ABOUT VITALITY ACTIONS
Founded in 1971 and partially funded by southern Nevada’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA), Vitality Unlimited is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addiction treatment. Vitality ACTIONS, one of the organization’s facilities, was established in 1989 in Elko, Nev. This program provides highly structured residential treatment for adolescent women between the ages of 12 and 17 who are struggling with substance abuse and a dual diagnosis. Pregnant women and intravenous drug users are given priority for treatment. Medical detox services are not offered on-site.
Residential treatment for adults, as well as outpatient treatment for adolescents, is available at separate facilities.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to its website, Vitality ACTIONS “offers a safe haven where participants can recover from substance abuse and claim their future.” The holistic treatment program focuses on developing clients’ cognitive, behavioral, social, language, reading, vocational, and other skills to help them overcome their alcohol, drug, and related issues. The length of stay varies depending on the client’s diagnosis, severity, and response to treatment.
Treatment begins with an assessment, which is conducted by a mental health professional in applicable cases. This assessment may also evaluate potential mental health disorders.
The core of the intensive treatment program is individual and group counseling. Additional treatment modalities include life-skills training, peer assessment, experiential learning, goal setting, anger management classes, relapse prevention, and a focus on self-growth and respect for self and others. On-site, the facility also provides General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes and continued educational classes. Each client receives a personalized continuing care plan.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Vitality ACTIONS is staffed 24 hours a day. The treatment team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing staff, rehabilitation technicians, licensed clinical addiction counselors, a dietitian, and a credentialed school teacher. Two individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com rated the facility’s level of support and training received from staff. One gave the facility four out of five stars in both categories, while the other awarded just two stars for the staff’s level of training and experience.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Vitality ACTIONS provides a home-like atmosphere and offers dietitian-approved meals. The facility features comfortable meeting rooms, modest sleeping quarters, and a large kitchen as shown in photos on the website. During treatment, communication with loved ones is restricted, and smoking and smokeless tobacco use are prohibited.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com provided largely positive feedback about Vitality ACTIONS. Both would recommend treatment at this center and gave high ratings for overall effectiveness and meals and nutrition, averaging 4.5 out of five stars. Accommodations and amenities received 3.5 stars. However, both alumni gave lower ratings of three stars and one star for holistic options.
One reviewer mentioned that the program was “very structured and kept us busy from wake-up until late in the evening.” They also noted a high turnover of employees. The other reviewer stated that the center helped them refocus their priorities and understand what may have contributed to their previous behaviors. They stated that they had a positive experience, but emphasized the importance of wanting a change in one’s life for it to happen.
FINANCING
Vitality ACTIONS accepts most insurance policies, including Medicaid, and offers a sliding fee scale for qualifying clients. One alum surveyed by Best-rehabs.com rated the center’s affordability four out of five stars.