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What to Expect in Recovery-Oriented Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone has become one of the most widely used and evidence-backed medications for treating opioid use disorder. But the success of Suboxone isn’t just about taking a pill—it’s about how the medication is integrated into a comprehensive, recovery-oriented program. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR), our Suboxone treatment isn’t a temporary fix—it’s a personalized, holistic approach to long-term healing.

If you’re considering medication-assisted treatment (MAT), understanding what to expect in recovery-oriented Suboxone treatment is the first step toward taking back control of your life.

Understanding Suboxone and Its Role in Recovery

Suboxone is a combination medication that includes buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the intense high that comes with full opioid agonists like heroin or oxycodone. Naloxone is included to prevent misuse, particularly by injection.

Suboxone is often part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan, where medication is combined with behavioral therapies, peer support, and recovery planning. Unlike short-term detox programs that remove opioids from the body, Suboxone can be used for long-term stabilization to support individuals through every phase of recovery.

What Makes Treatment “Recovery-Oriented”?

At CMAR, we use the term “recovery-oriented” to describe care beyond symptom control. Recovery isn’t just about stopping drug use—it’s about rebuilding every aspect of life that addiction has impacted.

Recovery-oriented treatment focuses on:

  • Long-term healing, not short-term solutions
  • Emotional wellness and mental health support
  • Relationship and community reintegration
  • Sustainable coping skills for relapse prevention
  • Empowering the individual through education and choice

By combining Suboxone with therapy, skill-building, and accountability, CMAR helps patients achieve more than sobriety—we help them rediscover purpose.

What to Expect During the First Phase of Suboxone Treatment

Initial Assessment and Medical Evaluation

The first step in any Suboxone treatment program at CMAR is a comprehensive intake assessment. Our medical team reviews your medical history, substance use patterns, and any co-occurring mental health concerns. We use this information to determine if Suboxone is the appropriate medication and how it fits into your treatment plan.

Induction Phase

Once cleared for Suboxone, you’ll begin the induction phase. This involves taking your first doses under clinical supervision, often in mild withdrawal. Our providers closely monitor your symptoms and adjust the dosage to reduce discomfort and stabilize your condition.

This stage is critical—it sets the tone for how your body responds to Suboxone and provides immediate relief from the physical pain of opioid withdrawal.

Education and Expectations

You’ll also receive education on how Suboxone works, what side effects to expect, how to avoid interactions with other medications, and the importance of consistency. Our expert team ensures you understand every part of your recovery journey.

What to Expect in Ongoing Recovery-Oriented Care

After the initial induction, you’ll move into the maintenance phase, where your recovery becomes more structured and goal-oriented. Suboxone helps reduce cravings, but healing requires more than medication. At CMAR, we help you create a life where opioids are no longer necessary.

Regular Monitoring and Dose Adjustments

Suboxone doses aren’t static. Your medical provider will work with you to assess your symptoms, side effects, and progress. Over time, your dose may be adjusted based on your stability, goals, and readiness for eventual tapering.

Individual and Group Therapy

Behavioral therapy is a required component of our recovery-oriented Suboxone treatment. In individual therapy, you’ll explore the underlying issues contributing to substance use, such as trauma, anxiety, or depression. In group sessions, you’ll connect with peers in recovery, share insights, and build a supportive community.

CMAR offers evidence-based therapies including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Trauma-Informed Therapy
  • Family and Relationship Counseling

Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders

Many people struggling with opioid use disorder also experience depression, PTSD, ADHD, or anxiety. These co-occurring disorders need to be treated alongside addiction. Our dual-diagnosis expertise allows us to provide integrated care for both mental health and substance use.

Building a Life Beyond Substance Use

Recovery-oriented care means helping patients return to meaningful life roles—whether pursuing education, re-entering the workforce, repairing relationships, or developing hobbies and interests that foster a sense of identity and purpose.

The Role of Behavioral Therapy in Suboxone Treatment

While Suboxone can help stabilize the body, therapy is what transforms the mind. Medication addresses the physiological cravings and withdrawal, but treatment helps rebuild emotional resilience, decision-making, and self-worth.

Behavioral health care in a recovery-oriented model:

  • Teaches healthy coping mechanisms
  • Helps reframe negative thoughts and self-beliefs
  • Supports relapse prevention by addressing high-risk triggers
  • Encourages the development of long-term goals

Without behavioral therapy, Suboxone becomes just a Band-Aid. With treatment, it becomes part of a sustainable recovery strategy.

