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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.

How Suboxone Is Used to Treat Opioid Addiction

When it comes to addiction, there are many things that a person can become addicted to. From drugs or alcohol to gambling or food, the need for help in treating addiction is real. Even when a person doesn’t abuse drugs intentionally to get high, dependence on a drug to control pain, for example, can lead to addiction. Suboxone can be used in addiction treatment programs to help individuals who are struggling with substance abuse find relief from withdrawal symptoms as they work through the underlying causes of addiction.

What Is Opioid Addiction?

After using opioids to control pain, such as after surgery or for an extended period, it is possible to become dependent on them. Eventually, a person can become addicted to the feeling of relief that opioids bring. Others who are seeking to get high turn to opioids and can eventually become addicted as well. Opioids contribute to over half of all deaths caused by drug overdoses in the United States, so the problem is severe and has become an epidemic.

Common opioids include:

How Is It Treated?

Treating opioid addiction involves several factors. Counseling is often used to help the client cope with the emotions surrounding their pain and learn new strategies, but this alone is not enough. Most of the time, mediated opioid addiction treatment is necessary. Using an opioid replacement therapy strategy, professionals help clients overcome their dependence on the drugs by reducing the withdrawal symptoms that often make it impossible to quit in the first place.

The steps a client typically undergoes, which can occur independently of each other or as a combined process, involve:

  1. Detoxification
  2. Therapy
  3. Medicated treatment
  4. Utilizing ongoing coping strategies

To be the most effective, rehabilitation is encouraged for a period of greater than 90 days. This helps reduce the risk of relapse.

Medicated-Assisted Treatment

During the medicated treatment period, clients are given medicine to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. These medications help without the added adverse effects brought on by opioids. Some drugs also help with cravings experienced during detox. This type of treatment cannot occur without consulting a professional, so it is imperative to seek help. Medications such as Suboxone can reduce the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is one medication that can be used in the treatment of opioid addiction. It is made up of buprenorphine and naloxone, which work together to decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms and reduce an individual’s dependence on opioids. It can block the effects of opioids and make an individual in recovery less likely to relapse. It can also help manage chronic pain, which is one reason why some individuals abuse opioids. Suboxone treatment is always complemented by therapy and counseling.

How Does Suboxone Help with Opioid Addiction Treatment?

Suboxone lowers the effects of opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It has a lower potential for abuse than methadone, which is another commonly used medication in opioid treatment programs. Some of the most common opioid withdrawal symptoms that Suboxone can help relieve include:

  • Stomach cramping
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Frequent chills
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep-related issues
  • Disruptive aches and pains
  • Heart palpitations
  • Intense cravings

Suboxone can be incredibly effective in helping those with opioid addictions maintain recovery long-term.

Opioid Addiction Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Getting treatment for opioid addiction is possible at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. Here, 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 that we can provide a complete recovery to clients. Visit our website or contact us at 833.448.0127 for more information.

Press Release: Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s Clinical Director Interviewed for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s Clinical Director Interviewed for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly

 

Denver, CO: In a recent article in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, Michael Damioli, the clinical director of Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, offers his perspective on the future of telehealth in the field of addiction treatment. 

Medications that can treat opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine, were once only available through in-person inpatient or outpatient treatment. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has propelled addiction treatment centers such as Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery to open up telehealth treatment options. In Damioli’s view, this will pave the way for more comprehensive telehealth treatment options in the future. 

“The telehealth door has been opened,” Damioli notes. While remote treatment for substance use disorder may have been prompted by the pandemic, telehealth is seen as an option that will only continue to grow in years to come. Even as treatment centers begin to return to in-person sessions, telehealth can help those addicted to opioids continue medication-assisted treatment long-term.

About Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is Colorado’s only licensed outpatient addiction treatment center that offers integrated medical, clinical, and pharmaceutical services. To learn more, reach out to their treatment center at 855.454.4003 today.

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.

Signs of Addiction

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.

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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.