Addiction Archives - Page 9 of 10 - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Early Intervention

Posted on October 2, 2020 by cmarnew

Research tells us that the most effective timing for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) & those at risk for developing one is early intervention. Intervening before the condition progresses can literally save someone’s life, & yet it’s so rarely highlighted as an important tool in the arsenal of addiction treatment.

Why is Early Intervention Such an Important Option in Opioid Treatment?

Yes, screening for opioid addiction is increasingly done in primary healthcare settings, but barriers still persist. Fewer resources, less funding, inadequate training & training opportunities, particularly for treating those with co-occurring disorders (whether it be dual addiction, mental health, and/or physical ailments). But that’s not the case at CMAR, where we understand early interventions’ range of effective, evidence-based clinical interventions, therapies, supportive services & even medications.

Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At CMAR, we fully grasp that opioid addiction is a difficult necessary disease to beat & recover from. As opioids continue to kill more & more Americans, CMAR is here to provide the tools and services, including early intervention too. As Colorado’s most comprehensive opioid-recovery program, we empower our patients to achieve and sustain their recovery, other addictions, and all co-occurring mental health. Whether you’ve used for weeks, months, years, or decades, our drug addiction treatment center in Metro Denver, Colorado, has your solution. Whether online rehab, in-person rehab, or a mix of the two, our program can help you as does our current patients and graduates.

Learn More at www.Colorado-Recovery.com or call 833.448.0127.

Why It’s Necessary to Address “Co-Occurring Disorders” in Addiction Treatment

Posted on September 8, 2020 by cmarnew

According to SAMHSA, The definition of a co-occurring disorder is the “coexistence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.” Co-occurring disorders are widespread among the addicted population, with as many as 95% of addicts suffering from both addiction and mental health disorders. These statistics apply to opioid-addicted as well. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide treatment for co-occurring disorders in our addiction treatment center.

Co-Occurring Treatment For Opioid Addiction

Yet, almost all opioid-specific treatment providers offer no care for patients who have a co-occurring mental health condition. Even those opioid addiction treatment programs that do offer clinical services almost uniformly fail to assess for mental health conditions and only offer individual therapy or case management. This is problematic not only because they’re only treating half of an opioid addict’s problems, but because in doing so, they set patients up for relapse. Mental-health is inextricably linked to addiction, so if we don’t treat them simultaneously, it is as if we put a band-aid on a broken bone.

CMAR Treatment Approach

At CMAR, treatment begins with clinical assessments at our mental health treatment center, enabling us to identify the nature of the addiction and all co-occurring mental health disorders from the start. Patients then engaging in intensive, comprehensive counseling services to address and resolve all underlying issues. Simultaneously, our medical team provides addiction medicine and psych services to ensure well-rounded and sustainable patient recovery. Learn more at CMAR and call 833.448.0127.

Why CMAR Integrates Structured Therapy

Posted on September 3, 2020 by cmarnew

Over the last few years, opioid treatment providers, and programs of all sorts have begun offering increased services. Some offer case management, some offer individual therapy programs, and some even offer peer-support groups. Yet no program in Colorado, until Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, had ever integrated the services; they’ve always been “ancillary offerings.”

Our Addiction Treatment Program

At CMAR, we designed an addiction treatment program, which rejects the notion that medication can ever be the central component of someone’s recovery. Addiction cannot be treated with a pill alone because it is the combination of a physical and mental disorder. Thus, medication is often necessary, but never the central guiding force. The central feature of effective opioid addiction treatment is therapy and peer-support. Therapy provides necessary psychoeducation, affords patients an opportunity to process emotional dysfunction, resolves trauma, reduces the impact of mental health conditions, helps generate healthy coping mechanisms, and builds trust.

Opiate Addiction Treatment

So what’s the most effective way for opiate addiction treatment programs to approach treatment? Well, it’s to use medications within a broader intensive outpatient/outpatient therapy experience. For someone to start and remain a patient at CMAR, we don’t demand that they take medications to assist their recovery. We believe it’s a hugely effective and helpful component, but we do not mandate it. What is necessary at CMAR is participation in group therapy programs and individual therapy programs. These settings are opportunities for CMAR patients to achieve sustainable resolution for their addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Learn more at CMAR or call us at 833.448.0127.

Signs of Addiction

Posted on August 1, 2020 by cmarnew

Addiction is a chronic disease that causes physical and psychological dependence on a drug. A person may lack control over their behavior despite the risks associated with drug use. Identifying the signs of addiction can help one seek treatment for problematic drug use. This step may also help one learn how to avoid using drugs after completing treatment at CMAR. If you are wondering if you’re showing the signs of addiction, contact our Colorado addiction treatment center at 833.448.0127 today.

