Peer Support Archives - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

3 Group Therapy Activities You Should Know About

Posted on November 5, 2022 by cmarnew

Treating addiction, depression, and other mental health disorders require a unique approach to dealing with the wide-ranging symptoms and causes of most mental health disorders. Activities in a group therapy program allow individuals to work with their peers in a supervised environment where they practice coping skills and form supportive relationships with others in the group. When combined with other therapies, a group therapy program gives patients the skills and confidence they need to live their best lives.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we help individuals who are struggling with addiction caused by a traumatic event, borderline personality disorder, or other conditions. We take the time to get to know each patient and create a program tailored to their individual symptoms. Patients will participate in group and private therapy sessions while receiving medication to minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings. To learn more about our group therapy programs and how they can benefit your recovery, call 833.448.0127 or use our online form to send us a message today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

The Benefits of Group Therapy Activities

There are many benefits of enrolling in an addiction treatment program that includes motivational group therapy activities, individual therapy, and medical support. Because addiction is such a complex disease, it takes a multi-pronged approach to treat all aspects of the addiction.

During group therapy, patients will meet with their peers in a safe space with a certified behavioral therapist running the session. They will participate in activities that promote healing, improve coping skills, and increase self-esteem and confidence in their abilities to say sober and happy. Just some of the benefits of group therapy activities include the following:

Patients listen to valuable feedback from their peers, who will offer advice from their unique life perspectives. Group therapy can show patients how addiction affects everyone, regardless of their background or personal beliefs.
Creates a bonding opportunity with their peers that can turn into strong relationships that will support a healthy lifestyle long after therapy has ended.
Introduces patients to new hobbies and interests that promote healthy living.
Group therapy can increase the desire to continue with therapy for as long as necessary.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our outpatient treatment programs include group and individual therapy sessions. We offer in-patient and remote treatment options for individuals who can abstain from drugs or alcohol with minimal supervision and have a strong desire to maintain a sober lifestyle.

3 Motivational Group Therapy Activities for Treating Addiction

Treatment centers offer various programs and activities to benefit the recovery process that are unique to the facility. When searching for an addiction treatment program, ask about the different types of activities and therapies they offer to see if they are right for you.

Here are three group therapy activities for treating addiction:

1. Role-Playing Activities

Putting yourself in another person’s shoes is a great way to see another perspective. Therapists will assign roles to individuals and have them act out different scenarios. Role reversal is a healthy way to understand others’ feelings and perspectives and gain insight into how their actions are perceived by others.

2. Family Therapy

Involving parents, spouses, and children in the recovery process is important to restore family relationships and create a supportive home environment. Families will learn about the dangers of addiction and how it impacts everyone in the family, including childhood development.

3. Music Therapy

Music can have a positive effect on the recovery process. Certain sound frequencies are proven to have a positive physical and mental impact and can improve a person’s happiness and motivation. Group music activities include playing in a drum circle, dancing, singing, and writing songs.

Participating in motivational group therapy activities as part of a well-rounded treatment program can significantly improve a person’s chance of reaching their recovery goals with fewer missteps or relapses.

Group Therapy Activities for Healing at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we support men and women from all walks of life who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or other dangerous substances. We combine various types of therapies with medical support to give patients the best chances of recovery in a safe and private space.

Just some of our group therapy activities include:

Group discussions with peers led by a certified therapist
Activities and games to practice and fine-tune coping and communication skills
Adventure/nature walks
Art/music therapy
Family therapy

Discover all of the benefits of group therapy by calling 833.448.0127 today to meet with our team and enroll in our addiction treatment program. You can also fill out our online form and let us get back to you.

Where to Find a Women’s Rehab Center near Welby, CO

Posted on October 18, 2022 by cmarnew

Women of all ages are put under a lot of pressure to live up to certain expectations from their family, friends, and society. Sometimes, this pressure can become too much and negatively impact their physical and mental health. A women’s rehab center gives women a gender-specific environment where they can talk about the struggles they face with support from their peers in recovery and experienced therapists.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is just a short drive away from Welby on West 88th Avenue across from the North Star Elementary School. Our women’s addiction rehab center supports women who are struggling with addiction or other mental health disorders. We meet one-on-one with each patient to understand the issues that are disrupting their lives and create an effective treatment plan for addressing all of their symptoms. To speak with our staff about enrolling in our women’s rehab program, call 833.448.0127 today to schedule an appointment.

