[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Think about a moment in your life that you wanted to bask in. You found a sense of peace, joy, or harmony that you wanted to fully take in and appreciate. Perhaps it was catching up and laughing with an old friend, perhaps it was feeling the warm sun shining down on your skin as you sat on a tropical beach, or perhaps it was the excitement you felt in your team winning the big game. When we encounter these moments, there is a natural tendency to want them to last. We want to appreciate what is happening for us here and now, while also doing what we can to hold onto these wonderful feelings. However, what happens when unpleasant feelings arise?
When feelings of anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and stress show up, we have a natural tendency in the opposite direction. We want to make them go away as they may feel unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unbearable. We want more of the “good” feelings and less of the “bad” ones. Makes sense, right? I mean, who in their right mind wants to feel anxious?
While there are a variety of things we can do to avoid these unpleasant feelings, a particularly common one resides in alcohol and drug use. The use of alcohol and other drugs triggers chemical reactions in our brains that numb unpleasant feelings and boost the pleasurable ones, thus, producing a sense of relief. However, this sense of relief is only temporary. Like all things, it does not last.
The substance wears off, the chemical reaction subsides, and those unpleasant feelings reappear. Well, what happens when these feelings come back? When that sense of helplessness or powerlessness sets in again? You might think about how drinking alcohol or using drugs had previously made those feelings go away and think, ‘Hey, that worked last time! Why not do it again?’ This makes sense. Humans are excellent learners. When we encounter challenges, we look for solutions. In this case, alcohol and drug use seems like an effective solution to this discomfort. When we regularly rely on use to navigate these feelings, we cross into addiction.
With time and repeated use, our brain chemistry changes such that our drug of choice may feel like the only escape from unpleasant feelings. However, as I had mentioned before, the unpleasant feelings will always return. They are unavoidable. However, as we continue using to avoid said feelings, we wander further away from our ambitions, integrity, and sense of purpose. As we do this, the feelings of anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and stress grow. What initially seemed like a sound solution, turns out to have been a misplaced solution.
By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Detox is the critical first step in the journey toward recovery from addiction. For individuals struggling with substance use, understanding what to expect during the detox process can ease fears, clarify expectations, and provide the confidence needed to seek help. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR) offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach to detox that prioritizes safety, comfort, and long-term healing.
Understanding the Purpose of Detox
The purpose of detox is to safely and effectively remove harmful substances from the body, allowing individuals to begin healing both physically and mentally. It serves as a vital first step in the recovery journey, paving the way for further treatment and long-term sobriety by addressing the immediate challenges of withdrawal.
What Is Detox?
Detoxification, or “detox,” is the process of clearing drugs or alcohol from the body. It allows the brain and body to begin adjusting to life without substances while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. Detox is not a cure for addiction but a necessary foundation for long-term recovery.
The Role of Detox in Addiction Treatment
Detox is the first clinical step in a comprehensive addiction treatment plan. Without detox, lingering physical dependency can interfere with behavioral therapy and counseling. By medically managing withdrawal, individuals are more likely to remain in treatment and succeed in recovery.
Common Substances That Require Detoxification
Different substances affect the brain and body in unique ways, and each requires a tailored detox approach. At CMAR, we offer specialized detox services for:
Alcohol: The risk of seizures, tremors, and hallucinations makes medical supervision critical.
Opioids: Withdrawal can include intense cravings, nausea, muscle pain, and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines: Abrupt discontinuation can cause dangerous symptoms such as seizures and panic attacks.
Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine): Detox may include emotional instability, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
The Phases of the Detox Process
Detox isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. At CMAR, we follow a structured and supportive path through three key phases:
Evaluation
During the evaluation phase, medical professionals assess substance use history, physical health, and any co-occurring mental health conditions. This helps create a personalized detox plan, including recommendations for medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Stabilization
This is the core of the detox process. Patients receive clinical supervision, medications (if needed), and emotional support to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. CMAR uses FDA-approved medications like Suboxone® when appropriate to minimize discomfort and prevent complications.
Preparation for Ongoing Treatment
Detox is just the beginning. Before completing detox, our team helps patients transition into the next level of care—such as outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), or other services—ensuring continued support.
What to Expect Physically and Emotionally
Going into detox, it’s important to expect a mix of physical and emotional challenges as your body begins to adjust to life without substances. Patients often experience withdrawal symptoms that can vary in intensity, but rest assured, you will be under medical supervision to help manage any discomfort and provide necessary support throughout the process. Remember that this is a crucial step toward reclaiming your health and well-being.