Physical and Psychological Signs of Addiction

A drug addict may show physical symptoms of addiction when they overdose or withdraw substance use. However, some physical signs may be difficult to identify, particularly if they use drugs in isolation. Some of the most common physical signs of drug addiction are changes in weight and dilated or enlarged pupils. A user may also neglect personal hygiene measures such as combing hair and bathing.

Drug addiction can influence one to use a significant amount of a substance, leading to an overdose. Depending on the drug used, one may show signs of an overdose, such as hallucinations, trouble walking, and agitation. Prolonged drug usage can also cause alterations in the structure of the brain. Hence, a person will show psychological symptoms of addiction, like anxiousness and mood swings. Moreover, one can experience personality changes and lack the motivation to engage in various activities. If you are showing signs of addiction, contact CMAR to learn more about our addiction treatment therapies.

Behavioral and Social Signs of Drug Addiction

Behavioral signs of addiction refer to the pattern of conduct that a person shows after prolonged drug use. These symptoms are mainly an indicator of the side effects of the drug they are using. For instance, a user may think about using and obtaining a drug obsessively. The drugs become a priority in their life, in that they neglect other obligations. As such, a person may choose to buy drugs over meeting basic needs, like housing. One can also lose control over their usage even when they want to reduce usage or quit drugs.

Addiction can affect a person’s ability to reason, making them engage in irrational behavior. Such behaviors may include starting unnecessary arguments, which may lead to fights. Drug abuse can also influence how a person interacts and socializes with other people. For example, prolonged drug use will affect a user’s health and make it hard for them to participate in sporting activities. Hence, one will come up with excuses to avoid exercising and engaging in sports. One may also seclude themselves to prevent other people from noticing that they use drugs.

Treating Drug Addiction

Seeking addiction treatment can help a person in the recovery process. Most addiction treatment centers have various programs one can join, depending on the nature of addiction. Moreover, other factors, such as multiple substance use and mental health conditions, determine the program one joins at a mental health treatment center. It is recommendable for people with chronic addiction to join a medication-assisted treatment program. This type of plan allows one to receive medication that will help minimize withdrawal effects. A person can also enroll in a nearby outpatient treatment center. Such establishments offer programs that will allow them to carry out other activities, such as working while receiving treatment.

Therapy and counseling are also a crucial component of addiction recovery. This step helps one learn more about the effects of their drug usage. Moreover, the specialists will educate you or a loved one on how to avoid the triggers of drug abuse. Some of the therapies used in treating addiction are:

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

Recovering From Addiction at CMAR

Showing signs of addiction is an indicator that a person needs professional help. At CMAR, we can help you recover from addiction to opioids such as heroin. We test our patients’ mental condition to treat co-occurring conditions. This measure helps to ensure that you have a better and life-long recovery. Call CMAR today at 833.448.0127 to enroll for an effective addiction treatment program.

The End of Cookie Cutters: Truly Individualized Opioid Recovery

Posted on July 12, 2020 by cmarnew

At CMAR, Colorado’s first recovery-oriented and clinically driven opioid recovery program, we work with our patients to identify the most appropriate course for them, while still ensuring that they receive all of the clinical care and social support necessary for recovery.

Medication-assisted treatment, pure harm-reduction, and abstinence-based care are the three primary “umbrellas” of treatment for opioid dependence. There are certainly other methods, but these are the most common and researched approaches offered in the US.

Any program that claims to be individualized, and then offers only one “path” to achieving abstinence, by definition is only partially individualized. At CMAR, we recognize those limitations, so despite a somewhat misleading name, we offer treatment for opioid dependence (and co-occurring disorders) using abstinence, medication-assisted, and harm reduction. Our goal is to meet our patients where they’re at and treat their needs. If those needs call for a patient to remain abstinent or achieve abstinence after a Suboxone taper, we support that. If a patient just wants Vivitrol and clinical care, we will proudly offer them that care. At CMAR, medication-assisted treatment is option, but therapy and community are not. We recognize that there is no alternative to the processing and learning of new “tools” derived from therapy and that there is no replacement for the support and love of one’s peers.

Recovery is a personal, ongoing process of personal development, yet one-size-fits-all programs cannot honor that truth. For that very reason, we built our program with the intention of guiding patients through the format of care that they seek, and that is clinically and medically indicated. We are proud to provide medication-assisted treatment, yet we fully recognize that this “MAT” is not the only way.

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

The Importance of On-Site and Remote Opioid Treatment

Posted on July 11, 2020 by cmarnew

Recovery from opioid dependence is a difficult, but life-saving endeavor. The process can involve many ups and downs and demands a lifelong commitment to change in order to avoid relapse.