Why Do You Need a Women’s Rehab Center?

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we help women who are struggling with addiction to opioids, alcohol, or other substances. Our outpatient treatment programs are ideal for women who can abstain from drugs or alcohol while living at home or in a sober living environment.

Women’s treatment programs can provide valuable insight and support. Many women feel more comfortable opening up in a women’s-only space. Participants can connect with others in recovery and gain perspective on their own experiences. Additionally, having the support of therapists who have helped other women on the journey to recovery can make a difference.

Finding a Women’s Addiction Rehab Center near Welby, CO

When searching for a women’s rehab center, you want to find a place that offers a full range of behavioral and holistic therapies with different levels of treatment programs. No two cases of addiction are similar, and your treatment program will be specific to your individual symptoms and their severity.

Here is what you can expect from a women’s addiction rehab center near Welby, CO:

During the admissions process, trained staff will complete a full assessment to determine the right treatment program for your symptoms. Treatment options include behavioral therapy in private and women-only group sessions while receiving medication to minimize withdrawals and cravings.
Therapists will work privately with you to determine the root cause of the addiction and develop coping skills to manage your symptoms and triggers.
During group therapy, you will practice coping and communication skills under close supervision by an experienced therapist. You will also gain new perspectives and feedback from peers and learn that it is helpful to talk about your feelings with others.
Family therapy is an essential part of any addiction treatment program and gives families a chance to mend broken relationships and create a stable and sober home environment.

A women’s rehab program offers a safe and comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of their addiction, leading to lifelong, sustainable recovery.

For a Comprehensive Women’s Rehab Program, Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are just west of the 25 freeway off of the West 88th Avenue exit and just a few short miles from Welby, CO. We offer women who are struggling with addiction a women’s-only rehab program where they can focus on their recovery with the support and guidance they need.

Our addiction treatment center offers several types of programs, including:

Separate men’s and women’s rehab programs
Medication-assisted treatment
Alcohol addiction treatment program
Prescription and illicit drug addiction treatment program
Telehealth program

For more information about our women’s rehab program, call 833.448.0127 or fill out our online form today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

Finding the Best Men’s Rehab Center in Thornton, CO

Posted on October 14, 2022 by cmarnew

A men’s rehab center gives men struggling with addiction a men’s-only treatment program that offers a space where participants find support from others who understand their struggles. From therapists who have experience in helping men reach a place of sustainable recovery to peers who have walked down similar paths, the community found in men’s rehab centers can be invaluable. Men can find it easier to open up and talk about personal issues in a men’s-only space.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we support men who are struggling with addiction to opioids, alcohol, or other substances. We are off the 25 freeway across from the North Star Elementary School and offer discreet treatment programs for men who are ready for a positive change. You will work with an experienced therapist to discover the root cause of your addiction while working with other men on a similar journey. To learn more about our men’s rehab program, call 833.448.0127 or send us a message online today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

Why Do You Need a Men’s Rehab Center?

For many men, being vulnerable and admitting they need help can be challenging. Instead of talking about their feelings, it’s easier to pretend nothing is wrong or turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. Unfortunately, instead of helping, these coping mechanisms might only make things worse in the long run.

A men’s rehab center works with men from all backgrounds who struggle with addiction. Some of the topics covered in sessions might include:

Conflicts in relationships
Anger or other emotional concerns
Peer pressure
Societal pressure
Gender or identity confusion
Co-occurring disorders of addiction and other mental health disorders

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our men’s addiction rehab center gives men a safe space to work on their recovery with the support of their peers in recovery. They will participate in both individual and group therapy with others to develop healthy coping skills for managing their symptoms and triggers.

Benefits of Enrolling at a Men’s Addiction Rehab Center in Thornton, CO

Men living in Colorado will find many benefits in enrolling at a men’s rehab center. They learn that it is not a sign of weakness to talk about their feelings but one of courage and strength.

