’s important to establish an aftercare and relapse prevention plan with your team to ensure your continued sobriety and success.

A relapse shouldn’t be considered a failure. It just means you need a little more support at this point in your recovery. That could mean returning to more formal care to get back on track.

Let’s break down several aftercare options:

12-Step Support Groups

12-step support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are two of the best-known aftercare options. AA and NA offer meetings across the country that are run by people who are in recovery.

SMART Recovery

There are other types of support groups if the 12-step program isn’t right for you. SMART Recovery is a self-help group based on cognitive behavioral therapy. Members learn how to change negative emotions, thinking patterns, and actions.

Sober Living Homes

A sober living home is a bridge between residential treatment and returning to life on your own. These drug and alcohol-free residences provide a safe and supportive environment for recovery.

Therapy

Continued therapy can help you work through any issues that may develop post-treatment and assist with developing a relapse presentation plan.

There are many things to consider when evaluating drug and alcohol rehabs in Reno. There is no one-size-fits-all plan, and what works for you may not be the right fit for someone else.

Here are a few things to think about while looking at facilities:

Inpatient vs. Outpatient: Deciding whether you want to pursue inpatient or outpatient care will help narrow down your choices considerably. Inpatient treatment requires you to live at the facility, while outpatient allows you to live at home. If you’re not sure which one would work best for you, a medical professional can do an evaluation and make a recommendation.

Treatment Approach: Not all Reno alcohol rehabs approach treatment with the same philosophy. Some may take a more holistic outlook, which incorporates more integrative therapies such as acupuncture and yoga. There are also faith-based and Christian programs that understand how spirituality can help people in their addiction recovery.

Population-Specific Treatment: There are also Reno drug rehabs targeted to specific populations. This can include men, women, teens, the LGBTQ+ population, and veterans. Population-specific care offers therapies and programs targeted to the unique needs of these individuals.

Cost: Cost should also play a factor when choosing addiction treatment in Reno. If you have insurance, you’ll want to find a facility that accepts your provider to get the most out of your coverage. If insurance isn’t an option, you’ll want to ask about any available financing options.

Location: Are you an outdoorsy type, or do you prefer a more urban setting? When looking at your options, think about location as well. You’ll want to find a setting where you’ll be most comfortable.

Amenities: A faciltity’s features and amenities can factor into your decision as well. Perhaps the privacy that comes with a private room is a must-have for your stay. If you like to exercise, a fitness center or pool may help make your treatment process a more positive one.

Program Rules: It’s always a good idea to know a program’s rules up front. If visitors are important to you during your recovery, then you’ll want to compare policies to find one that works for you.

There are other things to look for as well when considering a quality program.

Program Accreditation

An accredited drug or alcohol rehab in Reno has gone through a series of third-party evaluations where its programs and practices are compared to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities standards.

Staff Credentialing

The staff at a treatment program will include medical doctors or professional addiction specialists that are required to have certain credentials to practice.

Staff-to-Patient Ratio

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a good staff-to-patient ratio is a low one. This helps ensure each patient receives the necessary personalized care.

Aftercare Planning

More programs are helping patients create an aftercare plan, which provides social and medical support to maintain sobriety.

Financing Options

A quality treatment program will accept more than just self-pay when it comes to covering the costs of rehab.

Alumni Programs

Alumni programs create an instant sober support network made up of former patients.

Nevada and Reno have created programs designed to help people with a drug or alcohol addiction get the help they need.

Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act: The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act is designed to encourage people to seek out medical assistance in the event of an overdose. If you call 911 for yourself or an overdose victim, you are protected from prosecution for certain drug-related offenses. Additionally, the law allows greater access to naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug.

Reno Fresh Start DUI Program: This program provides treatment services instead of jail time for people who have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). To qualify, you must be a first-offense DUI offender with a blood alcohol content of over 0.18, have had a second DUI offense, or have multiple DUI convictions outside of a 7-year window. Participants can meet with the program’s designated clinician, who can provide individual and group counseling. The Fresh Start program lasts approximately 12-24 months.

Reno Courts Assisting Military Offenders (CAMO): The Reno Courts Assisting Military Offenses or CAMO is designed specifically for veterans or current members of the U.S. military who have been charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense. If they have also been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, the court will collaborate with the local Veterans Administration program to provide addiction treatment. The program lasts approximately 12-24 months. Once completed, the criminal charge is dismissed.

If you’re struggling to find accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Reno, call 800-681-1058 (Who Answers?) .

1. Washoe County Medical Examiner Jurisdiction. (n.d.). State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) for the period beginning January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019.
2. Drysdale, B. (2021, April 19). A Deadly Trend.
3. Washoe County Health District. (2019). Washoe Regional Behavioral Health Profile.
4. NIDA. (2020, June 3). Types of Treatment Programs.
5. Blevins, C. E., Abrantes, A. M., Kurth, M. E., Gordon, A. L., & Stein, M. D. (2017). Alcohol treatment outcomes following discharge from a partial hospital program. Journal of Substance Use, 22(6), 643–647.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorders.