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Physical Effects of Opiate Addiction

Opiates are naturally derived opioids that come from the poppy plant. Natural opiates include pain medication such as morphine and codeine, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. They are very effective in treating pain but come with a high risk of addiction. The effects of opiate addiction are different for each patient, and symptoms can become so severe that they lead to death. Opiate addiction treatment can help patients struggling with opiate addiction before their symptoms completely consume them.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide discreet outpatient treatment for men and women struggling with addiction to opiates or other substances. We will perform a thorough physical and mental evaluation to provide the most effective treatment for your unique symptoms. If you or a loved one struggles with opiate addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our programs.

The Physical Effects of Opiate Addiction

Opiates can have a significant effect on your physical and mental health. Long-term use of opiates or taking more than the recommended amount can quickly lead to addiction and serious physical harm. As you take more, your body will crave more of the drug, even to the detriment of your health.

Some of the more severe physical effects of opiate addiction include:

  • Respiratory failure – Opiates reduce pain and slow breathing down to induce relaxation. Higher doses of opiates can cause oxygen deprivation, leading to brain damage, organ failure, and death.
  • Gastrointestinal damage – Opiate abuse affects the stomach muscles in your digestive system and slows the digestive process. It can lead to a condition known as opiate bowel dysfunction that causes chronic constipation, nausea, bloating, ileus, and severe stomach pain.
  • Liver damage – Some opiates contain acetaminophen, and high doses of this chemical can damage the liver and lead to acetaminophen toxicity.
  • Epidermis damage – Patients who inject opiates like heroin will face painful skin lesions, abscesses, gum disease, and scarring.

The physical effects of opiate addiction can be devastating and can lead to irreversible damage and death. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer private outpatient opiate rehab in Colorado for those who are ready to make a positive change in their lives.

Advantages of an Opiate Addiction Treatment Program

An opiate addiction treatment program can help you in many ways. It can give you a temporary break from the daily stresses of life and offers a safe and encouraging space to work on your recovery. Plus, it will significantly reduce the risk of relapse as your cravings and withdrawal symptoms are more manageable when you get help from opiate rehab in Colorado.

Other benefits of an opiate addiction treatment program include:

  • Medication-assisted treatment to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
  • Behavioral therapy to cope with negative thinking and habits that led to your addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorder.
  • Family support to rebuild relationships, provide mental health support for all family members, and develop a stronger family bond.
  • Increased self-esteem and confidence in your ability to lead a sober and productive life.
  • A wide network of support that includes peer and family support.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: Opiate Rehab in Colorado

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide safe and effective outpatient treatment for men and women struggling with opiate addiction. Our opiate addiction treatment program can help reduce the effects of opiate addiction through various programs that include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Medication-assisted treatment
  • Family therapy and support
  • Group therapy

Our opiate rehab in Colorado offers therapy that works around your schedule and can include in-person day and evening programs, including telehealth services. For more information about our opiate addiction treatment program and how it can help you break free of opiate addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our supportive and knowledgeable staff.

How Case Management Can Help You Navigate Recovery

Providing effective care for addiction treatment takes multiple therapy and treatment options. Because addiction affects each person in unique ways, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Addiction case management provides effective care that works with your changing needs and updates your care accordingly. A case management program offers support for all aspects of your care from start to finish.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer outpatient treatment for men and women struggling with addiction or other mental health disorders. To ensure you get the maximum benefits from your treatment, our case management program will monitor your progress and make adjustments if something is not working. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our knowledgeable staff about addiction case management.

What Is Case Management and How Can It Help with Your Addiction?

Addiction case management allows therapists and staff to work together to help with your individual needs for addiction recovery. It is a coordinated effort between therapists and medical staff to build an effective treatment plan that combines different behavioral and holistic therapy along with medication-assisted treatment. It can also help with services such as employment searches, transportation, and getting involved with the addiction community.

Your case manager will work with you, your family, and all staff involved with your care. They will advocate for you and speak on your behalf when you are unable to do so due to your addiction. Your addiction case management team will:

  • Gather all personal information
  • Assess your physical and mental health
  • Develop and monitor all treatment and case planning
  • Linking patients with other programs and services
  • Monitor your progress and follow up with therapists and staff
  • Provide advocacy and support

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide recovery case management for men and women ready to beat their addiction and make a positive change in their lives. Your case manager will work on your behalf to ensure you have everything you need and you are progressing through your program according to your agreed-upon timeline.

Four Levels of Recovery Case Management

There are four levels of recovery case management. Each level builds on the other to provide a more effective treatment program.

  • Intake – This first step is where your case manager will find out about your needs and goals and gather all personal information. This includes health insurance, medical history, and other necessary information to provide the appropriate level of care.
  • Needs assessment – Taking all of the information from intake along with assessing your physical and mental health, your case manager will discuss your treatment plan and what to expect. They will discuss the risks involved and answer any questions you have about the process. As you progress through the program, they will continue to monitor you and update your treatment as necessary.
  • Service planning – Your case manager will identify your specific goals and objectives and implement a plan to begin your treatment. They will create a timeline for each phase of your recovery with specific metrics you need to meet to move to the next level of your recovery.
  • Monitoring and evaluating – Your case manager will monitor your progress and update your plan if they feel it is not the best treatment for your recovery. This includes working with medical staff to update medications to help reduce withdrawals and cravings. Plus, working with therapists to ensure you are progressing per the goals and timeline created in level three.

For Effective Addiction Case Management, Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Our addiction case management program at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery helps patients progress through their recovery based on their individual needs and goals. To learn more about and how it can benefit you on your road to recovery, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our compassionate staff.

Best MAT Program near Westminster, Colorado

The physical effects of drug addiction often require medication to help reduce the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction. A medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program near Westminster, Colorado allows patients to begin working on their recovery immediately instead of waiting seven to 21 days for their withdrawal symptoms to diminish. Discover how a medication-assisted treatment program near Westminster can help your addiction recovery at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery.

Our addiction treatment center specializes in medication-assisted treatment along with behavioral therapy for a whole-person approach to treating your addiction. We help patients who are ready to make a change in their lives while still keeping up with life responsibilities through our outpatient and telehealth services. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our friendly staff about our MAT program near Westminster, Colorado.

What Is a MAT Program?

Medication-assisted treatment or MAT program is a form of addiction treatment that uses FDA-approved medications to block fast-acting opioids and alcohol from releasing dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel pleasure. Currently, there are several types of medications proven to help with addiction, including:

  • Buprenorphine
  • Suboxone
  • Naltrexone
  • Methadone

A medication-assisted treatment program will use one or multiple medications to get you the most benefits for your addiction recovery. Medical staff will monitor your progress throughout the program to minimize side effects and reduce the risk of forming an addiction to the medication.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers the best medication-assisted treatment program near Westminster, Colorado. Our medical staff and behavioral therapists will work together to create the most effective addiction treatment plan for your individual symptoms. They will help make you safe and comfortable while working on your recovery.

How Can a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Benefit You?

If you are struggling with addiction and have tried quitting on your own, you understand how difficult it can be to get through the physical withdrawal symptoms. The difficulty in quitting makes many men and women feel helpless against their growing cravings. When they give in, they are at risk of overdose and death if they use the same amount without regard to their reduced tolerance.

A medication-assisted treatment program reduces the severity of your withdrawal symptoms so you can focus on your recovery. Patients who receive medication through an addiction treatment program and behavioral therapy form healthy coping skills that will help them maintain their sobriety. Other benefits of a medication-assisted treatment program include:

  • Controls cravings and withdrawal symptoms for a safer detox
  • Significantly decreases the risk of death by overdose
  • Improves the patient’s desire and ability to continue treatment
  • Decreases risky behavior that is associated with drug abuse
  • Improves chances of finding/maintaining employment
  • Work on rebuilding broken relationships

A MAT program near Westminster, Colorado, allows patients to continue their work and personal lives while working on their addiction recovery. When you begin your treatment program, your current physical and mental state, plus the seriousness of addiction, will determine the best form of treatment for you.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Offers the Best MAT Program near Westminster, Colorado

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we give Colorado residents relief from their withdrawal symptoms through our MAT program. To keep our patients from relapsing, we closely monitor their progress and update any medication accordingly. As you improve, your reliance on the medications will diminish until you no longer need it to maintain your sobriety.

Along with our medication-assisted treatment, your treatment program may include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Group and individual therapy
  • Neurofeedback therapy
  • Family counseling
  • Case management and peer support

For the best MAT program near Westminster, Colorado to help with your addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our medication-assisted treatment program near Westminster, Colorado.

