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How Many Days Does It Take to Detox Your Body?

Detoxing your body from substances like alcohol and drugs can be a complex, individualized process that varies significantly from person to person.

For those considering detox in Denver, the question of how many days it takes to detox your body is often at the forefront.

Detox can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the substance, duration, and intensity of use, as well as individual factors like health conditions and age.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR) in Denver, our approach to detox focuses on safety, medical supervision, and personalized care, ensuring that each person’s journey to sobriety begins with a strong foundation.

What Is Detox?

Detox is the process of removing harmful substances from the body. During detox, patients often experience withdrawal symptoms as their bodies adjust to functioning without drugs or alcohol. While detox is a critical first step, it doesn’t address the behavioral, psychological, or social aspects of addiction.

At CMAR, we recognize detox as part of a comprehensive recovery plan that includes ongoing therapy and support to foster long-term sobriety.

What Is Detox

Factors That Influence Detox Duration

Each individual’s detox timeline varies due to a combination of unique factors. At CMAR, we consider the following when assessing detox needs:

  • Substance Type: Different substances take different amounts of time to leave the body. For example, alcohol detox is often shorter than detox for benzodiazepines, which can last weeks.
  • Severity and Duration of Use: Long-term, heavy users generally require more time to detox.
  • Frequency and Dosage: Higher doses taken frequently can extend the detox timeline.
  • Health Conditions, Age, and Gender: Medical conditions, age, and biological factors can all influence the pace of detox and the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Detox Timelines for Common Substances

The detox process and duration depend on the substance involved. Here’s an overview of common detox timelines for substances CMAR treats in Denver.

  • Alcohol: Detox from alcohol can take 3-7 days. Withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and tremors typically peak within the first 72 hours. Severe cases may involve prolonged withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, mood swings, and insomnia.
  • Opioids (Heroin, Prescription Painkillers): Opioid detox takes between 7-10 days. Short-acting opioids, like heroin, may bring intense withdrawal symptoms that peak within the first 3-5 days, while longer-acting opioids, such as methadone, may require extended monitoring and medical support.
  • Benzodiazepines: Detox from benzodiazepines can span several weeks, particularly for individuals who have used them long-term. Withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, restlessness, and sleep disturbances, often peak around days 5-7 but may persist or recur, requiring careful medical supervision.
  • Stimulants (Cocaine, Methamphetamine): Stimulant detox is generally shorter, lasting about 3-7 days, though intense cravings and fatigue may persist for weeks. Individuals may also experience symptoms of depression and mood swings during the first few weeks after stopping use.
  • Marijuana: Although withdrawal from marijuana may be milder than other substances, it can still include symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and appetite changes, typically lasting 7-14 days.

Why Professional Detox Is Essential

Detoxing without professional medical support can be dangerous, especially for individuals with severe addictions or underlying health conditions. At CMAR our professional detox programs provide a safe environment where patients receive round-the-clock support and access to FDA-approved medications that ease withdrawal symptoms.

This medically-assisted approach not only makes the detox process more comfortable but also reduces the risk of relapse by addressing both physical and psychological symptoms.

CMAR’s Approach to Detox in Denver

At CMAR, we prioritize an evidence-based approach to detox that combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT), personalized counseling, and a continuum of care to support patients through every stage of recovery. Here’s what sets CMAR’s detox programs apart:

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): For patients struggling with intense withdrawal symptoms, we offer MAT options, including Suboxone, Vivitrol, and Antabuse, to alleviate discomfort and manage cravings effectively.
  • Individualized Treatment Plans: Each patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to develop a detox plan tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
  • Ongoing Support and Therapy: Detox is just the beginning of the recovery process. At CMAR, we offer outpatient programs, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), that help patients transition smoothly from detox to long-term recovery.
CMAR’s Approach to Detox in Denver

What to Expect During CMAR’s Detox Process

CMAR’s detox process in Denver is structured to ensure patient safety, comfort, and support. Here’s what patients can expect:

  1. Initial Assessment: The detox journey begins with an in-depth assessment, where medical professionals evaluate the patient’s physical and mental health, substance use history, and any underlying conditions that may affect the detox timeline.
  2. Medical Supervision: Throughout detox, patients receive continuous monitoring from CMAR’s dedicated team to manage withdrawal symptoms and adjust treatment as needed. Medications may be administered to help alleviate symptoms and reduce cravings.
  3. Therapeutic Support: In addition to medical care, patients have access to counseling and peer support groups to address emotional challenges and build resilience during the early days of recovery.
  4. Transition to Recovery: After detox, patients are encouraged to participate in CMAR’s outpatient programs to continue their recovery journey, gaining valuable tools and resources to achieve lasting sobriety.