How CMAR’s Approach to Suboxone Treatment Is Different

CMAR’s model is built for people who want to reclaim their lives, not just reduce their symptoms. Our outpatient Suboxone program is designed around:

  • Individualized treatment plans based on each client’s needs and goals
  • Flexible scheduling, including telehealth options, to fit busy lives
  • Clinicians trained in trauma-informed and dual-diagnosis care
  • Long-term support that evolves with your recovery journey

Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. CMAR’s approach adapts to your life, not the other way around.

Duration and Timeline of Suboxone Treatment

There is no fixed timeline for Suboxone treatment. Some individuals may benefit from a short course, while others require maintenance treatment for several months or years. Recovery-oriented care doesn’t rush the process. Instead, we focus on progress over perfection, constantly monitoring signs of readiness for dose reductions or transitions in care.

Suboxone may be gradually tapered under medical supervision when:

  • The individual has demonstrated sustained stability
  • Cravings and withdrawal symptoms have subsided
  • Strong behavioral and emotional supports are in place
  • The patient expresses readiness and desire to reduce medication use

At CMAR, tapering is never forced or based on arbitrary timelines. It’s done collaboratively, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Common Misconceptions About Suboxone and Recovery

Recovery-oriented treatment often challenges outdated ideas about sobriety. At CMAR, we help patients and families understand that:

  • Suboxone is not trading one addiction for another—it’s a medical intervention that allows for healing.
  • Recovery is not defined by abstinence alone but by quality of life, health, and connection.
  • You can be in recovery while on Suboxone, and for many, that’s when true healing begins.

Stigma surrounding MAT often keeps people from seeking help. We aim to dismantle that stigma by providing compassionate, science-based care that supports long-term recovery.

Start Your Recovery with CMAR Today

Choosing Suboxone is not just about getting through withdrawal—it’s about building a life you’re proud of. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide recovery-oriented Suboxone treatment that treats the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.

If you’re ready to take that first step, reach out today. Our expert team will help you understand your options and create a treatment plan that fits your goals, schedule, and needs.

Contact us today to begin your path to recovery with CMAR.

How Buprenorphine Is Used to Treat Heroin Addiction

Heroin affects the brain and body in ways that can eventually lead to a serious addiction. It doesn’t discriminate, so people from any background can become vulnerable to its effects. Getting the right help can be key to overcoming heroin addiction. Buprenorphine treatment is one way that Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery helps individuals struggling with a dependency on heroin. It’s administered as part of our medication-assisted treatment program as an alternative to taking an abstinence-only approach.

What Is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that produces an effect similar to taking heroin but at a lower level. It’s been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating individuals diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. Clients at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery typically receive buprenorphine treatment alongside other counseling and behavioral therapies as part of an overall treatment plan for heroin addiction.

Clients receive the medication in tablet form at the recommended dosage once per day. We try and make sure clients receive buprenorphine treatment at the same time each day for consistency. You should never take more than the recommended dosage of buprenorphine to avoid the potential of developing a dependency, similar to the one that you might form with heroin.

How Does Buprenorphine Help with Addiction?

Taking buprenorphine helps clients reduce their need for heroin and other opioids over time. It helps alleviate cravings and can reduce the risk of a client having an overdose. You should stop taking any kind of opioids around 12 to 24 hours before starting buprenorphine treatment. Clients are often in the early stages of withdrawal when they start taking the medication. Heroin withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • Cravings for heroin
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal distress
  • Depression
  • Agitation
  • Muscle spasms

The discomfort caused by heroin withdrawal can dissuade people from trying to kick an addiction to heroin. That’s where buprenorphine treatment can make a real difference. Alleviating a client’s withdrawal symptoms can increase their desire to complete a rehab program and continue treatment while in recovery.

Clients work with our addiction specialists and doctors to gradually wean themselves off of buprenorphine treatment. One of the reasons that the drug is popular for use with MAT is that it doesn’t typically cause clients to develop a psychological dependency.

Because each client has different needs when it comes to heroin treatment, everyone should have a choice when it comes to care. While an abstinence-only approach to heroin addiction can work for some, it’s not the path forward for everyone. That’s why Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery provides a range of treatment options for clients.

What Are the Side Effects of Using Buprenorphine?

You should let your doctor know if you have known allergies to buprenorphine or ingredients used to make buprenorphine. Make sure you fully disclose other substances you may be taking, including vitamins, nutritional supplements, OTC medications, and prescriptions. Doctors need that information to make sure that you won’t have an adverse reaction to buprenorphine treatment.