Step 3 in the 12-Step Process

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

In the first two steps of the twelve-step program, we are asked to reflect on our own lives. In step one, we are asked to reflect on our powerlessness and the unmanageability in our lives. In step two, we are asked to reflect on what our higher power looks like; what we believe in. In step three, however, we shift from a stance of reflection to a stance of action. Step three is all about pushing away from our self-will and welcoming in a sense of willingness.

So, what does self-will and willingness mean? Self-will is all about stubbornness. It is about doing what an individual wants without regard for the wishes of others. It is a belief that you are right and will argue with anyone who disagrees. It is about a desire for independence, control, and is typically rooted in egotism. On the other hand, willingness is all about readiness and flexibility. It is rooted in trust outside the self.

Before continuing, I feel it is important to address the religious influence in step three with the use of the word “God.” As I had previously mentioned in my discussion of step two, twelve-step programs are not inherently religious and there is no requirement that the individual practice religion or believe in God. Rather, the important piece of step three is the last part, “…as we understood Him.” This piece reminds us that it is not about God, but about whatever the individual has identified as their higher power. Perhaps that higher power resides in nature, science, or the twelve-step program itself. In this step, the individual is asked to loosen their grip on the desire to control their lives and instead places faith, trust, and hope in their higher power. It is about aligning the will of the individual with their higher power. In this step the individual begins to experience serenity.

Step three also introduces a component of the twelve-step program that countless individuals have found monumental to their recovery: the Serenity Prayer.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done.

The Serenity Prayer introduces a key concept that extends far beyond recovery and has useful applications across life. In it, we examine and recognize the limits of our control. The prayer highlights the notion that there are some things we can control and some things we cannot. For example, we cannot control the behaviors of others but do have control over how we react to any given situation. When we attempt to control something that is uncontrollable, we are often left feeling angry or dejected when things don’t go our way. The Serenity Prayer encourages us to ask ourselves, ‘Is this situation something worth getting upset over or is it out of my control?’

By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Addiction IOP Available near Westminster, Colorado

Addiction rates continue to climb in the U.S., with more and more people searching for help with addiction and mental health issues. Addiction IOP near Westminster, Colorado, is a form of addiction treatment that works best for those who cannot take time away from work and family commitments. If you do not have any co-occurring mental health issues that fuel your addiction, an IOP near Westminster, Colorado can help restore your health and well-being.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our intensive outpatient program near Westminster can help with all types of addiction. We combine medication-assisted treatment with behavioral therapy for a well-rounded treatment plan with a proven track record of sustainable sobriety. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our addiction IOP near Westminster, Colorado.

What Is Addiction IOP near Westminster, Colorado?

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) helps men and women struggling with addiction who have a stable and sober home environment. Patients attend anywhere from 10-20 hours per week of behavioral therapy during the day or evening while medical staff administers medications to help ease their withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Having a supportive and sober home environment is critical for addiction IOP to work.

An Intensive outpatient program near Westminster offers a more flexible treatment option for busy professionals, students, and stay-at-home mothers. Patients need to follow strict therapy and medication schedules while avoiding activities that trigger their addiction. An outpatient program only works if patients can maintain their sobriety without 24/7 care.

What to Expect from an Intensive Outpatient Program

Addiction does not affect everyone the same way. There are a lot of factors that come into play that can make one person more susceptible to addiction than another. Family history, genetics, current affairs, and the environment in which you grew up can all affect your ability to control your cravings and addiction. Your current physical and mental health will determine which type of addiction treatment program is right for your unique symptoms.

Medical staff and therapists will perform a complete evaluation to determine the best form of treatment. For those whose addiction severity does not require round-the-clock care, you can expect the following from your IOP near Westminster:

  • Individual behavioral therapy sessions to help you get a better understanding of addiction and how it affects your thinking and emotions.
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help reduce the painful physical withdrawal symptoms of addiction and curb your cravings so you can focus on your recovery and not your symptoms.
  • Group therapy with your peers where you will learn and practice coping skills that will help you maintain your sobriety and build a strong network of sober peer support.
  • Family counseling to help restore fractured relationships and get everyone on board with helping with your recovery.

