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Category: Mental Health

What Is a Harm-Reduction Approach to Recovery?

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The harm-reduction approach to therapy is a set of eight principles that center around meeting people where they are and slowly bringing them along to recovery. Treatment specialists recognize that not everyone is ready or capable of ending their addiction at a given time. Instead of assuming where an individual should be in their addiction recovery, therapists use evidence-based methods to treat the addiction symptoms.

Harm-reduction treatment programs can prevent addiction-related harm instead of helping the individual end their addiction. Programs offer education, resources, disease prevention, and medical care to those suffering from addiction and need help right away. A person who receives medical care for addiction may decide that it is time to enter a drug or alcohol rehab program. To learn more about our addiction treatment center approach, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127.

What Are the 8 Principles of the Harm Reduction-Approach?

The harm-reduction approach to treatment includes a variety of strategies that involve safer drug or alcohol use, managed use, full abstinence, and addressing medical conditions or mental health issues for drug or alcohol users. Programs operate on eight main principles.

Principle 1: Acceptance

Treatment professionals involved in mental health and behavioral treatment must first accept that prescription and illicit drug use is a part of their reality. Their primary goal is to minimize the harmful effects of drugs instead of ignoring or condemning them.

Principle 2: Understanding

Healthcare and mental health treatment professionals must understand that drug addiction is a complicated problem that involves various behaviors that range from severe use to abstinence. They must acknowledge that some ways of using substances are safer than others.

Principle 3: Wellness

Treatment professionals and facilities must first establish a treatment that enhances a person’s quality of life, not just addresses their addiction. Improving the quality of life needs to be the criteria used to assess and identify successful intervention and treatment.

Principle 4: Non-Coercive Services

Non-coercive and non-judgmental services must be offered to those who are struggling with addiction. This treatment may include services, such as:

  • Medical treatment
  • Clinical treatment
  • Case management services
  • Educational resources

Services must be designed to reduce any harm that may come to those who receive treatment. Recipients must not feel judged or pressured into receiving addiction treatment.

Principle 5: Empowerment

Those who are struggling with addiction or mental health issues must be allowed to contribute to the creation of addiction treatment therapies designed to help them recover. Those with addictions may have some ideas on how best to help them get clean and stay clean for life.

Principle 6: Affirmation

The harm-reduction approach affirms that people who use drugs are the primary people who reduce the harm drugs cause. Harm-reduction treatment empowers drug users to share information and support other users with strategies that meet their needs.

Principle 7: Recognition

Treatment professionals recognize that factors such as social inequality, sex-based discrimination, past trauma, social isolation, racism, class, and poverty all contribute to the vulnerabilities of those addicted to drugs. They also affect a person’s ability to deal with drug-related harm.

Principle 8: Acknowledgment

This type of treatment fully acknowledges the danger and harm that is associated with illicit drug use. In no way or form does it try to ignore or minimize the physical and mental impact of drugs.

Learn More at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

If you are struggling with addiction, you can get help for the harmful effects of drugs without feeling like we’re judging or alienating you. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 today. We will discuss your condition, get answers to your questions about the harm-reduction approach, and explore your treatment options. We are here to help you get on the road to recovery.

Do You Need Family Therapy During the Holidays?

Posted on by cmarnew

While a family can be a happy union, sometimes things may not work well. Some issues can strain the relationship between spouses, children, and parents. It is essential to interact with your loved ones and know whether there is a need for family therapy during holidays. Every family is unique, and determining your needs can help you find the right help. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can assist if your family is battling an addiction to opioids or alcohol. To learn more about our programs, reach out to our team today at 833.448.0127.

The Significance of Family Therapy During Holidays

Family counseling aims at addressing particular issues that affect the proper functioning of the unit. For example, holiday stress can be challenging for many families. Furthermore, health and behavioral problems can cause disconnection between family members. However, a qualified therapist at a mental health treatment center can use various proven techniques to solve the issues depending on your family’s situation.

Feeling of Loneliness

A holiday can bring your family together, but this is not always the case. If you have teenagers in your household, they may want more privacy. Your spouse may engage in other activities, like going on a trip with friends. It is okay for any family member to desire privacy and time alone. However, if a loved one prefers to stay away from others and avoid interacting with family members and friends altogether, it could be a huge problem.

Withdrawing from family and isolation could signal stress, depression, or other mental problems requiring family therapy during holidays. For example, a child who shows such behaviors could be struggling with abuse or bullying. A therapist at a family therapy program can determine the underlying issues and help reconnect the child with the family.