People receiving buprenorphine treatment may experience the following side effects:

  • Sweating
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Palpitations
  • Sleep issues
  • Muscle pain

Inform your doctor immediately if your symptoms worsen to include respiratory distress or signs that you are developing a dependency. Your physician may adjust your dosage or make other arrangements for treating your heroin addiction.

Receive Buprenorphine Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Our facility offers other treatments and therapies to help clients with addiction issues, mental health disorders, or a combination of the two. Clients get the chance to educate themselves about their addiction and better understand how to manage situations that might cause them to relapse.

If you or a loved one need help to overcome a heroin addiction, reach out to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127.

Press Release: CMAR’s Clinical Director Featured in The Mighty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CMAR’s Clinical Director Featured in The Mighty

Denver, CO: Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s clinical director Michael Damioli has been featured in a recent article from The Mighty.

In their article “Why ‘Harm Reduction’ Could Be a Tool for Managing and Minimizing Drug Addiction,” Damioli offers his perspective on the role of harm reduction and injection sites in addiction treatment. In injection centers, individuals who use illicit drugs like heroin can inject them safely, with medical care and life-saving medications on hand if necessary. These centers are a type of harm reduction, which minimizes pain and risks for those who use various substances. 

In Damioli’s view, injection centers and other harm reduction services should be a larger part of the landscape of addiction treatment. His view is that “treating drug users like human beings is the answer to the epidemic and safe injection sites is one step in that direction.” At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, harm reduction techniques are used to help patients on the path to sustainable recovery, and will likely be found in more addiction treatment centers in the future.

About Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: CMAR is Colorado’s only licensed outpatient addiction treatment center that offers integrated medical, clinical, and pharmaceutical services. To learn more, reach out to their treatment center at 855.454.4003 today.

Does Vivitrol Cure Drug or Alcohol Addiction?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) gives rehab centers the ability to provide clients with a treatment option that can help sustain recovery. While it’s mainly used to treat drug addiction, it can also benefit individuals battling an alcohol addiction.

Vivitrol treatment involves giving clients an extended-release form of naltrexone. Colorado Medication-Assisted Recovery believes in the benefits of MAT therapy using Vivitrol.

Does Vivitrol Cure Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Can Vivitrol Cure an Alcohol or Drug Addiction?

Once you become addicted to drugs or alcohol and become sober, you must remain in recovery mode for the rest of your life. While Vivitrol helps clients get through the rehab process with fewer cravings and withdrawal symptoms, it doesn’t cure addiction issues.

Vivitrol treatment typically works as a complement to other therapies in a client’s treatment plan. Colorado Medication-Assisted Recovery looks to treat all aspects of a client’s addiction issues. You also get the opportunity to participate in sessions consisting of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, both of which have benefited clients who come in to treat an addiction.

Many who come to us for help may have underlying mental health disorders. People often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of self-medicating the symptoms. They may not realize that issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD could exacerbate their addiction problems.

That’s why the staff at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery takes the time to understand our clients so that we understand the full scope of their issues. That allows us to come up with individualized treatment plans to address every aspect of your illness.

Vivitrol for Co-Occurring Disorders

Many individuals struggling with addiction also have co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Vivitrol can be an effective treatment option for these individuals, as it addresses the physical aspects of addiction while therapy tackles the psychological factors.

At CMAR, we take an integrated approach to treating co-occurring disorders. Our team of medical professionals and therapists works together to create personalized treatment plans that address both addiction and mental health. By treating the whole person, we help individuals achieve lasting recovery and improve their overall quality of life.

How Does Vivitrol Work?

Vivitrol is a brand-name version of the medication naltrexone. Clients in MAT programs can take the medication in injectable or tablet form. Your system must be free of opioids, alcohol, or other toxins before you can start MAT with Vivitrol. That will keep them from experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they begin taking the medication.

People end up being attracted to substances for different reasons. Opioids create euphoric feelings by stimulating the opioid receptors in your brain, while alcohol functions as a depressant to your central nervous system.

Vivitrol blocks the receptors that typically respond to these substances, so they can’t produce the highs and other expected sensations typically produced when you consume drugs or alcohol.

How Can Vivitrol Help With Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

The FDA first approved the use of Vivitrol for alcohol addiction treatment back in 2010. Individuals who take the drug as part of MAT typically experience fewer cravings, which can help them avoid relapsing. It does the same for individuals working to overcome opioid addiction. The net effect is that people tend to stay in rehab longer, allowing them to absorb the lessons taught in therapy and apply them to their regular lives.