Physical Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms vary by substance but may include:
Sweating, nausea, and vomiting
Muscle aches and tremors
Sleep disturbances
Headaches and fatigue
These symptoms can be uncomfortable but are manageable with medical support.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
Detox often triggers emotional fluctuations, including:
Depression and anxiety
Mood swings
Intense cravings
Feelings of fear or hopelessness
At CMAR, our clinicians are trained to provide physical and emotional support throughout the detox experience.
Access to licensed medical and behavioral health professionals
Trauma-informed care in a supportive outpatient setting
We aim to reduce the risks of complications while enhancing comfort and dignity during detox.
How Long Does Detox Take?
The length of detox varies based on:
Type of substance
Duration and frequency of use
Individual health status
Co-occurring mental health conditions
Most detox processes last 3 to 10 days, though some individuals may require more time. At CMAR, we tailor every detox plan to the individual for optimal safety and success.
Preparing for Detox: What You Should Know
Before beginning detox, it’s helpful to be prepared:
What to Bring: Valid ID, comfortable clothing, and essential personal items
Mental Preparation: Expect discomfort, but remember it is temporary
Communication with Loved Ones: Support from family can be a critical part of the process
Understanding Aftercare: Know that detox is just the beginning of your recovery journey
Next Steps After Detox
Detox alone is not enough to sustain long-term sobriety. CMAR ensures a smooth transition to continued care, including:
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Trauma-informed therapy and counseling
Peer support and recovery coaching
Our goal is to provide a full continuum of care that empowers each patient beyond detox.
Holistic, personalized care tailored to your needs
Integrated MAT and mental health support
Licensed, compassionate professionals
Convenient outpatient services in a supportive and discreet setting
We help individuals detox with dignity—and prepare them for long-term recovery with the right tools and treatment.
Get Help Today
At CMAR, we understand how challenging the journey to recovery can be for you or your loved ones. If you’re facing struggles with addiction, remember that detox is the crucial first step towards healing. We’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. Contact us for a confidential consultation today—your path to a healthier future starts here. Call us today or contact us now to get started!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hi there,
My name is Jonathan Fricke. I am a 4th year doctoral student studying clinical psychology at the University of Denver. Over the last several years, I have trained at community mental health clinics, a university counseling center, a hospital emergency department, and private practice settings, among others. Although I am relatively early on in my career, I began to notice some common themes come up in my clinical work across these varied settings. Those being: 1) clients experiencing challenges in relating to others (i.e. social anxiety, loneliness) and 2) the prevalence of both prescription and non-prescription substance use. Given these observations, I sought additional training in substance use treatment through didactic coursework in my graduate program and through clinical training at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (an intensive outpatient (IOP) and outpatient (OP) treatment facility in Thornton, Colorado). In this series of blog posts, I will be sharing what I have come to learn about both the etiology and treatment of addiction, as well as current events related to addiction and recovery.
Well, it seems like a reasonable place to start is with the question…
WHAT IS ADDICTION, TECHNICALLY SPEAKING?
The term addiction seems to be thrown around rather casually in much of our day-to-day lives. You might overhear a friend talking about their addiction to scrolling through TikTok, or perhaps a colleague that makes a comment about their addiction to the chocolate donuts at the bakery down the block. Are these seemingly flippant comments related to actual addictions?
Typically, addiction is associated with drugs and alcohol but may also include problematic behaviors related to food, exercise, sex, video games, and gambling, among others. Thus, scrolling TikTok or eating those chocolate donuts may qualify as addictions. However, we must first get a better understanding of what your friend’s and colleague’s relationships to TikTok and chocolate donuts, respectively, looks like. To get a better understanding, it is helpful to consult the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V). Note: the DSM-V is the gold standard when it comes to diagnosing addiction and use disorders.
The DSM-V criteria for addiction falls into four overarching categories.
Impaired Control
Social Problems
Risky Use
Physical Dependence
Within these four categories, the symptoms of addiction include:
Using more of a substance or more often than intended
Wanting to cut down or stop using but not being able to
Devoting significant time to obtaining, using, and recovering from use
Strong desire to use
Use resulting in neglected responsibilities at work, school, or home
Use resulting in social and interpersonal issues
Giving up activities they used to care about because of their substance use
Using in risky settings
Continued use despite known problems
Needing more of the substance to get the same effect
Having withdrawal symptoms when a substance isn’t used
According to the DSM-V, the presence of between two and five of these symptoms qualifies as a mild to moderate substance use disorder, whereas the presence of six or more of these symptoms qualifies as a severe substance use disorder (i.e. addiction).
So, does your friend have an addiction to scrolling TikTok? Does your colleague have an addiction to the chocolate donuts down the block? Do you wonder if you may have an addiction to something? Whether it meets full criteria or not, my hope is that by reflecting on the aforementioned DSM-V criteria, we may become more aware of some of our own addictive tendencies.
By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][dt_fancy_separator][vc_empty_space height=”15″][vc_column_text]References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
