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How Naltrexone Is Used to Treat Opiate Addiction

The way that opioids interact with the brain makes opiate addiction difficult to overcome. It used to be that the main approach to helping people with opioid addiction was to have them go through withdrawal before receiving therapy and other forms of treatment. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) takes a different approach. Clients receive medication that alleviates withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids and other substances. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery uses naltrexone as part of the MAT treatment offered at our facility.

What Is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug cleared for treating individuals with an opioid or alcohol addiction as part of MAT. It’s available in both a pill and injectable form and can be prescribed by those licensed to give out prescriptions to clients. Unlike other medications often provided through MAT, naltrexone is not an opioid.

Because it’s not an opioid, there’s a much lower risk of clients developing an addiction to naltrexone. You also don’t experience side effects if you decide to discontinue its use. Naltrexone itself can’t help a client overcome an addiction. It’s often used in conjunction with other elements of a client’s treatment plan like dialectical-behavior therapy and dialectal behavior therapy.

How Can Naltrexone Help with Addiction?

People turn to drugs and alcohol because of the feeling of euphoria or relaxation they produce. Opioids specifically bind with opioid receptors in the brain responsible for producing feelings of pleasure. Once your brain starts associating your opioid use with those emotions, you end up with a dependency that can eventually turn into an addiction. Alcohol can have a similar effect on various parts of your nervous system.

Naltrexone blocks the effects produced by drugs and alcohol by keeping the substances from binding with your opioid receptors. That means you don’t experience the highs from opioids or sedated feelings that come with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Naltrexone also reduces cravings and helps with opiate withdrawal, which can help you get through a treatment program and achieve recovery.

Your system must be completely clear of any toxins associated with drug or alcohol abuse before you start taking naltrexone. Clients should steer clear of using other illegal drugs or drinking while receiving the drug as part of MAT.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking Naltrexone?

Some clients do experience certain side effects from naltrexone treatment, including:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nervousness
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach troubles
  • Muscle pain
  • Sleep issues
  • Fatigue

Make sure you inform your doctor about any adverse effects of naltrexone treatment. They can adjust your dosage or change you to a different medication. You should only take naltrexone as part of MAT and alongside other programs that provide you with the psychological and social support necessary to overcome your substance use disorder.

Naltrexone treatment can reduce your tolerance for opioids or other substances. Discontinuing your use of naltrexone can leave you more vulnerable to a potential overdose because you overestimate what your system can handle.

Receive Medication-Assisted Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

While naltrexone treatment can make it easier for you to get through a recovery program, it’s not a cure-all for addiction. You must still put in the effort needed to face the underlying issues driving your addiction. Our team of specialists sticks with you every step of the way as you learn to live a life free of substance abuse.

Other programs and services available at our recovery center include:

It’s not too late to change the direction of your life. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery gives clients the chance to overcome addiction and restore their health. Start your new journey today by calling us at 833.448.0127.

The Necessity of Peer Recovery to Successful Addiction Recovery

Long term recovery isn’t something we can achieve by ourselves. In fact, major addiction treatment studies have found a causal link between peer accountability and long-term recovery. Yet most people recovering from addiction (especially opioid-addiction), don’t have access to a peer group that can help them stay the course and remain clean through trying times. Literally 90% of addiction treatment clinics, addiction psychiatry and medicine practices fail to provide even a sing peer-support group. Since these programs and providers are driven to treat from more of a public health perspective, where the singular goal is to reduce harm and increase a single quality of life measure, survival! At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer an evidence-based alternative, which empowers each of our patients to truly recover. Not to simply “survive” but to fully thrive!

 

Peer support generates community between those who share the common bond of being in recovery from chemical dependence, which in turn facilitates the development of meaningful, accountable long-term connection.

 

Learn more at www.Colorado-Recovery.com or call (720) 778-2627.