Aftercare: What Comes After Detox?

Completing detox is a significant milestone, but it’s only the first step in overcoming addiction. At CMAR in Denver, we believe in a holistic approach to recovery that includes outpatient therapy, counseling, and long-term support.

Patients can choose from a variety of treatment options, including individual and family therapy, group sessions, and trauma-informed care to address the root causes of addiction and build a fulfilling life in recovery.

Conclusion

The journey to sobriety begins with detox, but it’s essential to approach this process safely and with professional support. We offer medically-supervised detox that emphasizes comfort, safety, and a smooth transition to long-term recovery.

If you’re ready to start your journey or simply want to learn more about our detox programs, contact CMAR today for a confidential consultation.

Taking the first step toward recovery can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Ambulatory Detox near Broomfield, Colorado

Colorado ranks 9th for the highest addiction rates in the country. Since addiction does not affect each person the same, treating addiction can be very complicated. Ambulatory detox in Broomfield can help patients who do not need 24/7 care to get control of their addiction. An ambulatory detox program near Broomfield, Colorado, has outpatient and at-home options available to assist with all levels of addiction.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer ambulatory detox in Broomfield through our online, telehealth, and outpatient programs. If you cannot take time off from work or family commitments and have not gone through detox before, ambulatory detox can be your best option for treatment. If you or a loved one needs help with their addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with our friendly staff about our ambulatory detox program near Broomfield, Colorado.

What Is Ambulatory Detox?

Ambulatory detox can help patients who do not need a residential treatment program for their level of addiction. When withdrawal symptoms are not that severe and there are no underlying mental health issues driving the addiction, medical professionals can monitor your progress and administer medication at home or through an outpatient treatment program.

Outpatient detox in Broomfield is for patients with a stable and sober home environment that they can return to in the evening while receiving behavioral therapy in group and individual settings. An outpatient program typically follows a residential program as part of continuing addiction therapy for more severe cases of addiction.

Ambulatory detox in Broomfield also includes at-home options for those who do not need an outpatient program or have progressed to an at-home care option. Medical staff will come to you regularly and evaluate your progress, administer medication, and make any adjustments/recommendations regarding your care.

Other requirements for ambulatory detox include:

  • No history of mental health issues
  • No previous detox sessions
  • Ability to listen and follow instructions independently
  • Have a sober home environment

The Right Outpatient Detox in Broomfield for You

Your addiction treatment starts with your desire to stop letting your addiction continue to destroy your life and the lives of those around you. There are several outpatient treatment programs available depending on the level of care you require.

  • Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – PHP generally follows a residential program. You attend group and individual therapy 20-40 hours a week, where you will continue your behavioral therapy and practice your coping skills with others in your group. In the evening, you go home and return in the morning for a set amount of days or months.
  • Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – As you begin to gain more confidence in your abilities to maintain your sobriety, the amount of time you spend in therapy each day will diminish. IOP has you sending most of your day and evening at home or work, and you continue your addiction recovery through day, evening, or weekend sessions for 10-20 hours per week.
  • Outpatient program – This level of care provides patients with therapy sessions on an as-needed basis or 2-10 hours a week. Patients can continue to work with therapists and others in the group as long as necessary to maintain their sobriety.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s Ambulatory Detox in Broomfield

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we can help you with your addiction recovery through our medication-assisted treatment, telehealth, outpatient, and ambulatory detox programs. Our goal is to feel comfortable with your ability to maintain your sobriety and will continue to help you as long as you need it. Our addiction treatment programs can help with all types of addiction, including:

  • Alcohol addiction
  • Opioid and opiate addiction
  • Prescription drug addiction
  • Heroin addiction

If you or a friend needs help with their addiction, call 833.448.0127 today to learn more about ambulatory detox in Broomfield.

VERIFY INSURANCE

Cortland Mathers-Suter

MSSA
Managing Partner

Cortland Mathers-Suter entered the treatment space after his own battle with addiction. He first worked as a peer mentor, before starting clinical work while completing his Masters of Science in social administration from Case Western Reserve University where he focused on policy and direct practice. Cortland moved to Colorado in 2015 to start his first addiction treatment program, AspenRidge Recovery. Under his tenure, AspenRidge Recovery became a two-location, nationally accredited organization. He has since spent the last two years researching and developing what is now Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR).

