MAT Archives - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Posted on September 1, 2023August 26, 2024 by cmarnew

If you’re looking into addiction treatment options, it’s likely that you’ve come across the term “medication-assisted treatment.” What is medication-assisted treatment? This is an approach to addiction treatment that combines medication, counseling, and other support services. It’s typically a part of treatment for opioid addiction, but certain medications can also help those working to overcome alcohol addiction. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, medication-assisted treatment helps individuals struggling with substance use disorder manage their cravings, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and make progress toward recovery.

Learning more about what medication-assisted treatment is can help you understand why it’s an important part of the recovery process. Along with help from a dual diagnosis treatment center and other evidence-based treatment methods, a MAT program can provide a chance for patients to build a foundation for lasting recovery.

Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online today to get started on your own journey to recovery.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

The early days of recovery can be challenging. Withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and thoughts of relapse can make it difficult to make progress. That’s where medication-assisted treatment comes in. This approach utilizes FDA-approved medications to help provide relief from the symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings. This helps patients focus on their recovery plan instead of worrying about how to get through the day.

Medications used in this level of care can include:

Buprenorphine – This medication is used to help reduce cravings for opioids and can also be effective in treating withdrawal symptoms.
Naloxone – This medication helps to reverse the effects of opioids and can help prevent overdoses.
Naltrexone – This medication helps to block the effects of opioids, alcohol, and other substances from affecting the brain.

Suboxone and Vivitrol are two brand-name medications that use these compounds. The type of medication that’s prescribed and the dose will depend on the individual’s needs.

How Medication-Assisted Treatment Fits Into Recovery

It’s important to note that medication-assisted treatment is not a stand-alone approach to recovery. In order for it to be effective, it must be used in conjunction with other evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups. These therapies provide an opportunity for individuals to recognize the underlying causes of their addiction, develop healthy coping skills, and work on building a foundation for long-term recovery.

Breaking Down the Stigma of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with medication-assisted treatment for addiction. Many people think that taking medications to recover from an addiction means that you’re not really in recovery. This couldn’t be further from the truth—MAT is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to substance use disorder treatment. It provides relief from withdrawal symptoms so that individuals can focus on the other aspects of their recovery.

In addition to MAT, many patients also find relief in alternative therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, and mindfulness meditation. These additional treatments can help to reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide a sense of calm during the early days of recovery. By combining multiple approaches to treatment—including medications—patients can build a stronger foundation for recovery and gain the skills they need to stay committed to sobriety.

The Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Some of the benefits of medication-assisted treatment include:

Reduced cravings – The medications used in this level of care function as either opioid agonists, which act in place of opioids, or opioid antagonists, which block the effects of opioids. Opioid agonists are not considered to be addictive and can help reduce the cravings that normally trigger relapse.
Fewer withdrawal symptoms – Medication-assisted recovery helps patients manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction, such as sweating, nausea, anxiety and depression.
Increased ability to focus on recovery – With fewer cravings and fewer withdrawal symptoms, patients can focus on their recovery plan and building a foundation for long-term sobriety.
Improved physical and mental well-being – Withdrawal symptoms can take a toll on both a patient’s physical and mental health. Medication-assisted treatment can help reduce the intensity of these symptoms and help promote better overall health.

MAT should be combined with treatment for any co-occurring mental health concerns, as well as counseling that involves loved ones. This multifaceted approach to recovery can help people gain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage triggers, cravings, and other relapse risks.

Discover the Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we understand the complexities of addiction and provide comprehensive treatment plans that include medication-assisted treatment. Our experienced team of medical professionals, therapists, and counselors is committed to helping you find the path to lasting recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us at 833.448.0127 or reach out to our team online today to get started.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Posted on March 1, 2023August 26, 2024 by cmarnew

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an approach to addiction treatment that involves the use of FDA-approved medications to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. These medications aren’t meant to treat addiction alone but work best in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. Medication-assisted treatment can help to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and decrease the overall severity of opioid and alcohol use disorder symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment can help individuals regain control of their life, reduce potential harm from using drugs or alcohol, and ultimately help them reach sobriety.

This therapeutic approach can be especially helpful for those who have struggled to achieve sobriety through an abstinence-based program. If you’re ready to begin treatment that could change your life, reach out to CMAR at 833.448.0127 today.