3 Benefits of Trauma-Informed Treatment for Drug Addiction

When a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, it’s easy to think that willpower alone should be enough for them to overcome it. However, addiction is not a choice; it has been proven to be a chemical change in the brain. For many, past trauma has impacted the way they use drugs or alcohol. Trauma-informed care can help those who are struggling with addiction work through traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping skills for lifelong recovery.

How Addiction Relates to Trauma

Some individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with something deeper. To get through life or trauma they’ve experienced, they numb and self-soothe to overcome feelings and thoughts that have become too burdensome. This helps them disconnect and cope, but all the while, substance abuse causes even more problems. Understanding how addiction relates to survival can help more people recover from addiction. For example, an overwhelming number of adolescents receiving treatment for substance use disorders end up having a history of trauma exposure. This alone points to trauma being a consideration factor when developing treatment plans for those dealing with addiction. It also explains why trauma-informed treatment is so necessary.

How Trauma-Informed Treatment Can Help

Trauma-informed therapy is based on the belief that a person’s substance use can be their way of coping with negative, overwhelming, or intrusive thoughts and feelings. These can be from memories, current situations, or past traumas. With these clients, safety is a high priority for therapists. Clients often experience triggering moments when learning how trauma has played a role in their lives. Through therapy that takes a trauma-informed approach, the therapist helps the client make positive connections, handle situations that have triggered drug use, and create a toolbox of strategies for overcoming trauma and avoiding substance use in the future.

Trauma-informed therapy used for substance abuse disorders involves:

  • A respectful, safe place to do the work
  • An understanding of how mental health-related issues and trauma co-exist with addiction
  • Leading the client to have self-compassion and self-respect instead of shame and guilt surrounding trauma and addiction
  • Creating healthy solutions to the identified problems
  • Finding ways to provide ongoing support

Three Benefits of Trauma-Informed Treatment

There are many benefits of taking this approach, but three stand out as the most helpful:

  1. It provides holistic care
  2. It offers a lower risk of re-traumatization
  3. It uses well-known approaches to therapy

Trauma-informed treatment takes a holistic approach, recognizing that addiction has roots in both chemical and emotional causes. It connects recovery and resilience, trauma and addiction, so that the whole person can be treated. It can be provided in any setting and uses evidence-based information, family engagement, empowerment, and collaboration as its touchpoints for success.

Many people are exposed to trauma on some level or another in their lifetime, but taking a trauma-informed approach allows a therapist who understands how trauma affects a person to have a hand in helping a person through recovery. If someone not as informed on trauma is assisting a person, there can be accidental incidences of re-traumatization. A deeper depth of compassion and sense of safety in trauma-informed therapy helps the client feel more compelled to heal. The extra gentleness provided in these sessions is beneficial for success in recovery.

Trauma-informed treatment uses some of the primary and most evidence-backed methods of treatment available today. Not only is cognitive-behavioral therapy especially effective for co-occurring disorders involving addition and mental health, but EMDR is as well. EMDR uses rapid eye movements to desensitize clients from the negative emotions, detrimental behaviors, and possible stigmas associated with trauma and addiction. It allows clients to process the emotions surrounding their trauma so that they can create healthier behavior patterns.

Trauma-Informed Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, clients can benefit from therapists who take a trauma-informed treatment approach. Understanding the symptoms of trauma, PTSD, and other related issues can help those suffering from a substance use disorder. Options such as telehealth and outpatient meet various needs, and our approaches offer a complete recovery to clients. Contact us at 833.448.0127 for more information.

How Buprenorphine Is Used to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

Addiction is an ongoing epidemic across the world. From illegal drugs and alcohol to food and even prescription drugs, it is possible to become addicted to many things. Whether a person is using with the intent to get high or becomes dependent on a prescription drug, addiction is real, and help is often needed to recover and lead a healthy life. Opioids are among the most widely abused drugs in America, causing over half of the overdose deaths. But recovery is possible. Buprenorphine treatment can be helpful for those who are struggling with opioid use disorder when used in tandem with therapy and counseling.

What Is Opioid Use Disorder?