Throughout your addiction IOP program, staff will monitor your progress to ensure you are working towards sustainable sobriety.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: Our Intensive Outpatient Program near Westminster, Colorado

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our intensive outpatient program near Westminster can help men and women struggling with addiction. Our programs help patients reach their goals of a healthy and sober lifestyle. Our success rate is due to combining several types of therapy that are beneficial in helping patients maintain their sobriety. Our therapy programs and services include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Group and individual therapy
  • Family counseling
  • Neurofeedback therapy
  • Case management and peer support

Don’t wait for your addiction to worsen to the point where you need 24/7 care. Take steps now to regain control of your life by calling 833.448.0127 today to learn how our addiction IOP in Westminster, Colorado can help your recovery.

Step 1 in the 12-Step Process

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STEP ONE
“We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable.”

What does the word ‘powerless’ mean to you? What images or feelings does it conjure up? In my experience, it often brings about associations of weakness, inadequacy, and incapability. For those of us familiar with Greek mythology, perhaps you think of Sisyphus’ powerlessness in his eternal struggle of pushing the boulder up the hill, only for it to roll down every time that he approached the top of the hill. He was a prisoner to this task and, as such, the ensuing feelings of weakness, inadequacy, and incapability that came with it. That is exactly why Zeus punished Sisyphus with this hopeless task. Well, what if Sisyphus had realized and accepted his own powerlessness in this task? What if he accepted the hopelessness in getting the boulder to the top of the hill? How might that have changed things for him?

In step one of the twelve-step program, we are asked to admit a powerlessness over our substance or behavior, recognizing that our lives are currently ungovernable. Given the aforementioned associations to ‘powerlessness’, it is entirely understandable to respond to this step with resistance. Perhaps we think we can simply work harder to control our use. Or perhaps we deny the extent to which the substance or behavior influences our lives. (How many times have you said or heard the phrase: “I could stop my use if I really wanted to”?)

When we feel powerless, there is a natural and instinctual drive to tighten our grip, clamp down, and attempt to secure power and control. However, step one contends that, paradoxically, there is a certain power in admitting our powerlessness; that we are granted a hope in admitting our hopelessness. In recognizing our inability to control our use, we actually form a solid bedrock and foundation for working towards happy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives. In recognizing and accepting our own limitations, only then do we enable ourselves to look beyond our own beliefs. Only then do we open our minds to different ways of thinking. Only then are we truly willing to listen. Only then are we truly willing to try something different. Only then are we truly willing to change.

By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

12-Steps Overview

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Often times, people think of recovery synonymously with twelve-step programs. While there are a variety of different approaches to recovery, the twelve-step program has certainly held its place as a staple in addiction recovery. Given the popularity and notoriety of the twelve-step program, it seems appropriate to do a brief review of the program’s philosophy and current applications.

The twelve-step program is most commonly associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. However, other more targeted twelve-step programs have emerged over the years to include other drug addictions (i.e. Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, etc.) and behavioral addictions (Gamblers Anonymous, Food Addicts Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous, etc.). Regardless of the substance or problem behavior in focus, all twelve-step programs rely on adaptations to the original twelve steps developed for Alcoholics Anonymous, which was the first twelve-step program. Those twelve steps may be boiled down to the following ideas:

  1. An honest admission of powerlessness over the substance or problem behavior
  2. A belief that a higher power can assist in recovery
  3. A recognition that you must include others in your recovery
  4. An inventory of current problems and how substance use or the problem behavior affected them
  5. An admission of wrongdoings to their higher power and another person
  6. An acceptance of flaws in personal character
  7. The humility to ask a higher power to assist in recovery
  8. Constructing a list of those you have harmed through your substance use or problem behavior
  9. Making amends to those you have harmed
  10. Continually taking an inventory of current problems and wrongdoings, and being willing to admit when wrong
  11. Fostering a sense of awareness through connection and engagement with your higher power
  12. Engage in service activities to assist others in recovery and daily life

The twelve steps listed above may be broken down into three domains: physical, mental, and spiritual. These three dimensions were intentionally developed and included in the twelve-steps to be a reflection of the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the human experience. The philosophy underwriting this design is that the problems that arise in addiction present themselves in physical, mental, and spiritual domains. Thus, the path to recovery must include these same elements.
Twelve-step programs continue to be popular due to the success that many individuals have experienced in their recovery journeys. Additionally, many individuals enjoy the sense of community at meetings, the availability of a concrete plan towards recovery, and the accessibility (twelve-step groups operate all over the world free of charge), among other reasons. Further, many of these meetings are now offered virtually over Zoom. If you are even the slightest bit curious about a twelve-step program, I would encourage you to attend an open meeting. You never know what the tide will bring.