Medications Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment

There are several medications that have been approved to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. These medications can be used in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies for an effective treatment approach.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid medication that is commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. This medication helps to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and ease withdrawal symptoms. It works by binding to certain opioid receptors in the brain, producing a milder effect than other opioids. While some medications contain only buprenorphine, others contain a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, such as Suboxone.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist that works in the brain to prevent the effects of illicit or prescribed opiates. When taken, a person may no longer have the desire to use opiates. Unlike other types of MAT, naltrexone can also be used in helping a person who is in recovery from alcohol addiction.

Naloxone

In some cases, people return to using opioids even after entering treatment. In that event, they may try to use the same level of opioids as they did before treatment, which can lead to overdose and possible death. Those who are taking naloxone, however, will be less likely to suffer an overdose due to the drug’s opioid-blocking effects. Naloxone is available in both injection and nasal spray forms and is most often used by first responders or family members in the event of an opioid overdose.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

One of the most common misconceptions about MAT is that a patient is transferring their addiction from substance to another. However, this is not the case. Doctors prescribe MAT as a short-term solution, not a replacement for opioids. This approach can actually make it easier for those in recovery to focus on long-term goals such as maintaining employment or finding stable housing. Additionally, MAT can help to reduce the risk of relapse and decrease symptoms related to opioid or alcohol use disorder.

Benefits of MAT include:

Reduced cravings – Since addiction medications can help reduce cravings, they can make it easier to focus on recovery goals.
Increased safety – By providing relief from withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings, it is less likely that individuals will turn to harmful substances.
Increased stability – Medication-assisted treatment can provide patients with the stability that they need to focus on their recovery and make lasting lifestyle changes.
Decreased risk of overdose – By providing opioid-blocking effects, naloxone can help to prevent overdoses in those who relapse.
Increased retention in treatment programs – MAT has been shown to increase the chances of staying in treatment programs, which can lead to better recovery outcomes.

When you first start your treatment for addiction, a specialist will assess your addiction and any co-occurring disorders you may have. From there, they can decide if you need MAT and what type is best for you. Treatment can begin as early as detox and continue through rehab. The goal of MAT is to help you stay sober and provide you with the resources and support needed to maintain a successful recovery.

Breaking the Stigma Surrounding MAT

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with medication-assisted treatment. Many people do not understand the purpose of using medications to treat addiction and assume that a person is simply replacing one addiction with another. Fortunately, more and more people are beginning to see the value in MAT as an effective treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorder.

It is important to remember that MAT is just one part of a comprehensive treatment program. When used in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, MAT can be a powerful tool in helping individuals manage their addiction and find lasting sobriety.

Learn More About Medication-Assisted Treatment at CMAR

Learn more about MAT at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. We offer medication-assisted treatment as a part of our addiction treatment therapies in Colorado. Contact us at 833.448.0127 or reach out online to get started.

How Can Medication-Assisted Treatment Help You?

Posted on January 3, 2023 by cmarnew

Detox can be the most challenging stage of recovery to complete. During detox, you may experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms, as well as cravings that make detox tough to get through. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help you reduce your cravings and withdrawal symptoms, giving you a fighting chance to complete detox and move forward into rehab.

Addiction treatment centers in Colorado use MAT in combination with other forms of treatment such as emergency medical care, 24/7 supervision, and a fully licensed medical staff to ensure that you recover safely without relapsing. MAT can also be instrumental in helping you overcome your cravings during the rehab stage of your recovery. To find out more about MAT, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 today.

Learn More About Medication-Assisted Treatment

What is MAT? It is the use of medication combined with other forms of treatment. In most cases, it gives you more control over your recovery by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Some forms of medication can reverse the effects of drugs such as opioids, preventing life-threatening overdoses and other side effects.

Although MAT is not a primary form of treatment, it can lighten rehab’s burden by making you more comfortable, normalizing your brain chemistry, and blocking the euphoric effects of certain drugs. Best of all, most medications that we use are non-addictive. So, you do not have to worry about transferring your addiction from one drug to another.

One of the reasons why MAT is so effective is because it treats addiction as a chronic disorder. The goal is to manage your symptoms and cravings over an extended period of time, making it easier for you to focus on other therapeutic methods and build a lasting foundation for your recovery. As you work through the underlying causes of your addiction, you become more likely to maintain your recovery in the future.

What MAT Programs Are Available for Treatment?

