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The Stages of Addiction Recovery

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

Addiction recovery is not a simple process, but one that occurs over a period of time through several steps. To achieve sobriety, a person needs to recognize where they are right now, gaining an awareness of what’s happening to them. They may need to work through detox before receiving comprehensive treatment, aftercare, and relapse prevention. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers a thorough process to guide individuals through the various stages of addiction recovery, ultimately leading to the most favorable long-term results. If you need help finding addiction treatment programs near you, call us at 833.448.0127, and one of our team members can help you or a loved one.

Understanding the Complexity of Addiction

While addiction can occur quickly, the damage it does to the brain is significant. It takes time for the brain to relearn and heal. A component of that is physical healing, but the other part is recognizing the challenges of recovery, gaining awareness, and creating a plan to manage the psychological damage that’s occurred. There are several steps or stages a person will go through during the addiction recovery process to achieve these goals.

Precontemplation

During this stage, a person doesn’t recognize there’s a problem and is unlikely to have experienced any type of negative outcome yet. The substance use feels good. In this phase, people often experience one or several of the following:

They don’t recognize a problem
They don’t have any desire to change
They don’t want to be told what to do, and that keeps them using the substance
They are overwhelmed by their habits, and that’s made it feel impossible to change
The person believes they know the answers as to why substance abuse isn’t a factor for them

Contemplation

At this stage, a person comes to an awareness of the problem, though they have not made a decision to change. They may want it to change but cannot make the commitment to do so. However, they are more likely to want to learn about their options at this stage. This stage can last for years before a person decides to change.

Preparation

At this stage, often, something has changed. They are ready to take action to achieve sobriety. This is where addiction recovery begins to become more real. Many will reach out for help with an assessment at this point.

Action

This is the stage where something happens—they enroll in a detox program or move into a residential treatment program. They engage in some way with treatment for their addiction. They learn the tools and strategies necessary to cope with stress, deal with addiction, and maintain sobriety.

Maintenance

During maintenance, a person continues to receive care, but it is in the form of aftercare. They are working to maintain their sobriety, but this is also where relapse risk is the strongest.

Termination

In this area of recovery, the individual can maintain their sobriety without continual fear of relapse. This is the goal of addiction recovery—to not be weighed down by the addiction itself.

Why Is It Important to Understand Addiction Recovery Stages?

Understanding the stages of addiction recovery is crucial for several reasons:

Setting expectations – Knowing what to expect at each stage of recovery can help individuals and their loved ones prepare mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead. It helps one understand that recovery is a process, not an event.
Guiding treatment plans – Understanding these stages allows healthcare professionals to develop and adjust treatment plans according to the individual’s progress. Each stage requires different interventions and supports, so knowing where a person is in their recovery can guide the treatment approach.
Providing appropriate support – For families and friends, understanding these stages can help them provide the right kind of support when it’s needed most. Each stage presents unique challenges, and being aware of these can help loved ones offer meaningful assistance.
Promoting patience and compassion – Understanding that recovery is a process involving various stages can foster patience and compassion, both for the individual in recovery and those supporting them. This understanding underscores the fact that setbacks are part of the journey, not failure.

To effectively and compassionately manage the addiction recovery process and promote a sustainable recovery journey, it is important to have an understanding of the stages of addiction recovery. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide the guidance and support needed to navigate them successfully.

How Addiction Recovery Programs Can Help

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers support for those who are ready to start on the recovery path to achieve long-lasting sobriety. Addiction recovery takes time—for some months or more years. However, our team can offer help and guidance with a range of treatment programs, including:

If you’re looking for addiction treatment programs near you or a loved one, our team can help. We offer discreet and compassionate care, personalized to meet the needs of each individual we work with.

Get the Help You Need at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Understanding the stages of addiction recovery is a key part of addiction treatment. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, addiction recovery starts with a call to our team. Let us help you with each stage of the process, including awareness, detox, and achieving sobriety. With programs such as aftercare and relapse prevention, it is possible to overcome these challenges with our comprehensive programs. Start now by calling 833.448.0127 or connecting with us online.

Opposite of Addiction

Posted on May 9, 2022 by cmarnew

THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION:

What is the opposite of addiction? If you posed this question to a random group of people, I would venture a guess that the vast majority would say that the opposite of addiction is sobriety. In other words, as long as you are abstaining from drug use, you are the opposite of addicted. I would argue that this stance is short-sighted and only partially true.