By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What Is Ambulatory Detox and Do I Need It?

Detoxing from substance abuse is unique for every person who forms an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Some patients will require 24-hour supervision, while others will have mild withdrawal symptoms and can complete their detox program through ambulatory detox. What is ambulatory detox? An ambulatory detox program is an outpatient medication-assisted treatment program that will help ease your withdrawal symptoms and curb your cravings.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide an ambulatory detox program for patients in good physical and mental health. Medical professionals will administer FDA-approved drugs at a treatment facility, office, or sober home environment. They will also monitor your progress and make any updates as you progress. To learn more about our ambulatory detox program, call 833.448.0127 today to find out if you qualify for ambulatory detox.

What Is Ambulatory Detox?

Many busy professionals and students use drugs or alcohol to deal with the stress of high-pressure jobs or a busy college schedule. They appear to maintain their use and don’t form an addiction. When, in reality, they are forming an addiction without even knowing it. Over time, their addiction grows to the point where it interferes with work or school.

An ambulatory detox program is beneficial to students and professionals who:

  • Have a busy schedule and cannot take time off for a residential treatment program
  • Are unable to meet the financial costs of residential treatment
  • Do not have a stable and sober home environment

Do You Need Ambulatory Detox?

If you are not sure if you need a detox program, think about your substance abuse and answer the following questions:

  • Are you using more to feel the same effects?
  • Do you constantly think about drugs or alcohol?
  • Are you missing work or school because of your substance abuse?
  • Are you lying about your substance abuse to your friends and family?

If you have answered yes to more than one of these questions, an ambulatory detox program can help you before your addiction completely takes over your life.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we understand that not everyone needs a residential detox program to help with addiction. That is why we provide detoxing through our telehealth remote program and medication-assisted treatment for patients who qualify for an ambulatory detox program.

Ambulatory Detox Qualifications

Part of the conditions for ambulatory detox is attending an outpatient treatment program through a qualified addiction treatment facility. Patients will go through individual and group therapy programs to help them understand addiction and how it affects them mentally and physically. Plus, it will teach them healthy coping skills to maintain their busy schedules without drugs or alcohol.

To qualify for an ambulatory detox program, you must commit to your sobriety and not use this as a temporary fix. Along with attending addiction therapy for a set period of time, patients must:

  • Be in good physical health
  • Have no history of drug or alcohol abuse
  • Have a supportive and sober home environment
  • Receive support from friends or family members

Learn More About Ambulatory Detox at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer ambulatory detox to help mothers, busy students, and professionals when their addiction begins to interfere with their lives. We offer multiple addiction therapies to help with all types of addiction. After we run a complete diagnostics, we will recommend the right addiction treatment program that may include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Individual and group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Neurofeedback therapy
  • Case management
  • Peer support

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and needs help, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our ambulatory detox program.

The Misplaced Solution

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Think about a moment in your life that you wanted to bask in. You found a sense of peace, joy, or harmony that you wanted to fully take in and appreciate. Perhaps it was catching up and laughing with an old friend, perhaps it was feeling the warm sun shining down on your skin as you sat on a tropical beach, or perhaps it was the excitement you felt in your team winning the big game. When we encounter these moments, there is a natural tendency to want them to last. We want to appreciate what is happening for us here and now, while also doing what we can to hold onto these wonderful feelings. However, what happens when unpleasant feelings arise?

When feelings of anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and stress show up, we have a natural tendency in the opposite direction. We want to make them go away as they may feel unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unbearable. We want more of the “good” feelings and less of the “bad” ones. Makes sense, right? I mean, who in their right mind wants to feel anxious?

While there are a variety of things we can do to avoid these unpleasant feelings, a particularly common one resides in alcohol and drug use. The use of alcohol and other drugs triggers chemical reactions in our brains that numb unpleasant feelings and boost the pleasurable ones, thus, producing a sense of relief. However, this sense of relief is only temporary. Like all things, it does not last.

The substance wears off, the chemical reaction subsides, and those unpleasant feelings reappear. Well, what happens when these feelings come back? When that sense of helplessness or powerlessness sets in again? You might think about how drinking alcohol or using drugs had previously made those feelings go away and think, ‘Hey, that worked last time! Why not do it again?’ This makes sense. Humans are excellent learners. When we encounter challenges, we look for solutions. In this case, alcohol and drug use seems like an effective solution to this discomfort. When we regularly rely on use to navigate these feelings, we cross into addiction.