Here are some additional benefits of enrolling in a men’s rehab center:

You will work with an experienced therapist during individual therapy to uncover the root causes of substance use issues. During these sessions, you will also develop new coping skills to manage your symptoms and triggers and gain confidence in abstaining from drugs or alcohol.
In group therapy, you will practice your coping and communication skills with other men in the program under the supervision of a therapist. You will also gain valuable insight into how others in recovery are coping with their symptoms and what works best for them.
During your treatment program, medical staff will administer medications to reduce your withdrawals and cravings so you can focus fully on your recovery. To get the most benefits from the medication, it may take some time to find the right dosage for maximum benefits with minimal side effects.

A men’s addiction rehab center in Thornton is the best place for men to focus on their addiction recovery and the issues that matter to them most.

For the Top Men’s Rehab Center in Thornton, Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide men with a tailored treatment program to treat their addiction to alcohol, opioids, or other substances.

Take that first step toward a better life today by calling 833.448.0127 to talk to our team about enrolling in our men’s rehab center in Thornton, CO.

Accommodation and Addiction

Posted on May 6, 2022 by cmarnew

ACCOMMODATION AND ADDICTION:

Typically, accommodation is considered a good thing. It is usually associated with being polite, caring, and respectful of someone else’s wants, wishes, or needs. We are often praised for being selfless or kind when we accommodate someone else’s preferences. This praise feels good, thus, reinforces and encourages us to continue with our accommodative ways. However, I will make the argument that, while this way of being has positive qualities, if taken to an extreme, it is not ultimately beneficial to ourselves. Let’s look at an example of how this could play out.

I want you to imagine that you are hosting a dinner party and one of your guests is lactose-intolerant. As such, there can’t be any dishes with dairy. Although you love cheese, you recognize that it is only one night, and you can live without it for a meal. Not so bad, right? Your guest will be appreciative, and you’ll feel good about yourself for accommodating your their dietary restriction. Everybody goes home happy.

Well, let’s imagine that this guest starts coming over for dinner several times a week. Although you like them quite a bit, you notice that it is starting to feel like there’s no room for your preferences. You want something with cheese but also don’t want your guest to be hungry or ill. As such, you continue making dishes without dairy. Your guest may still be appreciative, but you begin to resent them. What started as a considerate gesture has grown and changed, such that you are no longer able to eat the dinner you want to.

Although this is a somewhat silly example, it highlights the dynamic of what’s called “pathological accommodation.” Pathological accommodation is when an individual regularly prioritizes others’ preferences above their own to gain admiration, affection, and praise. It is not about accommodating others once or twice; it is a compulsion. Typically, people who pathologically accommodate are well-liked, which reinforces the accommodative tendencies. However, like with all things, it is not that simple.

People who pathologically accommodate also feel helpless. They have their own urges, needs, and feelings that they don’t know how to relate to. They have spent so much time prioritizing others’ needs that they don’t know what to do with their own. As such, they may turn towards behaviors that enable them to connect with these feelings in a “safe” way, free of the burden of accommodation. Two relatively common behaviors for pathological accommodators are isolating and using alcohol and/or drugs.

With isolation, the individual can sit in their own experience without feeling any pressure to respond to someone else’s needs. With substance use, the individual attempts to escape those painful feelings of loneliness. Further, the act of drinking or using drugs creates a sense of autonomy or control to make decisions over one’s own life.

While I am in no way arguing that accommodating others’ is necessarily a bad thing, I encourage you to reflect on the frequency and nature of your accommodations. Eating dairy-free for a meal here and there is fine. But every day? I don’t think so. We all need cheese every now and then.

By Jonathan Fricke, MA

Step 2 in the 12-Step Process

Posted on February 7, 2022 by cmarnew

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

STEP TWO
“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

In my experience, step two is often a sticking point for people. This step asks participants to acknowledge and accept a higher power and to recognize that only this higher power can and will remove the individual’s compulsions related to substance use or problem behaviors. The purpose of this step is to build upon step one in realizing the individual’s powerlessness while also generating a spiritual and hopeful mindset. In other words, accepting that the individual cannot overcome their addiction alone and, in doing so, developing trust, a sense of support, and hopefulness through this belief.