In addiction recovery, there is a common phenomenon referred to as “white knuckling.” “White knuckling” is when someone is not drinking or using their drug of choice by sheer willpower. They make a conscious decision to no longer drink or use drugs, which often leads to preventative measures like throwing out all the booze or drugs they have stashed around their home or deleting their drug dealer’s number from their phone. Although these are important behavioral strategies to employ in recovery, it is an incomplete take on recovery. As “white knuckling” suggests, the addict is clamping down, barely holding on to their own sobriety. To truly engage in the recovery process, the individual must delve deeper. They must examine underlying emotional components that lead them to use. One common driver of use across the board is loneliness.

So, let’s return to the question at hand, what is the opposite of addiction? Well, writer Johann Hari argues that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection. That’s not to say that sobriety is not important to recovery, it absolutely is. But importantly, so is connection.

In his TedTalk, Hari references a study conducted with lab rats that offers compelling evidence for this conclusion. In one trial, a researcher placed a single rat in a sterile cage with two bottles. One bottle had water in it, and the other had water infused with drugs. Unsurprisingly, the rat chose the bottle with the drugs and became addicted.

In a second trial, the researcher placed rats in a cage called “Rat Park.” This cage had both the water bottle and drug-infused bottle, as well as plenty of food, wheels for exercise, toys, and other rats to socialize and have sex with. This time, however, none of the rats chose the drug-infused bottle. None became addicted. Drawing on these results, the researchers concluded that positive social connection was the single most important predictor in whether someone will struggle with and recover from addiction.

Examining recovery programs, such as AA, NA, or CA twelve-step programs, it is no surprise that there is so much emphasis on group programming. Interpersonal connection is an essential human need, and these types of programs offer connection with other individuals in recovery. So, in your own recovery process, it is important to focus on sobriety, but also imperative that you focus on building a positive network of social support. How can we work to build our own version of “Rat Park?”

By Jonathan Fricke, MA

Step 5 in the 12-Step Process

Posted on March 23, 2022 by cmarnew

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

I want you to think of a time that you kept something secret. Maybe it was a bigger secret, such as an affair or a time that you hurt someone, or maybe it was a smaller secret, such as a time that you were embarrassed. Whatever the case is, I want you to remember that secret. I want you to think about what drove you to keep this thing under wraps. I want you to reflect on how doing so impacted you. Really, take a moment to reflect before reading on.

Often times, we keep secrets in efforts to protect our egos. We think that if others were to know what it is we have done, they would see us as the person that we so desperately fear becoming. For example, if a partner were to find out about an affair, we fear they will see us as untrustworthy. If a friend were to find out about how we spoke ill of them behind their back, we fear they will see us as a bad person. Or, if a parent were to find out about our struggles with substance use, we fear they will see us as flawed. Therefore, we may elect to keep actions, feelings, and thoughts to ourselves in hopes that others will not see us in the same negative light we fear seeing ourselves in.

Makes sense, right? I mean, if we can hold onto our secrets, thus preventing others from knowing us fully, what is the problem?

Well, unfortunately secrets come with a toll. A toll that tethers irritability, anxiety, remorse, and depression, among others, to our lives. When we hide our wrongdoings from the world, we decide that we will carry the burden alone. We keep others away and place ourselves on an island where no one can get to us; we isolate. When we isolate, we do not even give others the chance to respond to our secrets. We cut off any possibility for compassion or love before we even have the opportunity to receive it. We cement in ourselves the very wretched feelings that we had hoped to avoid. For the addict, the toll means continued substance use or relapse.

Fortunately, there is another path to take. This is the path of connection, admission, and confession to another. Instead of putting ourselves on the island of isolation, we draw upon our moral inventory to share our secrets and wrongdoings with a trusted individual, whether that be a sponsor, friend, or therapist. In doing so, we share ourselves. We allow ourselves to be seen and understood. We open up the doors for compassion and love to enter. Often, we then begin to experience ourselves differently. Not as flawed creatures, but as a human beings.

Although this path is not a cakewalk, it is essential. It is perhaps the most important part of recovery.