With time and repeated use, our brain chemistry changes such that our drug of choice may feel like the only escape from unpleasant feelings. However, as I had mentioned before, the unpleasant feelings will always return. They are unavoidable. However, as we continue using to avoid said feelings, we wander further away from our ambitions, integrity, and sense of purpose. As we do this, the feelings of anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and stress grow. What initially seemed like a sound solution, turns out to have been a misplaced solution.
By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What to Expect During the Detox Process

Opioids flood your body with toxins that produce a euphoric feeling that can create a powerful addiction with just a few uses. Those who are suffering from addiction can benefit from a detox process to cleanse their bodies of toxins and begin working on their addiction recovery. An ambulatory detox process can help patients who do not need an inpatient program to help with their withdrawal symptoms.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer a discreet ambulatory detox process for patients who have a sober home environment and no prior detox attempts. We understand the hardship of going through the detox process and that not everyone can take the time away from work or need the structure of an inpatient detox program. If you or someone you love needs help with drug or alcohol addiction withdrawals, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our caring staff about our detox process.

What Is Ambulatory Detox?

An ambulatory detox program is an outpatient drug detox program designed for patients who are going through detoxing for the first time and have no underlying mental health issues. FDA-approved medications can help relieve withdrawal symptoms, and medical professionals will monitor your recovery. The medication can reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb your cravings, allowing you to focus on your recovery and keep up with your responsibilities.

To qualify for the ambulatory detox process, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A safe and sober living arrangement
  • Access to transportation
  • A commitment to treatment
  • Enrollment in an intensive outpatient program (IOP)

To determine if you are eligible for ambulatory detox, medical professionals and therapists will evaluate your current condition and level of addiction. From there, they will recommend the appropriate level of addiction treatment that will benefit you the most. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we can assist you with the detox process for all types of drug and alcohol addiction.

The Detox Process

Detoxing can be a painful or uncomfortable process depending on the substance you are abusing. Illicit drugs like heroin and other opioids can create a powerful addiction just after a few uses, while other drugs and alcohol may take time to build up an addiction. The average time it takes to detox can take anywhere from two to three weeks to several months. It depends on the substance of abuse, the severity of addiction, and how long the patient has struggled with addiction.

The first 24-48 hours is when most withdrawal symptoms will begin. Patients can expect to feel:

  • Intense cravings
  • Sweating
  • Shivering
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia

Most drug and alcohol addiction withdrawal symptoms will peak around 72 hours. Patients can expect to feel worsening withdrawal symptoms, including fever, seizures, and hallucinations may occur. Medical professionals will monitor your progress and administer medications to reduce your withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

After five to seven days, most withdrawal symptoms will begin to taper off. Some more severe cases of addiction will have withdrawal symptoms that can last for several months. As your withdrawal symptoms reduce, so will your medication. The goal of medication-assisted treatment is not to replace one drug with another but to have you completely drug-free by the end of your addiction treatment program.

Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery to Assist You with Your Detox Process

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers medication-assisted treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in Thornton, CO. Our drug and alcohol detox process will help you through your withdrawal symptoms through our ambulatory detox process. Our ambulatory detox program can help with all forms of drug addiction withdrawals.

If you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our detox process.

VERIFY INSURANCE

Cortland Mathers-Suter

MSSA
Managing Partner

Cortland Mathers-Suter entered the treatment space after his own battle with addiction. He first worked as a peer mentor, before starting clinical work while completing his Masters of Science in social administration from Case Western Reserve University where he focused on policy and direct practice. Cortland moved to Colorado in 2015 to start his first addiction treatment program, AspenRidge Recovery. Under his tenure, AspenRidge Recovery became a two-location, nationally accredited organization. He has since spent the last two years researching and developing what is now Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR).

According to Cortland, “Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is the most important organization I have had the honor to help build. We’re offering a service that seeks to not only improve the lives of our patients but also evolve how we look at medication-assisted treatment in Colorado entirely. Most individuals receiving medication-assisted care only receive medication and urinalysis. Sure you can call that ‘treatment,’ but you can’t call that ‘recovery.’ Our model is about adding the missing recovery component, and thus affords an opportunity to achieve lasting change for each patient and the industry.”

