Addiction Therapies Archives - Page 5 of 5 - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

What Kinds of Therapy Are Good for Addiction?

Posted on September 19, 2021 by cmarnew

Addiction affects each person differently as it is both a mental health issue and a social one. Peer pressure pushes many of us to smoke or drink well before the legal age, and our society seems to find this acceptable. Addiction therapy programs are available to help you regain control of your life when addiction has taken over. But which program is right for you?

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our addiction therapy programs will help you break free from addiction through individual and group therapy programs that will teach you how to recognize your triggers and develop positive coping skills to help you stay on your sober path. Call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our caring team members and learn more about our beneficial addiction therapy programs.

Finding the Right Addiction Therapy Programs for You

Addiction is a mental and physical health issue that affects the mind by changing the brain chemistry so that it requires the substance of choice to maintain functionality. When you try to quit, your body starts going into withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can be as minor as a headache and a slight craving to as severe as uncontrollable shivering, muscle pain, vomiting, and much more that will not cease until you satisfy that craving.

Effective addiction treatment therapies will focus on the physical and mental aspects of addiction to help you get a better understanding of your addiction.

Behavior Therapy

The best way to understand addiction is by better understanding your actions and what led to the start of your addiction, and how your thinking patterns and thought processes are affected.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT helps you recognize your negative thoughts and develop new thinking patterns and positive coping skills to maintain your sobriety.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – DBT focuses more on the harmful effects of addiction like suicide and self-harm. DBT can help you accept your negative feelings and begin to change the way you perceive these feelings, and develop positive coping skills.
Neurofeedback therapy – This therapy directly affects the brainwaves and tries to normalize them through positive stimulation. Addiction changes your brain chemistry and thought processes, and neurofeedback therapy is very effective in treating addiction.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our certified therapists use these and other forms of behavioral therapy in our addiction treatment therapies to give you a better chance at maintaining your sobriety.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Drugs and alcohol have a physical effect on your brain. The substance you are taking changes your brain chemistry so that it stops producing naturally occurring endorphins that are responsible for your happiness, motor functions, and much more. When you stop, even for a few hours, your body can start craving the substance and will go into withdrawal until satiated.

These withdrawal symptoms can be very debilitating and may include:

Nausea and vomiting
Shivering
Mood swings
Painful muscle cramps
Poor sleep
Hot flashes
Suicidal thoughts

When withdrawal symptoms get in the way of your recovery, medication-assisted therapy can help. These are FDA-approved drugs that can limit painful symptoms, stop your cravings, and reduce the pleasurable effects of your substance of choice.

Benefits of an Addiction Therapy Program

When you begin an addiction therapy program at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, you will soon feel all of the amazing benefits of your addiction recovery, such as:

A growing sober network that you can rely on
A better understanding of yourself and your addiction
Fewer emotional outbursts
A better outlook on life
A growing number of healthy coping skills
Better control of your triggers and craving
A new sober life

Learn More About Addiction Treatment Therapies at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

When you are ready to get serious about your addiction recovery, or if you know someone who can benefit from our addiction therapy programs, call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. Don’t waste any more time suffering needlessly. Call 833.448.0127 today.

Peer Support Can Hold You Accountable to Your Recovery

Posted on July 23, 2021 by cmarnew

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

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

Why Does Peer Support for Recovery Work so Well?

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

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

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

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

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

Peer Support Can Keep You Accountable During Your Recovery

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

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

Benefits of Peer Support

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

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

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

Get Involved to Help Others With Their Addiction Recovery

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

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

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

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

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

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.

How Community Activities Can Boost Recovery

Posted on July 6, 2021 by cmarnew

For those in recovery from addiction, finding new healthy hobbies should be a priority. Addiction can cause physical and mental health issues that different activities can help participants recover from. Additionally, addiction can be isolating. Those who are struggling with substance abuse can benefit from connecting with others in recovery in a safe, supportive environment. This is why many addiction treatment centers offer recreational outings and community activities. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, community activities are a way for our patients to connect with others and enjoy all that Colorado has to offer.

The Importance of Community in Recovery

We offer community activities for the same reason that we offer group therapy. Addiction thrives in isolation. When you have the support of others who understand the experiences you’ve been through, it’s easier to focus on your recovery.

Other benefits of having a network of support in recovery include:

Perspective – You’ll be able to see your struggles in a new light
Accountability – Knowing that you’ll be sharing your experiences with others can keep you from relapsing
New habits – Your peers in recovery can introduce you to new healthy habits
Encouragement – Challenges in recovery are inevitable, but your peers will be able to cheer you on

Don’t overlook the purpose of group therapy and activities that involve others. Instead, lean into the experiences and find out what they can teach you.

