opiate addiction Archives - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Where to Get Help for Opiate Addiction in Thornton

Posted on August 29, 2023August 26, 2024 by cmarnew

Addiction to opiates has become an epidemic all over the country, and Colorado is not immune to this crisis. Individuals, families, and communities across the state are struggling with the dangerous effects of opiate addiction. While opiates can be effective for treating chronic pain, they carry a high potential for misuse and abuse. Opiate and opioid addiction can cause serious physical and psychological problems, so it is essential to seek help as soon as you become addicted or suspect that your loved one has an opiate problem. Opiate help is available, and it might be closer than you think.

For opiate addiction treatment in Thornton, CO, Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery has the expertise and services you need. Through individualized treatment plans and evidence-based therapies, you’ll build a foundation for lasting, sustainable recovery. Call 833.448.0127 today to begin your journey.

Why Colorado Residents Need Effective Opiate Addiction Treatment

Colorado has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of people struggling with opiate addiction. In 2011, the age-adjusted rate of opiate overdoses was 8.0 per 100,000 people, and in 2021, that number rose to 21.7 per 100,000 people.¹ It’s clear that opiate addiction is a serious problem that requires effective treatment and care.

Without help, individuals addicted to opiates will continue to suffer from the physical and psychological effects of their addiction. In addition, they’ll be at risk for dangerous health problems, such as liver failure, seizures, respiratory depression, overdose, HIV/AIDS due to sharing needles, and other life-threatening complications.

Finding an Opiate Addiction Treatment Program That Meets Your Needs

When selecting an opiate addiction treatment program, it is crucial to choose one that aligns with your needs. A good treatment program should provide the following:

Medically-assisted detoxification – Ambulatory detoxification allows for the removal of opiates from your system in a safe and comfortable setting.
Therapies – Evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provide individuals with tools to address and overcome their addiction.
Individualized treatment plans – Treatment plans should be tailored to the individual and should focus on long-term recovery.
Relapse prevention – A relapse prevention plan teaches individuals strategies to avoid a return to drug use.
Case management and aftercare – This includes assistance with employment, housing, and other services post-treatment.

Your experience with opiate addiction treatment should be individualized, supportive, and effective. Finding a program that provides all of the services mentioned above is key to a successful recovery.

Benefits of Opiate Addiction Treatment

Opiate addiction treatment offers many benefits. First, it helps individuals recover from addiction and regain control of their lives. Treatment helps reduce the risk of overdosing and other related health issues. Additionally, it helps improve mental health by reducing depression, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms that can manifest during addiction. Finally, opiate addiction treatment can help mend broken relationships with loved ones, family members, and friends.

Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Today for Opiate Addiction Treatment in Thornton, CO

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery takes a comprehensive approach to opiate addiction. Our experienced and compassionate team uses evidence-based therapies, individualized treatment plans, medically-assisted detoxification services, relapse prevention tools, and aftercare strategies to help individuals achieve lasting sobriety.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an opiate addiction in Thornton, CO, don’t wait any longer to get help. Contact us today at 833.448.0127 or reach out to our team online to learn more about our opiate addiction treatment program and start your journey toward recovery. Together we can create a new life of sustained sobriety and improved mental health. Take the first step and call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today.

Source:

1. KFF – Mental Health in Colorado

Finding the Right Help for Opiate Addiction

Posted on February 20, 2023August 26, 2024 by cmarnew

Opiates are highly addictive, meaning that those who use them need increasing amounts over time to achieve the same effect. Many people originally take opiates like codeine or morphine because their doctor prescribed them to help manage serious pain. Unfortunately, opiates’ addictive nature poses many risks. Even those who had no intention of using opiates beyond their original prescription often end up doing so because the drug is so habit-forming.

If you’d like to learn more about getting help for opiate addiction near you, call 833.448.0127 or reach out online to talk to a staff member at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. We specialize in precisely the type of treatment that’s considered the safest and most effective for opiate recovery.

What Are Opiates and What Makes Them Habit-Forming?