A Loved One Suffers Substance Dependency

Sometimes your spouse can be battling with a substance use disorder but hides it from other family members. Substance dependency can affect individuals in different ways. If you notice behavioral changes in your loved one, such as withdrawal, mood swings, and a lack of interest in hobbies, investigate to discover the problem.

Finding help for your loved one can save the entire family. A family therapy program equips you with the life skills that are essential to caring for and supporting each other.

Strained Communication in Your Family

Proper communication is vital for understanding each other and strengthening relationships. However, some family members can fail to talk about their situations, causing disconnection and creating barriers, hence paving the way for more problems. If your loved one is in recovery and experiencing holiday stress, a therapist can intervene by teaching vital skills to handle triggers.

Teen Behavioral Issues

Dysfunction in a family unit can cause teenagers to misbehave. The teen could be reacting to unhealthy relationships within the family. You can solve such issues by determining the underlying problems. For example, children who experience traumatic events can change their worldview. Addressing the situation through a therapist can prevent potentially severe consequences. In most cases, family issues can cause children to exhibit various symptoms, including:

  • Physical and mental problems
  • Rebellious attitude towards parents
  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Persistent sibling rivalry
  • Sex issues

Let Your Family Heal at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Identifying the issues affecting your family’s relationship can help you seek the necessary help promptly. Failure to intervene can lead to a disconnection between family members, ruining the unit. A therapist will examine the situation and uncover the underlying issues. We offer treatment programs for the following:

Family therapy during holidays addresses these problems and aims at connecting your loved ones for a healthy relationship. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127 and benefit from personalized treatment based on your family’s needs.

Why Telehealth Treatment Can Work for You

Posted on by cmarnew

Getting the right treatment for substance use disorders can enhance your long-term recovery. Many people fail to find professional help, citing embarrassment and shame. Unfortunately, continued addiction can result in life-threatening consequences. According to statistics, hundreds of thousands of Americans die every year because of overdosing. Rehab centers, such as Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, have advanced their service provision to cater to everyone by using telehealth. If you are battling a substance use disorder, consider a telehealth treatment program for your condition. Contact our team today at 833.448.0127 to learn more.

Understanding the Telehealth Treatment Program for Your Condition

A telehealth program enables you to receive treatment remotely. Healthcare providers use communication channels like text messages, email, phone calls, and video conferencing to deliver services.

It means you do not have to visit the rehab facility in-person for treatment. You will connect with the experts at your desired location and benefit from various programs, including:

Many experts recommend using telehealth treatment due to efficient delivery. The program has numerous other benefits, especially in the COVID-19 era.

A Guarantee of Flexibility

Drug and alcohol abuse recovery is a long-term process. Residency programs require participants to devote much of their time in the rehabilitation facility, but some people may not want to disrupt their professional or personal lives.

Telemedicine is an ideal option if you are looking for a treatment program that allows you to continue with other day-to-day activities. You can fulfill other obligations because telehealth provides a flexible schedule according to your needs.

Elimination of Possible Barriers

Some people may be unable to access treatment because of various circumstances. Telehealth ensures you can receive professional rehab services regardless of your location and other barriers, such as transportation problems.

If you have a family to take care of, telemedicine enables you to fulfill your roles while participating in the online therapy program. Rehab centers can provide services to many clients without compromising the quality of care.

Assurance of Privacy

Studies show that many individuals struggling with substance use disorders fear going to rehab due to embarrassment. If you do not want your classmates, colleagues, and neighbors to discover you are receiving addiction treatment, telemedicine can offer the safety and privacy you need.
You will work with committed professionals who understand your fears. You can attend therapy sessions from a location of your choice where there is privacy.

Support from Online Meetings

You can use online groups to interact with peers and learn from their experiences. A telehealth treatment program for your condition is useful because you can integrate the online platforms for support.

Sometimes, you may feel overwhelmed and in need of encouragement from people who can relate to your situation. Peers can offer encouragement and necessary assistance.

What to Expect from Virtual Therapists

Addiction treatment facilities have qualified therapists and counselors to ensure that those with substance use disorders receive adequate treatment. Therefore, you will be dealing with a certified and experienced healthcare provider in an online therapy program. Virtual therapists provide plenty of benefits, including:

  • Helping you identify and set reasonable recovery goals
  • Offering strategies for relapse prevention
  • Educating you on the implications of substance abuse
  • Using evidence-based therapies for the treatment
  • Offering counseling and guidance

Get Substance Abuse Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

If you are battling a substance use disorder and do not know how to overcome the situation, our rehab center can help. The condition can ruin your education, career, and relationships when left untreated. We can recommend a customized telehealth treatment program for your situation for permanent recovery. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 to start your recovery journey.

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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.