By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Step 3 in the 12-Step Process

Posted on February 14, 2022 by cmarnew

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

In the first two steps of the twelve-step program, we are asked to reflect on our own lives. In step one, we are asked to reflect on our powerlessness and the unmanageability in our lives. In step two, we are asked to reflect on what our higher power looks like; what we believe in. In step three, however, we shift from a stance of reflection to a stance of action. Step three is all about pushing away from our self-will and welcoming in a sense of willingness.

So, what does self-will and willingness mean? Self-will is all about stubbornness. It is about doing what an individual wants without regard for the wishes of others. It is a belief that you are right and will argue with anyone who disagrees. It is about a desire for independence, control, and is typically rooted in egotism. On the other hand, willingness is all about readiness and flexibility. It is rooted in trust outside the self.

Before continuing, I feel it is important to address the religious influence in step three with the use of the word “God.” As I had previously mentioned in my discussion of step two, twelve-step programs are not inherently religious and there is no requirement that the individual practice religion or believe in God. Rather, the important piece of step three is the last part, “…as we understood Him.” This piece reminds us that it is not about God, but about whatever the individual has identified as their higher power. Perhaps that higher power resides in nature, science, or the twelve-step program itself. In this step, the individual is asked to loosen their grip on the desire to control their lives and instead places faith, trust, and hope in their higher power. It is about aligning the will of the individual with their higher power. In this step the individual begins to experience serenity.

Step three also introduces a component of the twelve-step program that countless individuals have found monumental to their recovery: the Serenity Prayer.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done.

The Serenity Prayer introduces a key concept that extends far beyond recovery and has useful applications across life. In it, we examine and recognize the limits of our control. The prayer highlights the notion that there are some things we can control and some things we cannot. For example, we cannot control the behaviors of others but do have control over how we react to any given situation. When we attempt to control something that is uncontrollable, we are often left feeling angry or dejected when things don’t go our way. The Serenity Prayer encourages us to ask ourselves, ‘Is this situation something worth getting upset over or is it out of my control?’

By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Step 1 in the 12-Step Process

Posted on February 7, 2022 by cmarnew

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STEP ONE
“We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable.”

What does the word ‘powerless’ mean to you? What images or feelings does it conjure up? In my experience, it often brings about associations of weakness, inadequacy, and incapability. For those of us familiar with Greek mythology, perhaps you think of Sisyphus’ powerlessness in his eternal struggle of pushing the boulder up the hill, only for it to roll down every time that he approached the top of the hill. He was a prisoner to this task and, as such, the ensuing feelings of weakness, inadequacy, and incapability that came with it. That is exactly why Zeus punished Sisyphus with this hopeless task. Well, what if Sisyphus had realized and accepted his own powerlessness in this task? What if he accepted the hopelessness in getting the boulder to the top of the hill? How might that have changed things for him?

In step one of the twelve-step program, we are asked to admit a powerlessness over our substance or behavior, recognizing that our lives are currently ungovernable. Given the aforementioned associations to ‘powerlessness’, it is entirely understandable to respond to this step with resistance. Perhaps we think we can simply work harder to control our use. Or perhaps we deny the extent to which the substance or behavior influences our lives. (How many times have you said or heard the phrase: “I could stop my use if I really wanted to”?)

When we feel powerless, there is a natural and instinctual drive to tighten our grip, clamp down, and attempt to secure power and control. However, step one contends that, paradoxically, there is a certain power in admitting our powerlessness; that we are granted a hope in admitting our hopelessness. In recognizing our inability to control our use, we actually form a solid bedrock and foundation for working towards happy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives. In recognizing and accepting our own limitations, only then do we enable ourselves to look beyond our own beliefs. Only then do we open our minds to different ways of thinking. Only then are we truly willing to listen. Only then are we truly willing to try something different. Only then are we truly willing to change.

By Jonathan Fricke, MA[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Misplaced Solution

Posted on January 24, 2022 by cmarnew

[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]

What is Addiction?