According to Cortland, “Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is the most important organization I have had the honor to help build. We’re offering a service that seeks to not only improve the lives of our patients but also evolve how we look at medication-assisted treatment in Colorado entirely. Most individuals receiving medication-assisted care only receive medication and urinalysis. Sure you can call that ‘treatment,’ but you can’t call that ‘recovery.’ Our model is about adding the missing recovery component, and thus affords an opportunity to achieve lasting change for each patient and the industry.”

Cortland and his treatment programs have received numerous honors. These include Colorado Business Magazine’s “GenXYZ” award, the 2020 “Titan 100” award, and his program AspenRidge Recovery was both a finalist for “Best Healthcare Company” and named in the “Company’s to Watch” by Colorado Business Magazine as well. He has been interviewed and quoted by numerous publications for his “addiction expertise”, including News Week, 5280 Magazine, the Denver Post, Elephant Journal, Colorado Biz Mag, and TheRecoverySource.org.

Tyler Whitman

Compliance/HR Administrator

Tyler is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. He worked in manufacturing administration for 18 years until he chose to pursue recovery from alcohol addiction, which led him to Chicago, Illinois. Since then, Tyler gained experience in retail, retail pharmacy, and healthcare as a vaccine coordinator for a local Colorado clinic. At the clinic, Tyler discovered that healthcare was the career change he had been looking for. His newfound passion for healthcare, combined with his lived experience with addiction, brought him to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery as an Office Administrator.

In his free time, Tyler enjoys cooking, hiking, and skiing. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Regis University.

Simmeren Boanvala

BA
Outreach and Admissions Representative

Simmeren comes to CMAR after several years working admissions in inpatient psychiatry and addiction. A first-generation Colorado Native, Simmeren attended CU Boulder, where she earned a BA in psychology. Simmeren is currently completing her CAC III while working toward her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

According to Simmeren, “I joined CMAR because I believe in the quality and importance of the program whole-heartedly. My goal at CMAR is to guide each prospect who calls CMAR to find the best possible pathway to their recovery”. Simmeren currently lives in her hometown with her dog and cat.

Tyler Hale

Tyler Hale

Community Partnership Lead

Tyler Hale began his career in addiction treatment following a decades-long fight with his own substance abuse issues. Since achieving long-term recovery, Tyler has held various positions in direct care, client services, admissions and outreach departments at various addiction treatment organizations. From sober living program director to outreach director to admissions director at a drug and alcohol treatment program, Tyler consistently finds himself in leadership roles within the addiction treatment space.

Tyler is originally from Chicago, IL, where he graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bioethics. Thereafter, Tyler built a successful career in the tech industry, before finding sobriety and a subsequent calling to help others. Tyler joined the team at CMAR because he believes in the efficacy of comprehensive and patient-centered outpatient treatment. In his free time Tyler enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with his newborn son.

Kirstin O’Carroll

MSW
Engagement and Relations Director

Kirstin O’Carroll started her career in addiction and mental health services 23 years ago after graduating with an MSW from The Oho State University. Hired directly from an internship program, she served as a case manager and vocational specialist on a community treatment team in Columbus, OH, working to help severely mentally ill adults remain at home and in a community setting. Within the same organization, she later transitioned to clinical assessment and crisis intervention services with children, adolescents, and adults. Through these experiences, she learned the importance of providing empathetic, high-quality care and the need to “start wherever the patient is” with regard to finding the best treatment & solutions for her patients.

After seven years, Kirstin made a career change to diagnostic sales and worked for several Fortune 500 companies as an acute care sales specialist. She is delighted to return “home” to her passion for helping others and believes her new role as community engagement coordinator for CMAR is the perfect alignment of both her clinical and sales skills. When not promoting CMAR, she can be found reading, running, hiking, watching movies, and spending time with her husband Dennis and senior canine son Reggie.

Thomas Mazzarella

LAC
Primary Therapist

Thomas is a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the State of Colorado and a Licensed Addictions Specialist (LCAS) in the State of North Carolina with particular expertise in the treatment of chronic Substance Abuse Addiction and Dependency.

Thomas is dedicated to Individual, Couples, Family, and Group Counseling and Therapy for individuals with Substance Use and Mental Health issues and concerns.

James Jackman

CAS
Primary Therapist

James Jackman is a Certified Addiction Specialist and has been practicing addiction treatment in Colorado since 2015. James is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Metropolitan State University Denver. James is a traditional CBT therapist specializing in childhood events that lead to adult addictions.