But the good news is that it can be done, through integrated-care including medications, clinical treatment, accountability, and peer-support. The only problem is that with only one integrated care program in Colorado (Colorado Medication-Assisted Recovery) only people in Metro Denver can actually get to the in-person program just North of the city limits.

Thankfully, no matter where someone lives in the state, CMAR’s remote treatment option offers unparalleled treatment services for people addicted to opioids. Both have their benefits, but they are equally effective at empowering patients to achieve a lasting, lifelong recovery.

CMAR’s in-person program is a completely unique approach to treatment for Colorado. We fuse addiction medicine, group, individual, and family therapy, with peer support and accountability for an unmatched recovery experience. Just off of I-25 in Thornton, CMAR is easily accessible to anyone in the central, west, east, and north metro Denver areas. But outside that part of the state, it’s not accessible in person.

Enter CMAR-Remote: Our Telehealth-based, HIPAA compliant, full-service integrated Medication Assisted Recovery program provides all of the services as our in-person program. CMAR-Remote is Colorado’s first and only web-based treatment program to offer a combination of addiction medicine, intensive outpatient counseling (including individual, group, and family therapy), wraparound case-management and peer support, plus urinalysis! Every aspect of a patient’s opioid dependence treatment is now accessible from home, enabling those with mobility issues, those outside of North Metro Denver, and those who are otherwise unable to make it to our physical center regularly, to receive the most comprehensive treatment available.

Whether at our physical center or on the web, at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are 100% focused on treating individuals suffering from opioid dependence and any co-occurring addiction and mental health concerns.

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

The Current Opioid Crisis: What You Need to Know

Posted on July 10, 2020 by cmarnew

The opioid crisis has reached new heights in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 128 people die per day as a result of overdosing on opioids. Opioid addiction treatment centers in Colorado continue to see more patients as addiction rates soar.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) includes addictions to prescription pain medication, fentanyl, heroin, and similar drugs. This epidemic has resulted in nearly $80 billion annually in treatment costs and criminal justice involvement. What is the opioid crisis? How did it start, and what are the solutions? To learn more about opioid addiction treatment, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 today.

How Did the Opioid Crisis Begin?

The popularity of opioids began in the 1990s when pharmaceutical companies mass-produced prescriptions for pain relief and muscle relaxation. Although there was concern about the addictive properties of the drugs early on, pharmaceutical companies assured the medical industry and the public that patients would not become addicted to the substances.

Convinced of this, doctors and treatment specialists began prescribing opioids at alarming rates almost from the beginning. As the prescription rates increased, the addiction rates increased. By 2017 almost 50,000 Americans died from an overdose, and nearly 2 million people experienced substance abuse. Many Americans required help from a dual diagnosis treatment program.

Current Opioid Use Statistics

NIDA has currently released opioid use statistics that users and medical professionals should find alarming. These statistics include:

Nearly 30 percent of patients who use opioids for pain management misuse them
Over 10 percent of users develop an addiction or dependency to opioids
Up to 6 percent of users who abuse opioids end up using heroin
Nearly 80 percent of people who use heroin also abused their first opioid prescription
There was a decline in opioid-related overdoses in 38 states between 2017 and 2018

What are the Solutions to the Crisis?

NIDA and other agencies have declared that opioid use has become a public health crisis in the U.S. due to the number of overdoses, fatalities, and addictions in both men and women. Both government agencies and private entities have taken drastic steps toward alerting the public about the current problem. These steps include:

Improving Addiction Treatment Services

One of the biggest steps to addressing the current crisis is by improving the way treatment centers help clients. Addiction treatment services include evidence-based treatment (EBT), dual diagnosis treatment, and aftercare programs that promote a sustainable recovery without relapse.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Addiction treatment centers in Colorado are including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) into their programs as a supplement to therapy and support. Buprenorphine, suboxone, and naltrexone are among the opioid antagonists that reduce cravings and the effects of withdrawal symptoms during recovery.

Increased Monitoring of the Crisis

Through advanced technology and accountability, agencies are improving the way they monitor the current opioid crisis. We are now getting a better understanding of how and why the drugs are being prescribed and how the public is responding to the accessibility of these drugs. Agencies are also obtaining more accurate figures about the crisis.

Better Practices for Pain Management

The more we understand what causes pain, the more we can come up with holistic alternatives to prescription medication. Support for research on pain and addiction has increased significantly, as researchers explore new options. It is important that we move beyond the crisis by giving patients better solutions to managing their pain. With our chronic pain management program, we give you the tools you need to manage your pain effectively without medication.

