South Lake Tahoe, CA Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers

Last Updated: August 09, 2024

South Lake Tahoe Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Detox & Treatment Resources

South Lake Tahoe, located on the banks of Lake Tahoe, is a small resort city in the Sierra Nevada. The city has a population of under 22,000, and it’s the largest city in El Dorado County. With an altitude of 6,225 feet above sea level, South Lake Tahoe experiences high snow falls, and there are several ski resorts in its immediate vicinity. In 2016, over 300 inches of snow were recorded, and skiing conditions were good from December through to April. In spring, after the snow melts, South Lake Tahoe offers numerous outdoor activities such as water sports, fishing, hiking and swimming. Consequently, South Lake Tahoe is busy all year round and its population swells by several thousand during summer holidays and the ski season.

A significant percentage of South Lake Tahoe’s population is employed in the food, entertainment and service industries. In part becaue of its status as a resort city with frequent partying taking place, South Lake Tahoe experiences relatively high levels of recreational drug use. Additionally, there is a serious problem with opioid abuse in the city. According to authorities, many users started using a prescription opioid and then, as availability became more difficult, turned to heroin. Over an 18-month period between 2011 and 2012, 19 people died from opioid drug overdoses in South Lake Tahoe.

Fortunately, it’s possible for those struggling with addiction to get help. The greater availability of the antidote, naloxone, means that there are now fewer deaths relating to opioid overdose. Rehabilitation is possible for those who are serious about overcoming their dependence on drugs and alcohol. There are a number of treatment facilities in South Lake Tahoe. There are also others further afield, in Sacramento and Carson, Nevada. Additionally, there are several national networks that offer rehabilitation services.

Our Closest Facility:

The Recovery Village Ridgefield Drug and Alcohol Rehab
888 Hillhurst Rd. Ridgefield, WA 98642
(360) 857-0007

The Recovery Village does not operate in the state of California. Our closest facility is in Ridgefield, WA and can be seen in the map above.

Finding Help in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe, CA Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers, California Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers Alcohol Rehab Centers and Drug Centers

It takes bravery and commitment to enter a South Lake Tahoe, CA Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers drug treatment facility or rehabilitation program. Many people enter and complete drug or alcohol treatment more than once. That’s okay. It’s not how many times you fall down that defines you, but how many times you get back up and try again. Whether it’s your first time entering a South Lake Tahoe, CA Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers drug rehab or you’re repeating a recovery plan, take some time to consider which type of program is best for your needs. All drug and alcohol abuse programs require a time commitment on your part, with a month being the minimum time required to complete most plans.

Residential Treatment Programs

Residential treatment plans may last a month to six months. Patients check in and remain at the treatment facility for the duration of the program. A structured schedule of daily activities keeps you busy getting your life back on track, and may include a combination of medical exams, mental health counseling, educational gatherings and behavioral therapy. You may be prescribed medications to soothe any anxiety or other effects of weaning yourself from drugs and alcohol. The primary benefits of inpatient drug rehab are twofold. First, you have your basic needs met so you can focus on getting well. Second, you’re removed from people, easy access and situations that may trigger you to use drugs or alcohol in weak moments.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

It’s not always possible to stay long-term in a South Lake Tahoe, CA Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers alcohol treatment facility or drug rehab center, either for personal or financial reasons. Perhaps you must help your partner or child, or you have severe anxiety about sleeping away from your own home. A partial hospitalization program gives you all of the organized activities of a residential program with the security of being in your own bedroom each night. You will need to show that you can refrain from accessing drugs or alcohol when you return home from the treatment program each night, and you’ll be tested to make certain you’re being honest.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient substance-abuse treatment programs are a lifeline for people who don’t believe they have time to go to rehab. If you can’t quit working or attending college, you can still get help with your drug and alcohol misuse disorder. An intake counselor will help you determine which classes, therapies and other treatment features will help you, and these activities will be scheduled to work with your other commitments. As with partial hospitalization therapy, you must be strong enough to resist temptation and have strong support to keep you on track.

Consider which type of drug abuse treatment plan is best for your situation. If possible, develop a network of people who can help you throughout your treatment regimen.

Detox Centers

If you’ve tried to stop your drug or alcohol intake and failed, you realize how hard it can be to break bad habits and substance misuse on your own. Some drugs and alcohol have such profound effects on the body, your life may be threatened when you abruptly quit your intake of these substances. Even if your life’s not in physical danger, the symptoms of withdrawal may be so unbearable, you end up using drugs or alcohol again despite your best intentions.

With supervised detoxification you have a team of health care professionals monitoring you and helping you work through your physical, mental and emotional changes. You may be administered medicine to reduce your discomfort or cravings. You’re more likely to continue with drug detox than when trying to go it alone.

Recovery Meetings Near You

Following treatment, those in recovery often benefit from aftercare in the form of attendance at a local recovery meeting. These meetings are generally held every week and are attended by others who have traveled the same road. The purpose of a recovery meeting is to obtain emotional support from people who understand substance dependence and for those in recovery to share their own experiences. Additionally, members look out for each other and, for those who are recently in recovery, sponsors will be appointed who are available day or night to help new members.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous is for recovering alcoholics. The organization was founded in 1935 and is nationally represented with meetings in virtually every city and town. AA, as it is known, offers anonymity, and the weekly meetings are generally closed. AA follows a 12-step program. This program recognizes the presence of a higher power to help recovering alcoholics stay emotionally stable and sober. The higher power is not defined, except as individually understood, and AA does not prescribe or support any particular religious point of view.

South Shore Group
Escobar Training Building,
972-B Tallac Ave.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Kingsbury Group
160 Pine Ridge Dr.
Stateline, NV 89449

South Y Group
Hope Lutheran Church
930 Julie Ln.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous is an organization for those in recovery from substance dependence. NA uses a modified version of AA’s 12-step program. NA was formed in 1953. The organization operates in a very similar manner to AA, with weekly meetings and the appointment of sponsors. Because many drugs are illegal, NA members, who may or may not be in recovery, remain anonymous.

Barton Memorial Hospital
2170 South Ave.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Recreation Center
1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Tahoe Turning Point – Outpatient Services
2494 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

SMART Recovery Meetings

SMART Recovery adopts a completely different methodology to AA and NA. The organization, which was formed in 1994, maintains a rational, scientific approach. Relying on facilitators and mentors, SMART Recovery runs weekly educational and supportive meetings with time for open discussions that focus on self-directed life changes. SMART Recovery is open to anyone suffering from alcohol or drug dependence. Additionally, the organization welcomes anyone suffering from any other form of addictive behavior.

A Balanced Life, Inc.
2100 Eloise Ave.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Al-Anon and Nar-Anon Meetings

Families of those who are dependent on alcohol can find help and support from Al-Anon. The organization was formed in 1951 when it was realized that families of alcoholics faced many challenges and needed help and support to deal with the addictive behavior of their loved ones. Nar-Anon was born in 1971 for similar reasons. Both organizations use variations of the AA and NA 12-step programs. Meetings are open to anyone affected by the substance misuse of others.

Al-Anon
Sierra Community Church,
1165 Sierra Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Nar-Anon
Carson Cares
1711 North Roop St.
Carson City, NV 89706

Those seeking help can also find additional help and resources in other local cities in California.