James has received special training in Family Systems, Inner Child, Maladaptive Schemas, and Adverse Childhood Experiences. James has worked in many treatment settings throughout his career and uses a client-centered treatment approach to help one recover from destructive patterns that facilitate addiction. In addition, James enjoys working with rescue animals and advocates for several local rescue organizations outside of work.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherds and her cat. She is passionate about fostering animals through various local rescues to find adoptive homes for dogs and cats in need.

Megan Hanekom

LPC, LAC, NCC
Therapist & Clinical Compliance Officer

Megan is a licensed counselor who has worked in various mental health and addiction treatment environments. She practices cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing and believes in pulling from various therapeutic approaches to best support each individual. Megan received her bachelor’s in psychology and Spanish from Concordia College. She relocated from North Dakota to Colorado where she earned a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Denver.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherds and her cat. She is passionate about fostering animals through various local rescues to find adoptive homes for dogs and cats in need.

Maggie Coyle

MA, LPC
Primary Therapist

Maggie Coyle, MS, MA, LPP, LPCC has worked in the mental health and addictions counseling field for the past six years. She has extensive experience in working in the varying levels of mental health and addictions treatment as well as with diverse populations.

She practices cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy as primary intervention methods. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology as well as a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling both from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. She has also earned a master’s degree in addictions counseling from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. Maggie moved from South Dakota to Colorado in June 2020 and is excited to be a part of the CMAR team.

Michael Damioli

LCSW, CSAT
Clinical Director

Michael Damioli has been passionately working in the fields of addiction treatment and mental health since 2012. He has held a variety of different roles within the addiction recovery space, ranging from peer support to direct clinical practice. Notably, Michael was part of a leadership group that developed a small therapy practice into a nationally branded addiction treatment program, which offers multiple levels of care to recovering professionals. Michael is a strong believer in the family disease model of addiction and has focused much of his clinical work and training on supporting families impacted by addiction. He also specializes in treating individuals suffering from co-occurring chemical and process addictions.

Michael is honored to be leading the clinical care team at CMAR and believes that excellent clinical care begins by simply treating a patient with dignity and respect. Michael is a strong advocate for ethical reform within the addiction treatment field and is excited to promote CMAR as an ethical and thought leader throughout the treatment & recovery industry. Michael earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver and is independently licensed as a clinical social worker with the state of Colorado. He holds an advanced post-graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy from the Denver Family Institute as well as an advanced certificate in sexual addiction counseling from the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals.

Dwight-Duncan

Dwight Duncan

Psy.D
Psychologist

Dr. Duncan was born and spent most of his early life in California. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 1987. He is a licensed psychologist as well as a licensed addiction counselor. He has had extensive training and experience throughout his professional career in medical psychology, mindfulness, integrated behavioral healthcare, and substance abuse.

Dr. Duncan is married and has one daughter, a neurologic physical therapist in Los Angeles.

Susan-Miget

Susan Miget

NP
Medical Provider

Susan has been in healthcare for more than 20 years. She was an ICU nurse for nine years, then returned to school and completed her master of nursing and family nurse practitioner degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2007. She practiced pain management for many years before developing her current passion for addiction treatment.

Susan has transitioned her practice to focus entirely on addiction treatment. She has worked in residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. Susan most enjoys working with patients one-on-one in a private office to protect their confidentiality and ensure top-rate care. Knowing that addiction can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time, Susan continues to strive to make treatment more accessible and confidential.

Whitney-Grant

Whitney Grant

MSN, FNP-BC, ARNP, RN, CPN
Medical Provider

Whitney Grant is an experienced family nurse practitioner with experience and expertise in medication-assisted treatment. Whitney earned her BSN at the University of Miami before moving on to achieve a master of science in nursing degree there as well, becoming a nurse practitioner immediately thereafter.

Whitney has since achieved board certification from the ANCC as a family nurse practitioner. After spending her entire formative and educational years in South Florida, Whitney moved to Denver in 2018 to pursue a career as a provider in family practice, sub-specializing in addictions medicine. Whitney has worked under the guidance of Dr. Nathaniel Moore, CMAR’s medical director, since moving to Denver.

Nathaniel Moore

MD
Medical Director

Dr. Nathan Moore is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Moore attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA for his undergraduate work and then attended Duke University School of Medicine and obtained his M.D. in 1995. Dr. Moore then came to Colorado and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Colorado’s Family Medicine Program at Rose Medical Center.

Dr. Moore practices primarily at our Aurora location. He provides comprehensive family medicine services and has a special interest in addiction medicine, treating patients with opioid use disorder as well as alcohol addiction.

Dr. Moore is married with three children. He enjoys mountain biking, running, and golf.