If an individual uses opioids after surgery and becomes dependent on them, they can become addicted easily. While these medications help reduce pain and are often necessary, they are highly addictive even after a short period. Some people are also aware of the high opioids provide and turn to the drugs for this purpose, eventually becoming addicted.

Common opioids include:

Using Medication to Treat Opioid Addiction

While there are many approaches to treating opioid use disorder, such as counseling, this alone is not enough. Medicated OUD treatment is usually necessary. With some medications, clients can overcome their dependence on the drugs by reducing the withdrawal symptoms that often make it impossible to quit in the first place. Buprenorphine is one medication that can be used to manage chronic pain and help those addicted to opioids on their journey to long-term recovery.

Buprenorphine Treatment

Buprenorphine is a partially synthetic drug made in labs. It is used to treat severe, often chronic, pain. It is also effective at helping those with opioid use disorder avoid withdrawal symptoms. It is considered an opioid still because it has components derived from opium poppies.

When a client goes through buprenorphine treatment, they may take sublingual tablets, use patches, or get injections. It is often used to treat pain in those with known histories of opioid addiction because it is considered therapeutic. This is because it delays withdrawal symptoms while addressing cravings for more potent opioids.

Using buprenorphine is helpful because it can reduce the risk of overdose and other health issues related to drug use. It is more readily available and is the first medication to treat OUD that can be prescribed and given in physicians’ offices, which helps increase access to treatment.

Buprenorphine has been used for over two decades and is considered safe and effective. It is quickly replacing the more common methadone to treat OUD, so much so that it is also commonly used to treat babies born with opiates in their systems.

Buprenorphine Treatment Risks

Buprenorphine use must still be monitored because it can cause overdoses. Watching for these signs is important:

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling faint
  • Sedation
  • Respiratory distress

While addiction liability is low, it can become habit-forming. Signs of abuse include:

  • Compulsive thoughts regarding buprenorphine
  • Craving more when doses are lowered
  • Loss of control of use
  • Continuing use despite negative consequences

In addition, clients younger than 60 that have no other medical conditions and take no other medications are more likely to experience side effects. However, seniors, children, and those with pre-existing conditions will experience a broader range of side effects. Side effects include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sleepiness, dizziness, and the inability to drive
  • Severe interactions with alcohol
  • Vertigo, nausea, or headache
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Liver function issues

Buprenorphine Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Effective treatment for opioid addiction can be found at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. Our clients can benefit from therapists who vary their treatment approach based on both proven techniques and medical intervention. Understanding the different ways to treat opioid addiction and how medication can help manage withdrawal symptoms means providing a complete recovery to clients. Contact us at 833.448.0127 or reach out online for more information.

What Is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a type of injection provided in an emergency situation to stop an opioid overdose from occurring. It is powerful enough to reverse many life-threatening conditions resulting from using opiates but is never guaranteed to be effective. This drug has other uses, but for those who struggle with opioid addictions, this opioid antagonist is often a life-saving measure applied when an overdose occurs. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our team of professionals provides support for those in recovery from opioid addiction with medication and counseling.

How Does Naloxone Work?

This medication works very rapidly to reverse the effects of opioids. As such, it is called an opioid antagonist. That means it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain. As it does, it stops the effect the other opioids in a person’s body is having.

For example, those consuming too much heroin or pain medication may have shallow, slowed breathing that limits the amount of oxygen reaching the body’s organs. When Naloxone is used, it can stop the effect that the drug is having, allow for normal respirations – or improvements – to occur. It may help in situations where a person has shallow or very little breathing or, in some cases, when a person stops breathing.

This drug is given in an injection. A Naloxone injection comes with a specific amount of the drug in a liquid solution. It needs to be injected into a vein or can be injected directly into the muscle. Emergency medical providers and police officers often use these pre-filled auto-injection devices that contain the drug.

A person who is engaging in drug use will be unable to use the injection themselves due to their health state. For those who are considering using it as a way to prevent overdose death while getting high, this is never recommended and rarely is successful.