There are several different medication types on the market today, many of them approved by the FDA for addiction treatment. Some of the most common medications include:

Naloxone – Used to reverse the effects of opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl
Naltrexone – Blocks opioid receptors, preventing the euphoric effect of opioids
Methadone – Used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Buprenorphine – Used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Disulfiram – Used to create an unpleasant reaction when combined with alcohol

Acamprosate – Used to reduce cravings for alcohol

Each of these medications is used for different reasons and can address the effects of different drugs. When used correctly, they are highly effective in helping you overcome your addiction.

4 Benefits of MAT in Addiction Treatment

There are a number of ways that medication-assisted treatment at an addiction treatment center can help you, including:

Overdose Survival

When you overdose on opioids, your breathing will slow down or stop. This symptom can cause multiple health problems or fatalities. Although opioid addiction treatment centers provide a full medical staff, medications such as naloxone can reduce the effects of opioids and stop overdose. It can be a life-saving medication for many of those struggling with addiction.

Better Recovery Rates

One of the biggest struggles you may face in a substance abuse treatment program deals with your cravings. MATs are highly effective in curbing your cravings and blocking the effects of opioids and other drugs. In essence, they clear the path of recovery, giving you a better chance of completing your program without relapse.

A Decrease in Criminal Activity

People who use drugs are more likely to commit crimes to continue their addiction. Getting arrested and facing penalties does not always deter users from looking for more drugs. MAT programs are effective in reducing illicit drug use and related crimes. It can help someone who must complete a mandatory addiction treatment program after being charged with drug possession or distribution.

Higher Employment Rates

If your drug habit keeps you from getting and keeping a job, medication-assisted treatment can help. MAT programs help you practice more self-control. As a result, you show up to work on time, get your work done, and perform consistently. You don’t have to worry about losing another job.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Available at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we want to help you overcome your addiction to drugs or alcohol. Our medication-assisted treatment program is able to promote a lasting recovery without addiction. Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 to get started with your treatment program today.

Finding a Reliable MAT Program in Thornton, Colorado

Posted on November 25, 2021 by cmarnew

Addiction is a serious disease that affects millions of Americans every year. The withdrawal symptoms that addiction creates can cause serious pain and lead to relapsing with a higher risk of overdosing. Medication-assisted therapy or MAT in Thornton, Colorado, can help reduce the painful withdrawal symptoms and allow you to focus on your addiction recovery. If you seek medication-assisted treatment in Thornton, Colorado, visit Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for your addiction treatment with MAT.

Our MAT program coincides with other treatment programs to give you the best chance at lifelong recovery. Our medical staff will monitor your progress and update your medication accordingly. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our medication-assisted treatment program.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is useful in treating addiction with FDA-approved drugs that counteract the euphoric feelings of opioids and reduce all or some of the painful side effects of withdrawal. MAT will coincide with other therapy programs that will help you better understand your addiction and how it can take over your life.

Your addiction treatment therapy may include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Individual and group therapy
Family counseling
Psychodynamic therapy
EMDR therapy

FDA-Approved Drugs Used in MAT

Since some of these drugs are partial or full opiate antagonists, there is a chance of abuse. MAT is closely monitored by medical personnel while you complete your addiction therapy programs. Some medications used include:

Buprenorphine: This is a partial opioid agonist used in treating opioid addiction and can help reduce pain common with addiction withdrawal. It is safe to take over an extended period when you follow the prescription. It is very effective in addiction treatment with improved recovery rates and better treatment retention.
Suboxone: A combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone, this medication cancels out the euphoric effects of opioids and effectively reduces pain from withdrawals. With no more cravings for the drug, you can focus on your recovery with a clearer head.
Lucemyra: A new drug that reduces painful withdrawal symptoms but does not eliminate them like Buprenorphine or Naloxone because it is not an opioid. Therefore there is zero risk of addiction.
Naltrexone: Naltrexone binds with the opioid receptors in the brain and blocks the euphoric feelings that opioids and other drugs create, eliminating your cravings. It is also beneficial in helping reduce cravings for alcohol.
Naloxone: This is an opioid antagonist that can reverse an opioid overdose. You can take it as an injection or use NARCAN®, a nasal spray for suspected opioid overdoses.

The shame of drug and alcohol addiction still keeps many people from seeking help. Addiction is a mental health illness that is difficult to get through if you don’t understand what is driving your addiction and how to effectively stop your triggers and craving and allow you to regain control of your life.

Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for Your MAT in Thornton, Colorado

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we understand the hardship addiction withdrawal can cause and want to help you with your road to sobriety. When you first arrive at our facility, you will be evaluated by our medical staff and therapists to determine your level of addiction and your individual needs to build an effective treatment program that includes MAT in Thornton, Colorado. We can help you will all kinds of addiction, including:

Opioid addiction
Percocet addiction
Heroin addiction
OxyContin addiction
Alcohol addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with their addiction and are ready to make a positive change in their lives, call us today at 833.448.0127 to learn more about our medication-assisted treatment and how it can help you get control of your life back.

Does Buprenorphine Create a Psychological Dependency?

Posted on October 30, 2021 by cmarnew

Addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioids is not easy to break without medical help. A successful addiction treatment program will include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) along with behavioral therapy that can help reduce your cravings and allow you to focus on your recovery. One medication that can help during this process is buprenorphine. If you’re beginning a treatment program, you might have questions about this medication.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our medical staff will prescribe buprenorphine if it is determined during your evaluation that you can benefit from this medication to help with your recovery. Call 833.448.0127 today to learn how buprenorphine treatment can help you on the road to recovery.

Can You Develop a Dependency on Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid, and there is a potential for misuse. If someone without an opioid addiction takes buprenorphine, this can lead to them trying a full opioid once the limiting pleasurable effects of buprenorphine are no longer enough to give them the escape they are seeking.

If someone with an opioid addiction begins a buprenorphine treatment program through medication-assisted treatment and they follow the prescription precisely, there is minimal risk of forming a dependency on buprenorphine. Even when abusing buprenorphine, the side effects of opioid addiction will be less than if they are abusing a full agonist opioid, such as Methadone. Some of the side effects you may feel include:

Dizziness
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Insomnia
Trouble concentrating

Despite the low risk of dependency, buprenorphine is still one of the top choices for medication-assisted treatment programs and has a high success rate when combined with behavioral therapy.

How Is Buprenorphine Useful in Treating Opioid Addiction?

The Federal Drug Administration has approved several drugs for reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that can ease painful withdrawal symptoms.

Buprenorphine attaches itself to the mu-opioid and kappa receptors in your brain that are responsible for the pleasurable effects that opioids can produce. It will block other opioids like morphine and heroin from creating an intense high and allow you to reduce your cravings and need for the drug over time. Buprenorphine treatment is one of the most successful partial agonists due to:

Low abuse rate
Lower levels of psychological dependence
Higher dosages do not increase euphoric feelings

A buprenorphine MAT program will closely monitor buprenorphine intake to ensure patients are not attempting to abuse the drug. If this happens, because buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, its limiting effect will prevent the fatal respiratory depression common in overdoses.

Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for Buprenorphine and Behavioral Therapy

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction uses buprenorphine along with other FDA-approved drugs like naltrexone, which blocks the pleasurable effects of opioids and alcohol. The combination of these drugs will give you the best chances for success in your addiction recovery.

During your initial evaluation, our medical staff and behavioral therapists will determine the best course of treatment based on your individual needs. Alongside your buprenorphine treatment, you will participate in behavioral therapy that will help you find the root cause behind your addiction. Behavioral therapy programs may include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Group and individual therapy
Family counseling

We believe in a whole-person approach to your recovery. As you progress, we will continue to update your buprenorphine treatment program as you start forming positive coping skills instead of reaching for your substance of choice. If you or someone you know is thinking about buprenorphine to help with their opioid addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with one of our supportive therapists about the risk of buprenorphine dependency and how this medication can benefit your opioid addiction recovery.

3 Benefits of a Vivitrol Treatment Program

Posted on September 11, 2021 by cmarnew

To help stop the frequent number of relapses in addiction treatment, Vivitrol and other FDA-approved drugs can help with addiction recovery by easing withdrawal symptoms and cravings so patients can focus on their recovery. A Vivitrol treatment program is a monthly injection that stops the pleasurable effects of alcohol, heroin, and other drugs with zero chance of addiction or withdrawal once you stop taking Vivitrol.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we use medication-assisted therapy (MAT) to help reduce craving and withdrawal symptoms so you can concentrate on your recovery and reduce the chances of relapse down the road. If you or someone you love needs the help of a Vivitrol treatment program, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with one of our friendly staff and learn more about the benefits of a Vivitrol treatment program.

