ABOUT DESERT HOPE TREATMENT CENTER
Desert Hope Treatment Center remains open and committed to providing critical addiction treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic. As per the updated CDC guidelines, patients who are vaccinated may not need to quarantine upon admissions. Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 should bring their vaccination cards to the facility when they enter treatment. COVID-19 testing at Desert Hope remains available, and the facility is accepting both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.
Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nev. is a residential treatment center for adult men and women seeking treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring conditions. It is one of Nevada’s 25 (32.5 percent) of private, for-profit treatment facilities. It is owned and operated by American Addiction Centers. Desert Hope also offers an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP). Medical detox is available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Clients at Desert Hope Treatment Center are assigned a customized treatment plan based on their history of substance abuse and co-occurring conditions. Desert Hope recommends 90 days of treatment, though the length of stay depends on the individual. This makes Desert Hope Treatment Center one of Nevada’s 22 (28.6 percent) of long-term treatment facilities.
The treatment process includes a range of therapy methods that are essential to substance abuse treatment. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). The treatment staff also uses trauma-informed treatment methods such as seeking safety.
Treatment begins with medical detox as needed and includes individual, group, and family therapy. Individuals participate in gender-specific groups and 12-step programming, which is only available in 57 (74 percent) of Nevada’s treatment facilities.
Desert Hope's curriculum, “Embracing Change: Recovery for Life,” is used for treating co-occurring conditions. Holistic programming in the form of yoga, meditation, and art is offered.
Clients who complete the treatment process join the aftercare program. The aftercare program includes continuing services that focus on the Five Essential Elements program. Clients continue to meet with counselors periodically and attend group meetings. Clients that complete treatment are also allowed an additional, complimentary 30 days of treatment if they relapse.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The staff at Desert Hope Treatment Center includes licensed therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and physicians, psychologists, social workers, and behavioral health technicians. Desert Hope Treatment Center is one of Nevada’s 13 (16.9 percent) facilities accredited by The Joint Commission, as well as the 18 (23.4 percent) facilities accredited by CARF.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Desert Hope Treatment Center is a modern facility with upscale decor and updated amenities. There is an indoor gym, housekeeping services, and daily meals provided. It sits in the middle of a residential area and has managed outdoor spaces for clients to enjoy. The facility can accommodate 148 clients at a time. Private and shared hotel-style rooms are available.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The feedback from more than 200 alumni of Desert Hope Treatment Center gave positive feedback about their experience and recommended treatment there.
Holistic Offerings: 3.25/5
Affordability: 4.5/5
Cleanliness: 4.75/5
Counseling Options: 4.25/5
Many individuals polled gave positive feedback about the care given by staff. Alumni referred to staff as "compassionate," "very well trained," "friendly," "attentive," and "helpful." Commenter B.N.B wrote: "I was very impressed that a lot of the staff were in recovery, so they could relate to what we were going thru."
Despite this positive feedback, there was some negative feedback. Negative commentary mentioned disorganization and a lack of communication between staff. "A downfall was that the groups are repetitive," wrote Erin, "...i felt like my issues were not addressed in therapy." “I didn't get a whole lot of 1 on 1 time with my case worker or therapist,” commented Justin.
Alumni also complained about a lack of holistic/extracurricular activities. A.R. wrote: "The gym equipment needs to be repaired." M.J. added: "Needs more extra curricular activities, such as weekly outings." “There was not enough equipment for exercise and not enough extracurricular activities,” Bryan wrote.
On Google, Desert Hope Addiction Treatment Center has a four out of five star average rating from 164 reviews at the time of this writing. While some alumni wrote how they “left feeling worse than when I arrived,” most of the feedback was positive, citing long term recovery success and “amazing and very helpful” staff.
On Yelp, 44 of the 51 reviews to date were very negative, with a majority of alumni giving only one out of five stars. Reviewers described the facility as “dangerous” and indicated that they felt “Lied to.” Some even went as far as to warn others about coming to the facility, including Mary, who wrote in a representative review: “Don't believe anything positive about this facility! Very unprofessional and they treat everyone regardless of their condition the same.”
On Facebook, where the facility can manage its own page, Desert Hope Treatment Center has an average rating of 4.1 out of five stars from 92 reviews to date. Many alumni indicated that the program was effective and the staff “truly care about the safety and well being of their clients.” Positive feedback was given about the food and facility itself.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Four loved ones surveyed by Rehabs.com to date gave Desert Hope mixed reviews. Most of the loved ones indicated satisfaction with holistic offerings, visitor policy, and the level of family participation. “The staff has been amazing at keeping the family updated and have taken excellent care of my loved one,” wrote one anonymous loved one.
However, two loved ones cited problematic therapy sessions. "My daughter said the group sessions were led by unskilled leaders and the once-per-week one-on-sessions were good but not nearly enough," wrote parent W. Another loved one similarly reported a problem with care. “He is at residential level of care. We have not had a family session," Christa wrote. "His therapist says they only provide family sessions to families that live in the state.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
Nine staff members polled by Rehabs.com to date provided praise for Desert Hope regarding the quality of staff and treatment. "Desert Hope provides a comprehensive facility to address the various needs of clients who are seeking recovery," wrote E.O. in a representative review. "The staff is dedicated to assisting clients along their journey in any way they can."
FINANCING
Desert Hope accepts most private insurance plans and offers self-pay and payment plan options. Find out if your insurance covers some or all treatment costs.
CONCLUSION
The Nevada Current reported Desert Hope has experienced two client deaths at the facility since 2016. These deaths were reported to and investigated by the state and written about in an article by . One client died in 2016 of suicide, which resulted in a lawsuit by the deceased’s parents, and the other death occurred in 2018 from ethanolism (alcohol poisoning).