Now, why is it that I say step two often presents a sticking point for people? Much of that has to do with the term “higher power.” Many hear about the importance of a belief in a higher power and immediately assume that that means the individual must believe in God. Although many twelve-steppers do believe in God as their higher power, the assumption that a higher power and God are synonymous is inaccurate. In fact, there is no requirement that an individual must believe in God or subscribe to any specific religious beliefs to participate in twelve-step programming. Instead, the term higher power is intended to be rather broad such that the individual may connect with a higher power that they find to be personally meaningful.

Since an individual’s higher power must have personal significance, it may differ from others in the program. However, the important part is not so much what the higher power is, as it is the humility, belief, and openness that comes from the recognition of a higher power. If the individual does not come into the program with a well-defined personal higher power, then this step invites the individual to reflect on how they define their own higher power.

Below, you will find examples of several different types of higher powers that have been useful to various individuals in recovery:

God or other religious figure: If an individual enters the program with a preexisting belief in God or other religious figure, this belief can be a useful foundation in recovery.
Nature: The natural world around us can serve as a higher power. We can see, feel, smell, taste, and touch nature’s force. It is always available to us.
Science: Some may rely on the scientific and neurochemical underpinnings of addiction to make sense their personal journey of addiction and recovery.
Morality and Values: Consider what living a meaningful, fulfilling, and moral life means to you. It may mean providing for your family or service to the community, among others. Personal morals and values can be powerful guides in recovery.
Twelve-step programs: That’s right, a higher power can also be the twelve-step program itself. Hearing stories of recovery and surrounding yourself with people and programs that support your recovery can instill a sense of support and hopefulness.

While my hope is that the list above may be useful in helping you identify your own higher power, it is by no means exhaustive. I would encourage you to engage in self-reflection and discussions with others to better understand what higher power means to you.

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

Step 1 in the 12-Step Process

Posted on February 7, 2022 by cmarnew

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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

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

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

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

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

Pro-Social Behavior: What it means, why it matters, and how to do it?

Posted on November 1, 2021 by cmarnew

Addiction is a disease of isolation. One of its key features is its ability to reinforce antisocial behaviors within the host, leading to more antisocial behaviors, so on and so forth. The addict at their lowest point, is entirely alone. Before getting clean, many of us share the experience of having a phone full of peoples’ numbers yet with no one to call. We alienate, avoid, lie, cheat, steal manipulate, wear myriad masks, all in an attempt to protect our addiction as it eats away at us. So it stands to reason that in the end of our active drug addiction, all we have is a shell of ourselves that existed before alcoholism or drug addiction, and perhaps a few loved ones holding onto hope. And so it is that when we find ourselves beginning the journey of addiction recovery at a drug addiction rehab center, even after the drugs have left our system, our antisocial behavioral pattern that served our addiction well, keeps us from progressing towards a quality, sober life. This is where the need for promoting pro-social behavior comes from.

The term “Prosocial Behavior” can be defined as, “voluntary actions that are intended to help or benefit another individual or group of individuals.” This could include donating to a charity anonymously or stopping to help a stranded person on the side of the road. For people in early alcoholism treatment or addiction treatment, this could mean giving money back to a store we stole from or to a charity supporting people who cannot afford a higher quality drug addiction treatment center in Colorado (or elsewhere!) Those examples are prosocial because in each case the individual does an action that doesn’t provide them with a tangible reward in return. So how does someone at an addiction treatment center and in early addiction recovery, shift from antisocial behavior to prosocial behavior? That’s where Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s expert addiction counselors, addiction therapists, mental health therapists, addiction medicine providers, case managers & other treatment providers come into play in a way that few other addiction treatment center staff can…

At CMAR we teach prosocial behavior, we have our patients practice prosocial behavior, and we model it as well. In every interaction we have with one of our patients, we seek to motivate the people in our care to engage in healthy human interactions. Though we are not a specifically 12 step drug treatment program, we understand that as far back as the founding of AA, alcoholism experts and addiction experts have understood that the root of recovery is prosocial inspirational conversations between two parties, at least one of which has true empathy for the other. We too seek to inspire prosocial behaviors, in part by showing examples (having senior patients act it out it, watching a short film with a clear pro-social message, reading short stories about the value received by practicing pro-social actions, writing and talking about prosocial behaviors and having our therapists (many of whom are in long-term addiction recovery themselves) model it. In-so-doing, we inspire our patients to seek to become more prosocial, having seen what benefits it can provide.

