Is It Difficult to Get Sober In Las Vegas?

Getting clean and sober from drug & alcohol addiction in Las Vegas, NV is no more difficult than elsewhere, so long as you are committed to the process.

Getting sober in Las Vegas is a unique journey, given the city’s reputation for indulgence and nightlife. At the same rate, it’s also a place where transformation is possible, and where you can find a thriving sober community and plenty of activities to support your recovery. It’s true that Las Vegas, and Nevada in general, is known for being “that place” where, oftentimes, people will temporarily push the bounds and do things they might otherwise not. But for those who call Las Vegas their home, it’s a different story.

* For information, photos, maps, etc. on our sober living homes please visit our Las Vegas Locations page….

The Challenge of Sobriety in Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is known for its slew of temptations: casinos, bars, paid companionship, and basically a 24/7 party atmosphere. For someone in recovery, this can be overwhelming. The temptation to relapse might feel stronger here than in other places, but it’s important to remember that being immersed in the process of recovery presents some very effective tools to help you persevere. In fact, these tools, when truly utilized and relied upon, can enable a person to maintain sobriety while in an environment they never would have thought possible.

This may seem obvious to some, while others may be oblivious to it, but the views and conceptions of Las Vegas are quite different for out-of-towners than they are for the local residents. What is seen as a 72-hour excursion entailing compromised values and indulgence in otherwise unsatiated urges to the visitor, is nothing more than home sweet home to the full time Vegas resident, for the most part that is. The fact of the matter is, that drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, etc. are just as prevalent in many other parts of the country as they are in Las Vegas/Nevada, so let’s keep things in perspective.

Areas and Things to Avoid

There is a common saying in Alcoholics Anonymous, it goes, “If you hang out at the barbershop long enough, eventually you’ll end up getting a haircut.” It means basically, no matter how strong or well-founded one’s sobriety may be, if they place themselves in risky or precarious environments, without having a legitimate reason for being there, at some point temptation will overpower sobriety. You can also call it tempting fate, however, verbally tempting fate doesn’t necessarily guarantee that bad fate from occurring, whereas, for a drug addict or alcoholic to carelessly and/or over confidently place themselves in risky situations, for no legitimate reason, pretty much guarantees that at some point that fate of overwhelming temptation and eventual relapse will be at their front door.

Each person has their own unique triggers when it comes to relapsing back to active drug or alcohol addiction, but some triggers are just common sense and should probably be avoided by anyone in recovery, especially when their sobriety is new. In general, avoiding bars, dance clubs, drug & alcohol filled parties & celebrations, etc. is a good idea. In many cases, depending on the person, it may be a good idea to avoid casinos, card clubs, and brothels (paid companionship) since they are commonly associated with drug or alcohol use.

Then there are those parts of Las Vegas that are considered to be shady, and thus should probably be avoided (assuming the person has no legitimate reason for being there). Among the areas of Las Vegas that should probably be avoided are:

• • West Las Vegas – Located near the Strip, with a population of roughly 20,000 and a crime rate that is about 500% above the national average.
  • Rancho Charleston – Located west of downtown, with a population near 29,000 and likewise a crime rate that is around 500% the national average.
  • Buffalo – Centrally located, Buffalo is considered to be one of the top 2 or 3 most dangerous sections of Las Vegas and Clarke County in general. It is rated at about 460% more dangerous than the national per-city average.
  • Charleston Heights – Also considered as being among the top 3 or 4 most dangerous sections of Vegas. Additionally, it is well known in the area for having substantial gang activity.
  • Twin Lakes – Located in Northwestern Las Vegas near the Wildfire Ranch and the Neon Museum. It is known for its narcotics activity, gang violence and the occasional wandering coyote along its city streets..
  • East Las Vegas – This section borders the Strip and has a population nearing 35.000. The crime rate in East Las Vegas is close to 200% of the national per-city average.

Sources:

• https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov
• https://propertyclub.nyc/article/most-dangerous-neighborhoods-in-las-vegas

Building a Support System and Routine

Drug and alcohol addiction is unique to each person; and likewise, so is their individual recovery process. Their are countless paths one might follow as they transition from active drug or alcohol addiction to a life in sobriety. For instance, as one individual might find their life becoming unmanageable from substance abuse, he or she may find the key to achieving long-term sobriety by regular attendance to AA or NA meetings and/or possible enrollment into outpatient drug rehab. And for another individual, a much more intensive path may be required, such as short-term or even long-term residential addiction treatment.

A key component in sobriety, however, which is often compromised in subtle ways over time, is the understanding that “getting sober” is different than “staying sober.”  In a nutshell, that sense of life and death urgency that is commonly present when a person first gets sober tends to diminish over time. Those major problems they were facing, as a result of their drinking or drug use, are now gone or at least no longer front and center. And as the urgency and ultimatums slowly fade, likewise, it is common to see the individual’s resolve toward sobriety diminish as a result. For this reason, it is very important to build a routine and a strong support system. Fortunately, Las Vegas happens to have a very strong and vibrant recovery community.

One more thing to keep in mind is that, your chance for success in sobriety remains very low if you don’t give up your old bad associations and bad hangouts. At the same, giving up those old things can’t result in now having extensive idle time that generates feelings boredom, melancholy, and a general sense of drab. That down time needs to  be replaced with good things.

Here are a few ideas:

• • Start going to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 12-Step meetings – Maybe for the initial few weeks try a bunch of different meetings around town, find the ones you like most and make them part of your weekly meeting regimen (when you attend the same meetings each week you’ll get to know all the regulars and thus establish new sober friendships).
  • If you decide to follow the 12-Step approach to recovery (AA, NA, CA, etc.) then be sure to find a sponsor and work closely with them – Men should have a male sponsor and females a woman sponsor.
  • Some 12-Step alternatives – SMART Recovery, Rational Recovery, Faith-Based, and Agape
  • Attend sober events – Get out of your comfort zone and be social, create a sober community for yourself. There are always sober events like, AA & NA conventions, dances, holiday parties, etc. You can find out about these events at meetings, meeting halls, or by calling central office.
    • AA – https://www.lvcentraloffice.org | (702) 598-1888 } 1515 East Tropicana Ave, Suite 710, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
    • NA – https://region51na.org | (888) 495-3222 | 1700 E Desert Inn Rd #409, Las Vegas, NV 89169
  • Try doing new things, activities, hobbies, excursions, and so on; maybe join a biking club or outdoor adventure club, or something of the sort – People new in recovery often have difficulty having fun and experiencing simple pleasures without the use of drug & alcohol. The more you counter that difficulty, the sooner you overcome it.

Dealing With Cravings

Cravings are a natural part of recovery, and it’s important to have strategies in place to manage them. When cravings arise, try grounding techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises. Reach out to a sponsor or a trusted friend for support. Many recovery groups in Las Vegas, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, offer meetings throughout the city, providing a safe space to share your struggles and find encouragement.

Another way of dealing with cravings is by forcing yourself out of your own head and being of service to someone or something else. Keep in mind, however, that going this route tends to work better if the service you offer is on a volunteer basis, without any expectation of anything in return.

In Conclusion

There is so much more on this topic that can be said. The fact of the matter is, getting sober and staying sober in Las Vegas, Nevada is no more difficult than it is anywhere else among those who are truly committed to their personal recovery from addiction or alcoholism. There are always going to be temptations and cravings no matter where you are.