Posted on January 24, 2022 by cmarnew

[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]

3 Mocktail Ideas for a Sober Holiday Gathering

Posted on December 20, 2021 by cmarnew

Whether you are just coming out of recovery or have years of sobriety under your belt, the holidays can be a difficult time to stay sober. The holidays mean office and family holiday parties and get-togethers with friends with plenty of alcohol wherever you go. To help you maintain your sobriety, there are plenty of mocktail ideas that make for a tasty drink without alcohol. These ideas will help with your alcohol rehab for a sober holiday.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we want you to have a fun holiday season while maintaining your sobriety. Our alcohol addiction rehab can help you build healthy coping skills for getting through the holidays without relapsing. Call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our friendly staff about our alcohol addiction rehab and mocktail ideas for delicious non-alcoholic holiday drinks if you need tips for having a sober holiday.

Getting Ready for a Sober Holiday

A lot of patients’ first sober holiday can be the most difficult. The first time heading to a holiday party fresh out of recovery can cause a lot of stress for some as they want to enjoy themselves yet remain sober. As you prepare for the holidays, you can take some simple steps to give yourself the confidence you need to enjoy the party and maintain your sobriety.

Refresh your coping skills with therapy sessions through an outpatient program
Talk to your sponsor before heading to a party
Bring a sober friend
Have a plan to leave if your cravings become too much to handle.
Host your own sober gathering

If you are at a holiday party and feel your cravings are beginning to take over, it is OK to leave before your ruin all of the hard work you’ve put toward your sobriety. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer online rehab and outpatient addiction treatment programs to help you have a sober holiday.

3 Mocktails Ideas for Sober Holiday Parties

Peer pressure to drink is one of the main driving factors in alcohol addiction, and the simple act of having a glass in your hand can be enough to curb some of your desires to drink. You want to fit in with everyone and not be the only one not drinking.

Here are three mocktail ideas that you can mix and enjoy for your sober holiday party.

1. Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy

This traditional holiday drink is warm and soothing.

7 oz hot black tea
1 tablespoon sugar-free honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 lemon wedge

Pour honey, lemon juice, and spices into your favorite mug. Top it off with the hot tea, stir, and garnish with the lemon wedge. This recipe is for 1 mocktail.

2. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

Pomegranate is a flavorful fruit with many health benefits and makes for a tasty mocktail idea.

2 ½ cups seltzer water
2 cups pomegranate juice
1 lemon twist

Combine pomegranate juice and seltzer in a large punch bowl and mix well. Pour over ice and garnish with a lemon twist. This recipe serves 4.

3. Grapefruit Mock-Mosa

Mimosa’s are a favorite festive drink that everyone will enjoy.

¾ cup orange juice
½ cup grapefruit juice
¼ cup lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar-free honey
1 12-ounce bottle chilled sparkling water
Orange, lime, or grapefruit twist for garnish

Combine orange juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and honey. Stir until the honey dissolves. Cover and chill for a minimum of two hours so all of the flavors can blend. Pour the juice into four glasses, then stir in sparkling water. This recipe serves four.

Garnish with your choice of citrus peel.

Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for the Best Alcohol Addiction Rehab for You

Our alcohol addiction rehab program at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can help you have a sober holiday with helpful tips and mocktail ideas for your sober gatherings. Our online and outpatient treatment programs can help you when you need it, with evening and weekend therapy available. If you need continuing support to help you stay sober during the holidays, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our alcohol addiction rehab.

Can I Still Receive Telehealth Addiction Treatment?

Posted on October 19, 2021 by cmarnew

You lead a busy life and have responsibilities that prevent you from taking time off to work on overcoming addiction. Telehealth addiction treatment offers remote help via video conferencing, texting, and telephone calls that allow you to work on your addiction recovery while keeping up with your responsibilities at home and work.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our telehealth addiction treatment program is perfect for busy professionals and working students who would like help with addiction treatment from home. You will have access to all behavioral therapies and other programs that you would receive from an inpatient treatment program. If you would like more information on our telehealth addiction treatment programs, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our telehealth services and other addiction treatment options.

Telehealth Rehab Programs for At-Home Addiction Recovery

A telehealth rehab program will give you access to all treatment services and programs for those who cannot make it to a treatment center due to work or home commitments or if there is not an adequate treatment center near them. Many rural residents cannot commute daily and miss out on vital therapy sessions to help them stay on track with their recovery.