Humans are social creatures, so even in our darkest states of mind a part of us wants to connect with others, and our addiction treatment providers know how to positively connect with that part of the mind. Writing about things that are meaningful to ourselves like identity, values, the emotional outcome of helping others, and an ideal future self, helps lead people to choose prosocial behavior. In terms of practicing prosocial behavior, it’s all about performing prosocial actions and behaviors every day. We develop a prosocial mindset by literally helping others. Overtime (research suggests as short as 10 days), helping others becomes a habit, which then leads to the realizations of the extraordinary emotional and psychological benefits of prosocial behavior, thereby further ingraining the behaviors into the mind. Helping others is a particularly effective habit when those practicing it also have the opportunity to discuss the helping interactions, including how it felt. Helping others isn’t the be all end all though…

Prosocial behavior certainly involves helping others, but it also includes cooperative interactions, displaying gratitude, affirming others, engaging meaningfully with others, and even acting as our authentic selves. By doing these things, we improve our mental health, we increase the support system around us and thereby reducing relapse likelihood, we love ourselves as a member of something greater that we care about, and so on. Modeling is ultimately the most effective way in which we impart these qualities onto our patients.

To learn more about how CMAR incorporates pro-social behavior into its medication-assisted recovery program, reach out online or call 833.448.0127 today.

Peer Support Can Hold You Accountable to Your Recovery

Posted on July 23, 2021 by cmarnew

Peer support for addiction recovery can be successful in helping those suffering from addiction when individual therapy is not enough. Participants will feel more comfortable around others who have gone through similar struggles and feel more inclined to share their stories. Your deeper connection with others in your peer support group will keep you accountable as they will be encouraging you toward success and help you on bad days.

If you are interested in learning more about peer support for addiction recovery at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, call 833.448.0127 to speak with a therapist and learn how peer support can help you or your loved ones.

Why Does Peer Support for Recovery Work so Well?

We tend to stay close to those who we feel are similar to us. Positive people attract other positive people, just like those who view the world negatively will attract others who share their pessimistic views. Peer support is successful because everyone involved has lived with addiction, including the moderator.

It allows for a more encouraging atmosphere and builds on the participant’s strengths and overall well-being, helping them stay motivated in their recovery.

Peer support can help with a variety of other mental health and social issues, including:

Opioid addiction recovery
Depression
Anxiety
Death of a loved one
Relationship issues

When you begin your addiction recovery at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, your program will include a combination of individual therapy, peer support therapy, and case management to make sure you are getting the most out of your recovery.

Peer Support Can Keep You Accountable During Your Recovery

When working with your peers in addiction recovery, you will feel more compelled to stay on track. The other participants can give you advice on your recovery and encourage you to stick with the program. You will have more faith in their words as they are living proof that recovery is possible.

Your addiction will only be successful if you are willing to do what’s needed to recover. When first starting peer support therapy, you may feel uncomfortable sharing with others. But as you listen to them tell their stories, you will begin to relate with them and feel comfortable sharing. The more you are around them, the easier it will be to open up and get to the bottom of your addiction.

Benefits of Peer Support

When you are involved with peer support groups to help with your recovery, you will begin to feel the positive effects of working with someone that understands your addiction, including:

A better sense of well being
Learning how to trust others
A better circle of friends
Improved self-esteem
Learning important coping skills

Although there is no cure for addiction, with a supportive group of peers who understand, recovery and long-term sobriety is possible.

Get Involved to Help Others With Their Addiction Recovery

As the need for peer support for addiction recovery grows, the best leaders will be those who have survived their addiction through peer support and now want to help others in their recovery.

By getting involved with helping others, you are helping yourself build your self-esteem, confidence, and other coping skills. The joy you will feel knowing you are making a difference in someone’s life is a powerful motivator.

Learn How Peer Support Can Help You at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Peer support can be very beneficial to those who are struggling with their addiction recovery. Better case management may be required. Adding peer support therapy can be a suitable form of treatment that you or a loved one needs to recover from their addiction successfully.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we understand the value of peer support for addiction recovery and will assist you in your addiction recovery to ensure life-long health and wellness. Call 833.448.0127 today to speak with one of our therapists about starting your road to recovery.