What to Consider When an Overdose Occurs

If an overdose occurs, a person needs to receive emergency medical help immediately. While Naloxone works to reverse the effects of the opioid in the system, it cannot treat addiction, nor can it help to stop dependence on these drugs. In addition, it may not continue to work especially if the dose of opioids taken continues to increase.

For those with a loved one struggling with opioid addiction, treatment in a professional setting is critical. It may help to save a person’s life to administer this injection. However, because of how powerful these drugs are, that individual may not be able to stop using opioids on his or her own. Professional treatment, using other medications and psychotherapy, can provide the support a person needs.

How to Get Help for Opioid Addiction and Dependence

There are solutions for drug addiction, including for those who have overdosed previously. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer a range of therapies that provide outstanding one-on-one support in a safe environment. For those looking for medication-assisted treatment on an outpatient basis, our team can offer help.

Some of our programs and treatment options include:

For those who are using this drug as a way to prevent death due to increased opioid use, there is help available that can help a person reclaim their life. Our programs fit your schedule and can help you build the tools you need for lasting recovery.

Invest in Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Naloxone may provide a temporary solution for those who are facing an opioid overdose. Yet, it is not a solution to the problem. As an opioid antagonist, it is a powerful tool to help in emergency situations. The best way to avoid an overdose is through preventative treatment. The Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery team can help. Call 833.448.0127 or connect with us online now.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the evidence-based treatments commonly used to treat drug and alcohol addiction. It’s used because it is very effective and can help provide individuals with the tools they need to change their thinking and behaviors. So, what is cognitive-behavioral therapy? At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we use CBT to help our patients reframe their thoughts. Utilizing a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, holistic care, and medications, it is often possible to restore health and mental wellbeing.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT is a type of psychological treatment used to treat both drug and alcohol addiction along with mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. When used properly, CBT can improve function in daily life while also improving quality of life.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on a few specific principles:

  • Many with addiction or mental health disorders stem from poor, unhelpful, and faulty ways of thinking.
  • Many times, these problems come from learned behaviors or patterns that are unhealthy.
  • Those who struggle with these problems can learn to cope with them.
  • Symptom relief comes from changing thought processes and improving thinking patterns to avoid unhealthy or unhelpful behavior.

By changing thought patterns using cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, it’s possible to stop negative behaviors such as using drugs, self-doubt, and poor self-confidence.

What Are Typical Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Techniques?

Therapists use a number of techniques to help foster changing thought patterns and processes. This may include teaching a person to recognize that their thought processes are unhealthy or unrealistic. It is often necessary for people to learn how to recognize the initial thoughts that typically lead to negative behaviors, such as self-doubt or inaccurate thinking about their circumstances.

From there, therapists work to help individuals learn how to use problem-solving skills to deal with challenges. It is very common for people who have addictions to turn to these substances when they are faced with intense situations, such as financial difficulties, relationship problems, or work-related problems. Providing a way to deal with this in real-time to avoid negative outcomes is critical.

In addition to this, those receiving CBT may also learn how to face their fears instead of avoiding them or worsening their anxiety about those fears. They may engage in role-playing to work through some of their most difficult situations. Other times, they will engage in activities to calm the mind and relax even while facing intense stress. All of this can contribute to improved mental health and confidence.

CBT Is One Treatment Solution We Offer

What is cognitive-behavioral therapy in terms of a person’s overall addiction treatment? CBT is just one component of the care a person receives at our location. Whether through in-person or telehealth, our team works with individuals to teach the strategies needed to change negative thought patterns. They also learn how to engage in life with more confidence.

Among CBT, we also offer a number of other evidence-based treatment programs. These work alongside CBT to help restore health. Some of what we offer includes:

A combination of these programs can often lead to healing and improvement of quality of life.

Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Today for Help

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used treatment options, but CBT isn’t the only option for many people. Utilizing a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques along with other holistic and evidence-based treatments, our team at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can offer the support needed to overcome addiction. To learn more about treatment options, call us at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online now.