Cortland and his treatment programs have received numerous honors. These include Colorado Business Magazine’s “GenXYZ” award, the 2020 “Titan 100” award, and his program AspenRidge Recovery was both a finalist for “Best Healthcare Company” and named in the “Company’s to Watch” by Colorado Business Magazine as well. He has been interviewed and quoted by numerous publications for his “addiction expertise”, including News Week, 5280 Magazine, the Denver Post, Elephant Journal, Colorado Biz Mag, and TheRecoverySource.org.

Tyler Whitman

Compliance/HR Administrator

Tyler is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. He worked in manufacturing administration for 18 years until he chose to pursue recovery from alcohol addiction, which led him to Chicago, Illinois. Since then, Tyler gained experience in retail, retail pharmacy, and healthcare as a vaccine coordinator for a local Colorado clinic. At the clinic, Tyler discovered that healthcare was the career change he had been looking for. His newfound passion for healthcare, combined with his lived experience with addiction, brought him to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery as an Office Administrator.

In his free time, Tyler enjoys cooking, hiking, and skiing. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Regis University.

Simmeren Boanvala

BA
Outreach and Admissions Representative

Simmeren comes to CMAR after several years working admissions in inpatient psychiatry and addiction. A first-generation Colorado Native, Simmeren attended CU Boulder, where she earned a BA in psychology. Simmeren is currently completing her CAC III while working toward her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

According to Simmeren, “I joined CMAR because I believe in the quality and importance of the program whole-heartedly. My goal at CMAR is to guide each prospect who calls CMAR to find the best possible pathway to their recovery”. Simmeren currently lives in her hometown with her dog and cat.

Tyler Hale

Tyler Hale

Community Partnership Lead

Tyler Hale began his career in addiction treatment following a decades-long fight with his own substance abuse issues. Since achieving long-term recovery, Tyler has held various positions in direct care, client services, admissions and outreach departments at various addiction treatment organizations. From sober living program director to outreach director to admissions director at a drug and alcohol treatment program, Tyler consistently finds himself in leadership roles within the addiction treatment space.

Tyler is originally from Chicago, IL, where he graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bioethics. Thereafter, Tyler built a successful career in the tech industry, before finding sobriety and a subsequent calling to help others. Tyler joined the team at CMAR because he believes in the efficacy of comprehensive and patient-centered outpatient treatment. In his free time Tyler enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with his newborn son.

Kirstin O’Carroll

MSW
Engagement and Relations Director

Kirstin O’Carroll started her career in addiction and mental health services 23 years ago after graduating with an MSW from The Oho State University. Hired directly from an internship program, she served as a case manager and vocational specialist on a community treatment team in Columbus, OH, working to help severely mentally ill adults remain at home and in a community setting. Within the same organization, she later transitioned to clinical assessment and crisis intervention services with children, adolescents, and adults. Through these experiences, she learned the importance of providing empathetic, high-quality care and the need to “start wherever the patient is” with regard to finding the best treatment & solutions for her patients.

After seven years, Kirstin made a career change to diagnostic sales and worked for several Fortune 500 companies as an acute care sales specialist. She is delighted to return “home” to her passion for helping others and believes her new role as community engagement coordinator for CMAR is the perfect alignment of both her clinical and sales skills. When not promoting CMAR, she can be found reading, running, hiking, watching movies, and spending time with her husband Dennis and senior canine son Reggie.

Thomas Mazzarella

LAC
Primary Therapist

Thomas is a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the State of Colorado and a Licensed Addictions Specialist (LCAS) in the State of North Carolina with particular expertise in the treatment of chronic Substance Abuse Addiction and Dependency.

Thomas is dedicated to Individual, Couples, Family, and Group Counseling and Therapy for individuals with Substance Use and Mental Health issues and concerns.

James Jackman

CAS
Primary Therapist

James Jackman is a Certified Addiction Specialist and has been practicing addiction treatment in Colorado since 2015. James is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Metropolitan State University Denver. James is a traditional CBT therapist specializing in childhood events that lead to adult addictions.

James has received special training in Family Systems, Inner Child, Maladaptive Schemas, and Adverse Childhood Experiences. James has worked in many treatment settings throughout his career and uses a client-centered treatment approach to help one recover from destructive patterns that facilitate addiction. In addition, James enjoys working with rescue animals and advocates for several local rescue organizations outside of work.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherds and her cat. She is passionate about fostering animals through various local rescues to find adoptive homes for dogs and cats in need.