Opiates are a class of drug that occurs in nature, originally derived from the poppy plant. They’re very similar to opioids, which are semisynthetic or synthetic opiates. Opiates’ basic medicinal function is to treat pain or cause sleep. All contain opium or are derived from it. Opiates commonly used both legally and illegally include:

Heroin
Morphine
Codeine

Used in large doses or for an extended period, opiates produce a potent high. This is due to their ability to replace natural brain chemicals, neurotransmitters, which are linked to feelings of pleasure, reward, and habit formation. Unlike neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, however, opiate action creates abnormal messaging throughout the nervous system.

They also make it difficult to feel the same amount of stimulation from pleasurable non-drug-related activities. These activities, which include eating, socializing, and sex, previously represented peak experiences. This feature, in particular, contributes to opiates’ habit-forming nature. Long term, opiates also disrupt natural mood-regulating neurotransmitter production and function. This can lead to symptoms like depression and anxiety when a person stops using the opiate.

Features of Treatment Programs Providing Opiate Addiction Help

Getting professional help is the most reliable way to support opiate addiction recovery and long-term success in sobriety. A treatment program typically begins with medication-assisted detox. This means you or your loved one will receive medication to manage the more challenging withdrawal symptoms. Among these side effects are nausea, temperature fluctuations, vomiting, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal issues, and flu-like symptoms. Your doctor will assess your unique treatment needs, monitor your responses to medications, and adjust as needed. Medications like suboxone or buprenorphine can greatly increase your comfort during withdrawal.

Other key features of opiate treatment include:

Talk therapy administered one-on-one – Cognitive-behavioral therapy is especially useful since it focuses on reframing negative thoughts. It also helps patients identify and manage their triggers.
Dual diagnosis – When appropriate, a dual diagnosis may be given during treatment. This means that providers have identified an underlying mental illness like depression or bipolar disorder in your substance abuse behavior. Providers then work to treat the mental health concern at the same time that they facilitate addiction recovery.
Group therapy – Working with a peer group of others in recovery can help in many ways. It greatly increases patients’ sense of community, accountability, and ongoing support.
Family therapy – This form of treatment involves patients’ loved ones in the healing journey. It allows families to repair damaged relationships and build a strong support system for long-term sobriety.

Learn More About Opiate Addiction Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

If you or your loved one is coping with addiction to opiates, remember you’re not alone. While opiates’ synthetic forms, opioids, get more attention in the news, opiate addiction remains common and gravely serious. The good news is that treatment can be highly effective. Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 or reach out to us online to begin the healing journey today.

3 Signs of Opiate Addiction

Posted on October 25, 2022 by cmarnew

Opiates are a type of natural pain medication derived from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. Opiates include natural opioids such as morphine, heroin, and codeine. These substances have a high rate of abuse and addiction. Knowing what opiate addiction signs point to a serious addiction can help save a friend or loved one. Enrolling in opiate addiction treatment can give men and women the support they need to reach their recovery goals with fewer risks of relapse.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we work with individuals from all over Colorado who are struggling with an addiction to opiates and other harmful substances. Our team of behavioral therapists and medical staff work together to create a comprehensive treatment program to address the physical and mental aspects of addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction, call 833.448.0127 for more information about our opiate addiction treatment program.

Recognizing Opiate Addiction

Opiates are very effective in treating acute or short-term pain from a car accident or sports injury. It is a strong pain medication that has a high rate of abuse for its euphoric effects. When taken as prescribed, opiate pain medication is safe, and patients can minimize the risk of dependence or addiction by not taking more than prescribed and working with their doctor to taper off the medication.

Patients who double up on their prescription or continue to take opiates for longer than prescribed are putting themselves at risk of forming a serious addiction. If they stop taking opiates suddenly, they will experience withdrawals and cravings that can be hard to resist. Those who try to quit without support are more likely to relapse and potentially overdose if they take the same amount or more after abstaining for several days.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we work with people who are struggling with opiate addiction and ready to make a real change in their lives. We work closely with each patient to treat their symptoms and develop healthy coping skills for managing their symptoms and triggers.