How To Best Support Those in Medication Assisted Recovery Programs

When a person starts on the path of healing from addiction, they may be given medications to support the process. Medication-assisted recovery can be very effective when properly used alongside therapy. Yet, this doesn’t mean supporting loved ones through the recovery process gets easier. It is still essential to have ongoing support in recovery and help during treatment. Our team at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can help you to make the best decisions for your supporting your loved one.

What Is Your Role in Medication-Assisted Recovery?

It’s a common misconception that once a person is taking medications for their addiction, they are “cured” or “better.” Rather, they are just starting out and need help during treatment. While medications are a very big component of the healing process, most people in medication-assisted recovery still need supportive loved ones who can give them reassurance and ensure they have the guidance they need.

What can you do, as a loved one, to give your friend, spouse, sibling, or other person support in recovery? There are many things you can do to help during treatment, including:

  • Listening, rather than telling, them about their addiction
  • Learning the warning signs of relapse and monitoring for them
  • Providing and ensuring a drug-free environment at home to live in
  • Recognizing high stress levels and helping a person to overcome them
  • Supporting their needs to go to counseling on a routine basis
  • Learning their triggers for relapse and help them to avoid those

It’s important to know that supporting loved ones in recovery does not mean you’ll have to do everything for them, pay their bills, and take care of them physically. A component of recovery and treatment is to learn how to do these things on their own. Yet, they still need support in recovery, which may include having someone available on an ongoing basis and ensuring they have a safe place to live.

What Happens in Medication-Assisted Recovery?

To help during treatment, be sure to understand what your loved one is going through during medication-assisted recovery. You may be able to be a part of some of their counseling sessions. During this type of treatment, medications are used to help a person to gain mental health stability and to limit the impact of withdrawal. When these medications work, you may feel as though you have your loved one back. Yet, there is a lot more to do during the recovery process.

During the recovery process, your loved one will learn about their addiction and why it happened. They may be diagnosed with a mental health disorder or find themselves learning new ways to control negative thoughts. They will need to learn how to manage stress, challenges in everyday life, and complex relationship problems. Supporting loved ones through this is vital.

Does Your Loved One Need Help During Treatment?

Perhaps you want your loved one to get help. Now is the time to encourage them before their medical or emotional needs change. To learn more about our medication-assisted recovery and how you can help during treatment, reach out to our team today. Learn about our programs and therapies, including:

Treatment Begins When You Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Do you have a loved one that needs support in recovery? Medication-assisted recovery can be very effective, but medicine alone is not enough. Supporting loves ones during the healing process and long after in recovery is critical. If your loved one needs help during treatment or is ready to start on the path towards recovery, reach out to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for guidance. Call our team at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online now.

Do You Need an Oxycontin Treatment Program?

Oxycontin is a common gateway drug to heroin. Whether you buy the medication legally or illegally, if dependency develops, seek professional help from an Oxycontin addiction treatment program. Skilled experts, such as the Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, can use innovative treatment methods to help you overcome the pandemic. To learn more about our programs, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127.

The Significance of Oxycontin Treatment Programs

Individuals experiencing chronic pain can use Oxycontin to eliminate the burden and to find the pain relief they’re seeking. However, users must understand the dangers of Oxycontin addiction in CO and take immediate action if they cannot quit.

If you develop a dependency, accepting the problem and checking into rehab will help you avoid severe long-term consequences. The condition starts with enhanced tolerance, whereby you have to increase your dose to achieve the desired effects. Drug dependency can change the way of thinking and put you in trouble. For example, some people can do anything, including stealing, to get money for the drug.

Drug dependency can cause you to lack interest in vital day-to-day activities. In most cases, individuals ignore their responsibilities to look for more drugs. Such issues impact many areas of life, including finances, relationships, and health, leading to legal problems.

Some people think they can use their willpower to deal with the problem, but they often relapse. If you try quitting without following a personalized oxycontin addiction treatment program, you may find yourself suffering from uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The experience can be life-threatening.