Megan Hanekom

LPC, LAC, NCC
Therapist & Clinical Compliance Officer

Megan is a licensed counselor who has worked in various mental health and addiction treatment environments. She practices cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing and believes in pulling from various therapeutic approaches to best support each individual. Megan received her bachelor’s in psychology and Spanish from Concordia College. She relocated from North Dakota to Colorado where she earned a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Denver.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherds and her cat. She is passionate about fostering animals through various local rescues to find adoptive homes for dogs and cats in need.

Maggie Coyle

MA, LPC
Primary Therapist

Maggie Coyle, MS, MA, LPP, LPCC has worked in the mental health and addictions counseling field for the past six years. She has extensive experience in working in the varying levels of mental health and addictions treatment as well as with diverse populations.

She practices cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy as primary intervention methods. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology as well as a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling both from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. She has also earned a master’s degree in addictions counseling from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. Maggie moved from South Dakota to Colorado in June 2020 and is excited to be a part of the CMAR team.

Michael Damioli

LCSW, CSAT
Clinical Director

Michael Damioli has been passionately working in the fields of addiction treatment and mental health since 2012. He has held a variety of different roles within the addiction recovery space, ranging from peer support to direct clinical practice. Notably, Michael was part of a leadership group that developed a small therapy practice into a nationally branded addiction treatment program, which offers multiple levels of care to recovering professionals. Michael is a strong believer in the family disease model of addiction and has focused much of his clinical work and training on supporting families impacted by addiction. He also specializes in treating individuals suffering from co-occurring chemical and process addictions.

Michael is honored to be leading the clinical care team at CMAR and believes that excellent clinical care begins by simply treating a patient with dignity and respect. Michael is a strong advocate for ethical reform within the addiction treatment field and is excited to promote CMAR as an ethical and thought leader throughout the treatment & recovery industry. Michael earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver and is independently licensed as a clinical social worker with the state of Colorado. He holds an advanced post-graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy from the Denver Family Institute as well as an advanced certificate in sexual addiction counseling from the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals.

Dwight-Duncan

Dwight Duncan

Psy.D
Psychologist

Dr. Duncan was born and spent most of his early life in California. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 1987. He is a licensed psychologist as well as a licensed addiction counselor. He has had extensive training and experience throughout his professional career in medical psychology, mindfulness, integrated behavioral healthcare, and substance abuse.

Dr. Duncan is married and has one daughter, a neurologic physical therapist in Los Angeles.

Susan-Miget

Susan Miget

NP
Medical Provider

Susan has been in healthcare for more than 20 years. She was an ICU nurse for nine years, then returned to school and completed her master of nursing and family nurse practitioner degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2007. She practiced pain management for many years before developing her current passion for addiction treatment.

Susan has transitioned her practice to focus entirely on addiction treatment. She has worked in residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. Susan most enjoys working with patients one-on-one in a private office to protect their confidentiality and ensure top-rate care. Knowing that addiction can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time, Susan continues to strive to make treatment more accessible and confidential.

Whitney-Grant

Whitney Grant

MSN, FNP-BC, ARNP, RN, CPN
Medical Provider

Whitney Grant is an experienced family nurse practitioner with experience and expertise in medication-assisted treatment. Whitney earned her BSN at the University of Miami before moving on to achieve a master of science in nursing degree there as well, becoming a nurse practitioner immediately thereafter.

Whitney has since achieved board certification from the ANCC as a family nurse practitioner. After spending her entire formative and educational years in South Florida, Whitney moved to Denver in 2018 to pursue a career as a provider in family practice, sub-specializing in addictions medicine. Whitney has worked under the guidance of Dr. Nathaniel Moore, CMAR’s medical director, since moving to Denver.

Nathaniel Moore

MD
Medical Director

Dr. Nathan Moore is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Moore attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA for his undergraduate work and then attended Duke University School of Medicine and obtained his M.D. in 1995. Dr. Moore then came to Colorado and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Colorado’s Family Medicine Program at Rose Medical Center.

Dr. Moore practices primarily at our Aurora location. He provides comprehensive family medicine services and has a special interest in addiction medicine, treating patients with opioid use disorder as well as alcohol addiction.

Dr. Moore is married with three children. He enjoys mountain biking, running, and golf.