3 Opiate Addiction Signs That Point to Addiction

Opiate addiction is a treatable illness through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication to minimize withdrawals and cravings for more opiates. If you are concerned that a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction, here are three signs of opiate addiction to look for:

Physical signs – Addiction causes several physical symptoms that include muscle pain, stomach cramps, fatigue, constipation, and seizures. Opiate abuse slows your breathing down and can cause hypoxia, where the brain does not get enough oxygen.
Behavioral signs – Those who abuse opiates will often run out of their prescriptions before the refill date or have multiple prescriptions from different doctors. They may withdraw from friends and family and turn to crime or violence to get more opiates.
Other signs of opiate addiction – Serious cases of opiate addiction can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and memory problems and can potentially lead to death by overdose or suicide.

There are several other opiate addiction signs that point to opiate addiction. If a friend is abusing opiates, talk to them about the dangers of addiction and your concerns for their health and well-being.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: Safe and Effective Opiate Addiction Treatment

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we support people from all walks of life who are struggling with addiction to opiates, alcohol, or other substances. We offer outpatient treatment programs where patients will receive medication to minimize their withdrawals and craving while participating in various behavioral therapies.

We offer a full range of programs to treat opiate addiction, including:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Group and individual therapy
Family therapy
Medication-assisted treatment
Case management
Neurofeedback therapy

For more information about our opiate addiction treatment programs, call 833.448.0127 or send us a message online today, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

How Naltrexone Is Used to Treat Opiate Addiction

Posted on April 10, 2021 by cmarnew

The way that opioids interact with the brain makes opiate addiction difficult to overcome. It used to be that the main approach to helping people with opioid addiction was to have them go through withdrawal before receiving therapy and other forms of treatment. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) takes a different approach. Clients receive medication that alleviates withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids and other substances. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery uses naltrexone as part of the MAT treatment offered at our facility.

What Is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug cleared for treating individuals with an opioid or alcohol addiction as part of MAT. It’s available in both a pill and injectable form and can be prescribed by those licensed to give out prescriptions to clients. Unlike other medications often provided through MAT, naltrexone is not an opioid.

Because it’s not an opioid, there’s a much lower risk of clients developing an addiction to naltrexone. You also don’t experience side effects if you decide to discontinue its use. Naltrexone itself can’t help a client overcome an addiction. It’s often used in conjunction with other elements of a client’s treatment plan like dialectical-behavior therapy and dialectal behavior therapy.

How Can Naltrexone Help with Addiction?

People turn to drugs and alcohol because of the feeling of euphoria or relaxation they produce. Opioids specifically bind with opioid receptors in the brain responsible for producing feelings of pleasure. Once your brain starts associating your opioid use with those emotions, you end up with a dependency that can eventually turn into an addiction. Alcohol can have a similar effect on various parts of your nervous system.

Naltrexone blocks the effects produced by drugs and alcohol by keeping the substances from binding with your opioid receptors. That means you don’t experience the highs from opioids or sedated feelings that come with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Naltrexone also reduces cravings and helps with opiate withdrawal, which can help you get through a treatment program and achieve recovery.

Your system must be completely clear of any toxins associated with drug or alcohol abuse before you start taking naltrexone. Clients should steer clear of using other illegal drugs or drinking while receiving the drug as part of MAT.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking Naltrexone?

Some clients do experience certain side effects from naltrexone treatment, including:

Diarrhea
Nervousness
Headaches
Vomiting
Stomach troubles
Muscle pain
Sleep issues
Fatigue

Make sure you inform your doctor about any adverse effects of naltrexone treatment. They can adjust your dosage or change you to a different medication. You should only take naltrexone as part of MAT and alongside other programs that provide you with the psychological and social support necessary to overcome your substance use disorder.

Naltrexone treatment can reduce your tolerance for opioids or other substances. Discontinuing your use of naltrexone can leave you more vulnerable to a potential overdose because you overestimate what your system can handle.

Receive Medication-Assisted Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

While naltrexone treatment can make it easier for you to get through a recovery program, it’s not a cure-all for addiction. You must still put in the effort needed to face the underlying issues driving your addiction. Our team of specialists sticks with you every step of the way as you learn to live a life free of substance abuse.

Other programs and services available at our recovery center include:

It’s not too late to change the direction of your life. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery gives clients the chance to overcome addiction and restore their health. Start your new journey today by calling us at 833.448.0127.

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

Posted on July 10, 2020 by cmarnew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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