Are You Addicted to Opioids? Get Help at CMAR

In spite of the opioid crisis, help is available for addiction. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers treatment for opioid addiction at our medication-assisted treatment center in Colorado. To find out more about your treatment options, contact us at 833.448.0127, and speak with a treatment specialist today.

Stigma in Outpatient Rehab: Why Opioid-Dependent People Need Their Own Program

Posted on July 10, 2020 by cmarnew

Opiate addiction is a unique disorder, that requires specialized care. Among other things, this means that opioid-dependent individuals need an outpatient treatment program just for them, tailored to their needs alone. This may sound ridiculous because chemical-addiction is chemical-addiction, but there’s more to it than that.

Just because nearly every treatment program treats all addictions, doesn’t make that approach the best course of action. Certainly, opioid-addicts achieve recovery in general “addiction treatment”, but statistically their rate of success is far below that of their alcoholic, benzodiazepine, and stimulant-addicted counterparts. This is for a variety of reasons…

Research tells us that abstinence-only treatment, in which addicted persons are made to stop absolutely all potentially mood-altering substances is not effective for those with acute opioid dependence.

The majority of opioid-addicts relapse and frequently die following an attempt at total abstinence, though some do “make it”. This isn’t to say that the solution is to continue recreational drug use or to be on MAT forever. Rather, research has proven that a combination of opioid replacement medications like Suboxone or Naltrexone (for a period of time) plus structured and comprehensive therapy, and peer-support, leads to unmatched success rates. This is the beauty of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

The problem with integrating MAT into traditional treatment is more than just the difference in treatment approaches… The problem is stigma. Traditional treatment, which often uses 12-step as the primary intervention, preaches total abstinence. Unfortunately, even if treatment is segregated between those practicing abstinence and those on MAT, the patients on MAT will exist in an unsupportive environment. The patients practicing abstinence routinely stigmatize those on MAT, leading to heightened stress, a feeling of being “different”, and even the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are completely dedicated to treating individuals suffering from opioid dependence and co-occurring addictions and mental health conditions. This enables us to cultivate a community of supportive individuals, all with a similar story. Whether a patient does a rapid-taper and gets totally off of MAT medications, or they remain on it for a longer period of time, every CMAR patients has “been there” and can relate to one another.

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

Structured & Accountable Care at CMAR

Posted on June 22, 2020 by cmarnew

One of the biggest challenges we face in combating the opioid epidemic…is the fractured state of opioid treatment services.

Getting clean from opioid addiction can be complicated.

To fully recover, one must see a doctor for assessments, a pharmacy for treatment medications, a therapist for counseling, and (hopefully) find friends/mentors for guidance and accountability.

With such a “siloed” system, there are more opportunities to fail than there are to succeed.

All the while, an average of more than 5 Coloradan’s a day die from an overdose, and many wonder, “Why?”

There are myriad and complex reasons why opioids kill so many people despite improvements to treatment, but one reason is clear…

Few opioid addicts can achieve lasting recovery when care is so disparate, and accountability is rarely more than a monthly urinalysis.

Unless people can access structured, comprehensive, and accountable care, their ability to achieve lasting recovery is extremely low.

If a doctor, pharmacy, therapy program, case manager, and peer support were in one place, there wouldn’t be any cracks to slip through.

Well, that’s exactly what Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR) has done…

CMAR offers addiction-medicine, medications, therapy (individual, group, and family), and peer-support all in a single location.

CMAR even offers a full-service, remote treatment option.

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

Systematic Approach to Opioid Addiction Treatment

Posted on June 20, 2020 by cmarnew

Opioid recovery has evolved, with medications like Suboxone empowering people to stop recreational opioid use while avoiding significant withdrawal…Saving countless lives.

Yet for the majority of people, these medications are provided without additional support…

Unfortunately, that’s just not enough…nearly everyone with opioid dependence also suffers from trauma and/or other mental health conditions, family issues, financial problems, relationship struggles, and so on.

Medications help, but they can’t fix these complex problems. So what helps opioid-dependent people achieve a complete recovery?

From relationships with immediate family and friends, to work associates, each person participates in a huge number of “systems”.

When a person suffers from opioid dependence, it impacts every system they’re a part of and these systems affect them.

To achieve meaningful recovery, we must resolve addictions’ impact on these critical “systems”, and vice-versa.

This begins by simply accepting that recovery demands more than medication.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR) we are committed to providing systemic recovery to enable the whole person, and those they love, to recover.

Reach out to CMAR today if you, a loved one, or a patient is in need of opioid recovery.

Join us at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery.

Learn More at www.Colorado-Recovery.com

or call (720) 778-2627