Community Activities at CMAR

Many outpatient addiction treatment centers only offer therapy and medication management. However, Colorado Medication Assisted Treatment recognizes that clinical services alone will not help patients heal in body, mind, and spirit. Meaningful social connection and support, however, is a defining element of sustainable recovery. That’s why our recovery center offers opportunities for our patients and alumni to develop a network of support. Recovery groups are one way that those in recovery can get to know each other, as well as alumni events. However, we’re also building more opportunities for recreational activities into our treatment programs.

Hikes with Mike is our newest recurring outing. Clinical director Michael Damioli leads an outing once a month on a weekend into the beautiful Colorado outdoors. During these excursions, the CMAR community can have a chance to connect outside of the clinical setting. Social connections, fresh air, and physical activity are just some of the reasons why we offer these outings.

As we grow our offerings, we’ll continue to involve our alumni. Even after you’ve completed a formal treatment program, maintaining your connections with others in recovery is vital. To prevent relapse, avoid isolating yourself. Instead, stay connected with our treatment center through events, activities, and recovery groups.

CMAR’s Addiction Treatment Programs

We offer high-quality addiction treatment that fits your schedule. With both remote and in-person options, you’ll be able to participate in treatment while keeping up with responsibilities at work and at home. Medication-assisted treatment is highly effective in helping patients focus on working through the underlying cause of addiction without experiencing cravings.

Additionally, we offer dual diagnosis treatment in our Colorado addiction treatment center. Many of those who struggle with addiction also face co-occurring mental health issues, and this approach allows patients to work through both issues simultaneously. Through both individual and group therapy sessions, patients can discover how things like past trauma, a family history of addiction, and even stress from work can make it more difficult to break the cycle of addiction.

Learn more about our programs today. We invite you to connect with our team by calling 833.448.0127 or by reaching out online. If community activities, evidence-based therapies, and the highest quality in clinical care are what you’re looking for, then CMAR can help.

CBT Program in Colorado

Posted on June 30, 2021 by cmarnew

Many people who struggle with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues like depression or anxiety can benefit from a cognitive-behavioral therapy program (CBT). This type of therapy has helped many get back to living healthy and productive lives. The stigma of needing therapy is long gone as millions in the US suffer from stress and anxiety, leading to more severe problems like depression and suicide.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer CBT programs to help you get back on your feet and build healthy coping skills for sustainable recovery. Our certified therapists will work with you to get to the root cause of your addiction and help you stop turning to drugs and alcohol. When you are ready to help yourself or a loved one with their addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment with proven results in helping patients deal with a wide range of behavioral issues. These include:

Depression
Anxiety
Substance abuse
Eating disorders
Marital troubles
Social anxiety

If someone is suffering from addiction, it is from an underlying issue and not simply because they want to drink or smoke. The temporary high is a big draw for those looking for an escape. Therapy programs that treat physical addiction often fail because they only treat one side of the addiction.

Benefits of CBT

Through a combination of individual therapy and group sessions, your therapist will work you through finding that first moment that started your addiction by looking at what drove you to this coping device. You might have experienced trauma in the past or might have turned to drugs and alcohol to feel relief from mental health conditions.

When you begin a cognitive-behavioral therapy program and begin dealing with what is driving your addiction, you will start feeling many positive benefits. These include:

New coping mechanisms
A calmer self
Improved communications skills
Improved mental clarity
New supportive friends that you can count on

The goal of any CBT program is to help you find ways to deal with triggers in a healthy way. These coping skills are helpful tools that you will use throughout your life.

Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Right for You?

Finding the right therapy program can be difficult if you don’t know the underlying issue. You try to quit on your own, only to fail a few days or even months later, sometimes with challenging results as a relapse tends to try and make up for lost time. Your tolerance levels have dropped, but you still think you can handle as much as you once did.

Other treatment centers only focus on the addiction itself and isolate you from your regular life, but don’t do anything to find the root cause of the issue. Their method is to treat the addiction, then send you off to treat the underlying reason for the addiction. This type of single-sided treatment often leads to a half-baked approach to your therapy.

A cognitive-behavioral therapy program will treat both the physical side of addiction and the mental side.

Finding the Right Therapy Program at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

When you are ready to help yourself, a friend, spouse, or family member with their addiction, Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is available to assist in your recovery. With specialized programs that deal with addiction and mental illness, we can get you healthy and back to a productive life with a cognitive toolkit that will be a powerful shield against the outside world.

We offer telehealth options for those who are unable or uncomfortable leaving their homes, as well as in-person and outpatient programs. If you or someone you care about is suffering from addiction and mental illness, please call 833.448.0127 today and speak with a supportive therapist.