What Is Vivitrol?

Vivitrol is the brand name for a class of drugs that are useful in treating drug and alcohol addiction. It is a once-a-month injectable extended-release drug that can allow patients to concentrate on their recovery.

Naltrexone, the active ingredient in Vivitrol, is not an opioid agonist like buprenorphine or methadone. You can stop taking Vivitrol without any withdrawal symptoms and zero risks of addiction. Instead of activating the mu-opioid receptors in the brain, naltrexone blocks the receptors, preventing the euphoric feelings and reducing your craving for the drug.

Once your body stops waiting for the external substance to release endorphins and other natural chemicals, your body will slowly begin to produce these chemicals on its own. Using Vivitrol has proven to be highly effective in helping patients with their addiction treatment with fewer relapse occurrences.

Three Benefits of a Vivitrol Treatment Program

Using Vivitrol with an outpatient treatment program that involves behavior and group therapy gives you a better chance at maintaining your sobriety throughout your life.

1. Vivitrol Is Long-Lasting

Vivitrol is one of the longer-lasting MAT drugs approved to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. A single dose can last for 30 days and is administered by a medical professional. As you progress through your Vivitrol treatment program, your therapists will continue to update your program to provide you with the best care possible, leading to abstinence.

2. Zero Risk of Addiction

Vivitrol is a non-narcotic with no chances of addiction or withdrawal symptoms. Patients may feel some side effects, which include:

Headache
Fatigue
Nausea
Depression and anxiety
Joint or muscle pain

Compared to the side effects of withdrawal, patients can concentrate on their recovery and get control of their life back.

3. Lower Risk of Relapse

Studies have shown that Vivitrol is very effective in treating drug addiction with fewer chances of relapse when the patient is dedicated to their recovery and follows their addiction treatment program.

The goal of a Vivitrol treatment program is complete abstinence. While no treatment program can guarantee complete abstinence, you have a better chance at staying sober when combining Vivitrol with an outpatient program and a supportive and sober home environment to continue your therapy.

Learn More About MAT for Your Addiction Treatment

When you come into Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for your addiction recovery, we will evaluate your condition and provide you with the best treatment options based on your individual needs. Through our Vivitrol treatment program, our medical staff will handle your medication while you begin working on changing your life for the better.

Your therapy will include programs that will help you get to the root of your addiction through behavioral and holistic therapy:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Individual and group therapy
Neurofeedback therapy
Family therapy
Case management
Peer support

If you or someone you love is ready to commit to their recovery, call 833.448.0127 or complete our online form today to learn more about our Vivitrol treatment program for your addiction treatment.

Breaking the Stigma Associated with MAT

Posted on August 31, 2021 by cmarnew

A medication-assisted treatment program can help patients suffering from addiction withdrawal symptoms to begin the road to recovery. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapy are the one-two punch needed for an effective recovery program for addiction treatment for opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our medication-assisted treatment programs will help your recovery with our outpatient and telehealth services. Call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about how you or a loved one can break free from the stigma associated with MAT and receive the help you need to get on the road to recovery.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment programs use specific FDA-approved drugs to help individuals who are going through withdrawal or who are working to reach a place of stability. The medications counteract some of the impact drugs or alcohol has on the body by:

Normalizing brain chemistry
Stopping the pleasurable effects of these substances
Reducing physiological cravings
Relieving withdrawal symptoms

There are different drugs available to treat different types of withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction can have harmful effects on your body, including liver damage, increased risk of cancer, and shrinkage of the frontal lobe. Acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone help with alcohol addiction and abuse and allow patients to continue their daily lives while working through addiction treatment. They help take the cravings away and reduce severe withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid Addiction

Drugs like heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are all opioids that can have debilitating side effects when abused. The medications used in a medication-assisted treatment program help counteract the side effects and can be taken for several months during treatment without any harmful side effects. These drugs include:

Buprenorphine
Methadone
Naltrexone

Opioid Overdose

If an opioid overdose occurs, naloxone can immediately counter the severe effects of an overdose, including death. Having a naloxone injection nearby can give you the time needed for medical attention to arrive.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we understand the trepidation you may feel about enrolling in a medication-assisted treatment program. Our compassionate therapists will answer any questions about MAT programs and how they can assist you or a loved one in their addiction recovery.

How Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Can Benefit Your Recovery

To enroll in a medication-assisted treatment program, you must also go through behavioral therapy to get to the original cause of your addiction and help you develop the tools needed to help you along in your recovery.

Behavioral therapy teaches you to change negative habits and stop the triggers that make you crave your substance of choice. Along with MAT, each patient will have a custom-made behavioral treatment program to help them with their recovery.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Family therapy
Individual and group therapy
Psychodynamic therapy

Medication-assisted treatment helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms as you work to discover the reasons behind your addiction. Studies have shown that when you do not treat the physical and mental issues that are associated with addiction at the same time, your chances of a relapse increase.

Break the Stigma at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At CMAR, our addiction treatment programs include medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy to give you the best chances of recovery. Why let the stigma of medication-assisted treatment keep you from getting the help you need in your addiction treatment when it is the best option for treating addiction? Addiction is a disease that requires treatment, just like any physical illness.

Our addiction treatment programs take a “whole-person” approach in dealing with addiction treatment. We ensure that our patients feel safe and welcome as we work with them on the road to recovery. Call 833.448.0127 today and verify your insurance to learn more about how a medication-assisted treatment program can help you get control of your life.

How Naloxone Can Save Lives During Overdose

Posted on July 19, 2021 by cmarnew

Opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of most overdose cases in the U.S. A naloxone treatment is the best way to stop the effects of the overdose. The fast-acting naloxone treatment can be administered through injection or nasal spray (NARCAN®) when medical assistance isn’t around.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are available to assist you with your naloxone treatment and prepare you for a potential overdose. If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, please call 833.448.0127 to speak with a therapist to learn more about how naloxone for overdoses is an effective treatment.

How Does Naloxone Help Someone Who Is Overdosing?

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. When injected, the naloxone binds with the opioid receptors and blocks the effects of the opioids. It can restore normal breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and stop the pleasurable effects that can lead to addiction. The effects are nearly instantaneous and can help the patient survive until medical assistance arrives.

You may experience some side effects after your naloxone treatment, which are relatively mild, including:

Injection site soreness
Sweating
Hot flashes

Some people can experience more severe side effects with an opioid overdose that may include:

Hallucinations
Seizures
Loss of consciousness

Naloxone treatments can last up to 60–90 minutes and are designed as a temporary fix to give you time to seek medical treatment.

Why Should You Be Prepared for an Opioid Overdose?

Opioid addiction can happen to anyone. These drugs are highly addictive and can easily lead to physical dependence. The majority of opioid overdoses occur in men and women between 45 and 49 and follow a doctor’s prescription.

Here are some of the more common reasons for an opioid overdose:

Incorrect dosage due to multiple prescriptions/doctors
Patients recovering from medical surgery after an overdose
Chronic pain relief
Former opioid detox patients with a high risk of relapse
Previous users with lower tolerances

If you care for someone taking opioids for pain relief or other reasons, it is wise to have naloxone nearby.

How to Recognize Signs of an Overdose Before It’s Too Late

Opioid abuse is so high because of the intoxicating and pleasurable effects that opioids provide. Someone can think if they double or triple their prescription, they will feel that much better. It is crucial to follow the prescription exactly, or you may begin to feel some of the following precursors to an overdose:

Intoxication
Slurred speech
Mental confusion
Drowsy or trouble staying awake even in loud environments

If someone you love is at this stage, keep a close eye on them to see if the symptoms worsen. Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates breathing, and you may think someone is just sleeping it off when they are struggling to breathe or have stopped altogether. As the overdose worsens, so do the symptoms such as:

Pale and clammy skin
Fingernails and lips turn blue
Unable to wake even when shook or pressed down on the chest
Pupils are tiny and do not react
Shallow breathing and heartbeat

Give them a naloxone treatment and call 911 immediately if the symptoms have progressed and you cannot revive them. Even after receiving a naloxone treatment, they can still be in danger depending on the severity of the opioid overdose.

Learn More About Naloxone Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

If you or someone you know is currently prescribed an opioid medication and has a history of addiction, be prepared for an accidental opioid overdose by understanding how naloxone can help save a life.

We will make sure you understand your naloxone treatment and answer all of your questions about opioid overdose. Call 833.448.0127 today to talk with one of our therapists about using naloxone for overdoses.