What to Expect During Oxycontin Treatment

Drugs have chemicals that alter your brain and body functions. Such changes make it challenging for the user to quit despite understanding the potential harm. Fortunately, rehab centers can use personalized treatment programs and evidence-based therapies for a successful recovery process. Every person is unique and requires an individualized approach. At rehab, you can benefit from many treatment programs, including:

If you’re struggling with Oxycontin addiction in CO, you’ll find that this is a common problem, so you should not battle it alone. The journey to recovery requires guidance and support from professionals who understand your situation. Besides, rehab treatment offers an opportunity to meet peers and share experiences. Therapists focus on helping their clients to recover and achieve their goals.

Oxycontin Addiction Diagnosis and Symptoms

When can you seek help for oxycontin abuse? If you use the drug without a prescription or take a more considerable amount than instructed, this is misuse. Some people may consume it in different ways than what is recommended by their physicians. For example, long-term users try to increase potency by crushing and inhaling the powder form.

Intense craving for the drug when it is not available is a sign of dependency. If you have these issues, consult a rehab professional for an oxycontin treatment program. The most common signs and symptoms of addiction include:

  • Lack of motivation
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Slurred speech
  • Altered sleep habits
  • Poor coordination
  • Enhanced euphoria
  • Shallow and slow breathing

Oxycontin addiction can lead to a fatal overdose. In such a situation, the person needs emergency medical attention to reverse the effects. Act immediately and call for help if the person shows signs like vomiting, constricted pupils, unresponsiveness, and slow breathing.

Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for Addiction Treatment

Are you struggling with oxycontin dependency? If left untreated, the condition can cause severe health problems, some of which can be fatal. Do not let an avoidable situation ruin your life. Seek help from an oxycontin treatment program where addiction treatment professionals will ensure you achieve permanent recovery. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127 for a customized treatment program.

How Do You Find A Good Addiction Treatment Program

Finding a good addiction treatment program for you or your loved one can be an overwhelming process. Due to the time, money, and energy an individual and or a family channel toward substance use disorder treatment, it’s crucial to find the right treatment. With so many addiction treatment programs and rehab to choose from, it can be challenging to choose one that provides the highest quality of care or suits your needs or that of your loved one. However, if you do your research and ask the right questions, you can find the right addiction center in Colorado. For more information about an acceptable addiction treatment center, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127.

Why Drug Rehab Accreditation Matters

A good outpatient treatment program will be accredited by external regulatory bodies such as The Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities(CARF). The regulatory bodies subject addiction treatment facilities to rigorous vetting to ensure that they meet a certain level of evidence-based care. For this reason, accreditation serves as quality assurance and a level of protection to consumers of an addiction center.

Team of Qualified Staff

An addiction treatment program needs to incorporate a multi-disciplinary addiction treatment staff to help deal with issues from different angles. Having a mix of professionals in an addiction program can be handy. It allows you and the treatment team to create an individualized treatment plan to help uncover and address a wide array of issues.

A multi-disciplinary team may consist of:

  • Chemical dependency counselor
  • Medical doctor
  • Nurse
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist
  • Nutritionist
  • Wellness specialist
  • Spiritual care counselor

In addition, all team members should be licensed and accredited to practice in a particular discipline. When the clinical staff has adequate credentials and licenses, it is an indication that they meet the nationally recognized standards of professional practice.

Thorough Assessment and Treatment

A good addiction treatment center begins with a reliable and thorough screening. The screening can identify the specific substance use disorders and other underlying physical and mental health conditions. What follows is a comprehensive analysis of substance use history and any related disorders. The team does this all to uncover the interrelated factors that may affect the functioning of the patients. It is also instrumental in assessing the readiness of the patient to change. A comprehensive analysis will be able to address all aspects of someone’s life, which otherwise would compromise their recovery process.