This type of addiction treatment program is for those who want to work on their recovery and can still maintain their work and home life without any interruption. These individuals are committed to developing the healthy coping skills they need to maintain their sobriety. In addition, they want flexibility and the ability to take care of responsibilities outside of treatment.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we use the latest technologies to enable you to connect to your therapists and support staff from your home or office. Some of the tools that we use include:

Web-based tools
Smartphone applications
Texting
Video conferencing
Telephone services

Our goal is to help as many Colorado residents access treatment as possible through our in-person and telehealth addiction treatment programs. We can help you with your addiction to prescription pills, alcohol, or heroin.

Telehealth Programs to Help Continue Addiction Recovery

Telehealth services are also available for those who wish to continue their addiction recovery beyond an inpatient addiction recovery program. After successfully completing an inpatient addiction treatment program, a telehealth program allows you to continue receiving the support you want from treatment specialists, peer support, and specialized care that can help with your recovery the most.

Through the telehealth program, you will still receive the care you need from behavioral therapy programs like cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy that help you discover the reason behind your addiction and give you the skills you need to maintain your sobriety.

You will receive instant remote access to your therapists when you need to talk to someone as well as motivational texts and instant messages during the day to help keep you motivated. Many patients find our Colorado telehealth program helps them the most when they feel a relapse is imminent.

Reach Out to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Today

Addiction is a mental health issue that requires a holistic approach to effectively reduce cravings and create healthy habits for dealing with stressful situations and addiction triggers. Through our telehealth addiction treatment program, you will get the support you need to stop your cravings and prevent future relapses. Plus, the additional support will keep you motivated to stay on your sober path.

If you or a loved one can benefit from our telehealth rehab program or wish to continue their addiction recovery after completing a residential treatment program, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our telehealth rehab program and how it can benefit your road to recovery.

September Is National Recovery Month

Posted on September 1, 2021 by cmarnew

National Recovery Month happens every September to help raise awareness of mental health and substance use disorders that millions of people face every year. The stigma of mental health and addiction has led many people to hide their disorder and needlessly suffer through it alone. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we proudly celebrate National Recovery Month to help raise awareness about mental health and substance use disorders in Colorado.

If you would like to learn more about National Recovery Month and how you can help spread awareness to those around you, or if a friend of yours is struggling with addiction or depression, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about our addiction recovery programs and how they are changing lives.

Observing National Recovery Month Every Year

In 1989, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created the National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues and substance use disorders and celebrate those who recover.

Awareness is just as important as celebrating our residents’ successes to reinforce the positive actions that behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can create. It helps to show that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover when they put in the effort to work on their recovery.

Every September, prevention and treatment centers from all over the country proudly celebrate National Recovery Month to shine the light on how vital treatment and recovery centers are in helping the millions of people struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders every day.

Through our recovery programs at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we help anyone ready to get back control of their life. Our support and medical staff will work with each patient and find the right programs and services that will help them in their recovery, including:

Individual and group therapy
Medication-assisted treatment
Behavioral and mental health services
Recovery support services
Family and patient education services

Patients will receive a full psychiatric assessment when they start their recovery program. Their progress will be closely monitored and updated as needed to ensure they receive the best recovery treatment for their substance use or mental health disorder.

A Spotlight on Addiction Recovery

This year, the National Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is for everyone: Every person, every family, every community.”

The goal is to show that substance abuse and mental health disorders are a national health crisis affecting everyone regardless of age, sex, or skin color. Programs such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, contingency management, and motivational interviewing are all very effective in addiction recovery by changing thought processes and developing positive coping skills to help stop cravings and self-destructive behaviors.

National Addiction Professionals Day

On September 20, as part of National Recovery Month, this day recognizes and celebrates the hard-working addiction professionals that dedicate themselves to your recovery and love it when their patients walk away happy and sober. If you know any addiction professionals, show them your appreciation on this day and every day after for all of their hard work.

Recovery Programs in Colorado with Your Needs in Mind

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and is ready to make real changes in their lives, Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery has the right programs and services that can help with substance use and mental health disorders.

Our medication-assisted therapy program can help with all forms of substance abuse, including alcohol, meth, and prescription pain medication. Our MAT program coincides with addiction treatment therapies such as:

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

We also can help with mental health disorders with our trauma-informed care and depression treatment programs.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or mental health disorders, please call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our caring staff about how we can help. And don’t forget to thank them for their dedication during National Recovery Month.