Alcohol Treatment in South Dakota

A detoxification facility (whether it is at a rehabilitation facility or not) provides a safe environment for the patient. The staff member at a South Dakota alcohol detox program can help the person by providing appropriate care. When someone decides to stop drinking, they don't necessarily have to attend a detox or medical detox, but it would be a good idea if the symptoms get severe during the withdrawal. For example, one of the common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal is increased heart rate and high blood pressure. If this gets too severe, it can lead to complications, so being with professional caretakers can ensure that one's vitals are monitored and that the proper care is administered, which sometimes includes medications like Naltrexone and Vivitrol. Detoxification is just the first step. Once complete, the person should attend a comprehensive rehabilitation program to get to the core issues of their addiction.

An alcohol rehab facility should help its patients stop drinking, stay alcohol-free, and be a productive member of society. The many alcohol treatments in South Dakota can help a person achieve their goals by providing different services like vocational services, medical services, etc. The basis of treatment is usually therapy and evidence-based treatments to get the recovering alcoholic to understand themselves and overcomes their addiction. Assessments should be done by rehab staff before starting treatment and during treatment to make any adjustments necessary. The success of rehab depends on all the recovering alcoholic's issues being addressed, so choosing the right rehabilitation treatment is crucial. You can speak to one of our referral specialists to help you find the South Dakota alcohol rehab center that will suit your needs or those of your loved one.

South Dakota Short-Term vs. Long-Term Alcohol Treatment

When choosing an alcohol rehab treatment in South Dakota, you will have to choose between a long-term or short-term program. To figure out the best option between a short-term or long-term program, it is necessary to consider how long a person has been drinking and the severity of their alcoholism. No matter the duration, treatment facilities will usually offer services like individual or group therapy, family counseling, etc. The amount of time a person spends in treatment can impact their chances of success and the risk of relapse. A long-term rehab can be more effective if the recovering alcoholic has deeper issues linked to their addiction that needs to be addressed. A South Dakota short-term alcohol rehab can be successful if the addiction is lighter in nature. It can also be the right option if someone cannot logistically stay in rehab for months. The decision regarding the length of treatment is important and should not be overlooked.

South Dakota Alcohol Laws

This section is for informational purposes only. The laws in South Dakota can change over time. If you have legal questions or concerns, make sure to speak to a legal professional.

The legal drinking age in South Dakota is 21 years old. It is illegal for someone under this age to possess or consume alcohol. A violation can carry a fine and a driving privilege suspension of 30 days to one year. However, a minor is allowed to consume alcohol for religious purposes.

South Dakota Drunk Driving Laws

The law prohibits people (21 or older) from driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more in South Dakota. If someone is under the age of 21, the BAC limit is 0.02%. It is also illegal for someone to drive a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or more. South Dakota uses the term operating under the influence (OUI) instead of DUI.

Here is an overview of the penalties for DUI offenses in South Dakota. There can, however, be mitigating or aggravating factors that can influence the punishments linked to each violation. If you or someone you know are facing DUI charges, seek the help of a legal professional.

When a person younger than 21 years old gets a DUI conviction in South Dakota, the penalties are a fine of up to $500, 30 days of imprisonment, and a license suspension of 30 days (180 days for a second offense and one year for third or subsequent offenses).

Here is a picture of the DUI penalties for people over 21. Each of the following DUI offenses would have to occur within ten years of the previous ones to add up.

South Dakota Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Statistics

South Dakota's alcohol consumption was 2.87 gallons of alcohol per capita in 2020. This number is higher than the US average of 2.52 gallons per capita. Underage drinking is a problem in the state. A three-year average (2008 to 2010) showed that over 31% of the underage population in South Dakota drank alcohol.

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 60% of the population consumes alcohol. Stanley County and Harding County have the two highest rates of alcohol consumption, both at over 69%. Heavy drinking is also a problem, with around 9.8% of the population engaging in this type of drinking, which is higher than the national average of 8.2%. Furthermore, 23.1% engage in binge drinking; meanwhile, the national average is 18%. Excessive drinking can lead to devastating consequences.

In 2018, of all road fatalities in South Dakota, 34.6% were attributed to impaired driving. Of all the impaired-driving fatalities, 72.7% of impaired drivers had a BAC of 0.15% or more. There was a total of 5,891 DUI arrests that year. The silver lining is that between 2009 and 2018, there was a drop of over 23% in impaired-driving fatalities.

Here is a list of detox centers for Alcohol addiction in South Dakota. The list can be incomplete so if you cannot find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact one of our treatment specialists at 1-800-304-2219.

List of Alcohol Detox Programs in South Dakota