Integrated Treatment Approach

Once the clinical staff has identified any co-occurring disorders following the screening, a good program incorporates a holistic approach. This treatment approach addresses these concerns. As such, this program aims at treating the patient as a whole, which improves the likelihood of substance use disorder recovery and minimizes the chances of relapse. A comprehensive addiction program should, at least, include:

Addiction is a condition that affects the entire family. Therefore, it becomes important for families to heal. With family therapy, they learn how to overcome the chaos they had to go through, develop healthy boundaries, and build trust. When families are engaged in the addiction treatment program, patients tend to have better recovery rates.

Find the Right Addiction Treatment Program at CMAR

Addiction treatment therapies mark a pivotal mark in an addict’s life. Therefore, it is crucial to find a program that helps them build a solid foundation for their recovery. Our Colorado addiction treatment program utilizes clinically driven healthcare treatment. Throughout and after the treatment, we provide a caring and supportive recovery community for our recovering patients.

Let’s help you lay a foundation for lifelong recovery with our comprehensive addiction treatment program. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127 to learn more about the programs we offer.

7 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Rehab

If you are struggling with drug addiction, attending a drug rehab center is a huge step towards recovery. However, if it is your first time being in rehab, it can be a difficult decision because you don’t know what to expect. If you are going back to drug rehab after a relapse, it will help you work with your therapist to learn how to respond differently to the causes of relapsing. Whether you are going to drug rehab for the first time or after a relapse, you need to have the right mindset to make the most of your time in rehab. To help you get the most out of an addiction treatment program in Colorado, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 today.

Tips To Get the Most Out of Rehab

Here are some of the residential facility tips to help you make the most out of rehab:

1. Participate in Group Sessions

A group therapy program allows you to grow. It will help you benefit from shared experiences and thoughts of others. Contributing to the group can also help support others with your insights and experiences. In whatever you share, please make sure you do so with sheer honesty.

2. Trust Your Therapist

The personal relationship that you build with your therapist will significantly contribute to your recovery. If you trust your therapist, you will feel comfortable to share meaningful experiences and thoughts that may be of concern. On the other hand, if you don’t trust him/her, you will be tempted to withhold important information, impeding your recovery progress. An individual therapy program is a safe haven to discuss and address anything that is on your mind.

3. Don’t Expect Things to Change Overnight

Drug addiction treatment is a lifelong process, and change does not happen right away. Try not to have unrealistic expectations about drug rehab or even how your life will be after the treatment. It is essential to understand that drug rehab in itself is not a cure for addiction, and maintaining your sobriety after treatment will require commitment and patience. While undergoing the treatment, focus on the process and allow yourself to transform at your own pace.

4. Keep an Open Mind

An open mind will help you be open and receptive to your therapist, peers, and addiction treatment staff’s suggestions. Even though the ideas may at first sound unfamiliar, an open mind may help you identify with the new ideas and ultimately allow you to make significant strides in creating a healthy lifestyle free from drug abuse and addiction.

5. Connect with Others

Peer support is one of the cornerstone rehab tips in a strong recovery. Developing a healthy relationship with your peers gives you a sense of belonging, enhances your ability to communicate, offers a platform for accountability, and allows you to have fun. Ultimately, it distracts you from craving drug abuse.

6. Focus On The Moment

Practicing mindfulness will help you develop gratitude for what is present. It prevents you from living in past regrets and mistakes or being anxious about the future. Mindfulness will help you stay grounded in the present, and you will be able to manage cravings and consequently avoid relapse.

7. Identify Your Triggers and Learn How to Manage Them

There will be cues that will trigger the urge to use the substance(s). The triggers vary from one person to another. Therefore, take your time to identify your triggers and create an actionable plan to help you manage them.

What Should I Expect in a Rehab?

Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is not a linear process. It involves several different things supporting each other. Learning various residential facility tips gives you a better chance to succeed even after your addiction treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. Some of the outpatient treatment therapies that we offer include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Individual therapy

Learn more about rehab and begin the path towards a new life free of drugs and alcohol. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127 to schedule an appointment.

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.