Again, your body must be completely free of other substances if you want to experience the full benefits of Vivitrol. If you’re already taking buprenorphine, then the Vivitrol would interfere with the effects of that drug, which might make your withdrawal symptoms worse. Vivitrol stops opioid receptors from bonding with endorphins produced by opioids, making it extremely effective for treating opioid addiction.

How to Prepare for Vivitrol Treatment

How to Prepare for Vivitrol Treatment

Before starting Vivitrol, individuals must complete detox and be free of opioids for at least 7–14 days. This ensures that Vivitrol does not trigger withdrawal symptoms or interfere with other medications. Here’s how to prepare for Vivitrol treatment:

  1. Complete Detox: Work with a medical professional to safely detox from opioids or alcohol.
  2. Stay Opioid-Free: Avoid using opioids, methadone, or buprenorphine for at least 7–14 days before starting Vivitrol.
  3. Consult a Healthcare Provider: Discuss your medical history and any medications you’re taking to ensure Vivitrol is safe for you.
  4. Commit to Recovery: Vivitrol works best when combined with therapy and lifestyle changes, so be prepared to fully engage in your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does Vivitrol stay in your system?
Vivitrol’s effects last for about one month, which is why it’s administered as a monthly injection.

2. Can Vivitrol be used during pregnancy?
Vivitrol may not be safe for pregnant women. Consult your healthcare provider to discuss the risks and benefits.

3. What happens if I miss a Vivitrol injection?
If you miss an injection, contact your healthcare provider immediately to reschedule. Delaying treatment may increase the risk of relapse.

4. Is Vivitrol safe for individuals with chronic health conditions?
Vivitrol may not be safe for everyone. Before starting treatment, inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions or medications you’re taking.

Get Help For Addiction at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication-Assisted Recovery (CMAR), we understand that overcoming addiction is a challenging journey, and there are no quick fixes or miracle cures.

However, we are committed to providing the tools, support, and resources you need to achieve lasting sobriety. Our goal is to help you build a healthier, more fulfilling life free from the grip of drugs and alcohol.

What Sets CMAR Apart?

  • Personalized Treatment Plans: We recognize that every individual’s journey with addiction is unique. Our team takes the time to understand your specific needs, challenges, and goals to create a tailored treatment plan that works for you.
  • Comprehensive Care: Our programs combine medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with evidence-based therapies to address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.
  • Safe and Supportive Environment: We prioritize your comfort and safety, providing a welcoming space where you can focus on healing and recovery.
  • Experienced Team: Our medical professionals and therapists are highly trained in addiction treatment and are dedicated to helping you succeed.

Take the First Step Today

If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step toward recovery, CMAR is here to help. Our compassionate team is available to answer your questions, verify your insurance coverage, and guide you through the process of starting treatment.

Press Release: Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s Clinical Director Interviewed for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s Clinical Director Interviewed for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly

 

Denver, CO: In a recent article in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, Michael Damioli, the clinical director of Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, offers his perspective on the future of telehealth in the field of addiction treatment. 

Medications that can treat opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine, were once only available through in-person inpatient or outpatient treatment. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has propelled addiction treatment centers such as Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery to open up telehealth treatment options. In Damioli’s view, this will pave the way for more comprehensive telehealth treatment options in the future. 

“The telehealth door has been opened,” Damioli notes. While remote treatment for substance use disorder may have been prompted by the pandemic, telehealth is seen as an option that will only continue to grow in years to come. Even as treatment centers begin to return to in-person sessions, telehealth can help those addicted to opioids continue medication-assisted treatment long-term.

About Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery: Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is Colorado’s only licensed outpatient addiction treatment center that offers integrated medical, clinical, and pharmaceutical services. To learn more, reach out to their treatment center at 855.454.4003 today.

More Than Therapy

As the opioid pandemic surges opioid treatment providers have begun expanding the services they offer. From case management to individual therapy to peer support, opioid treatment is evolving. But no program in Colorado has ever actually integrated treatment…until now!

CMAR is Colorado’s first program to develop a rehab program that offers on-site medication-assisted treatment to treat alcohol & opioid addiction. We built CMAR because we understand that too many opioid treatment providers just prescribe suboxone and send you on your way. That simply is not treatment.

Addiction cannot be treated with just a pill, because addiction impacts us, physically, psychologically, socially, and every other way you can imagine. So although medication is often necessary, but can never be the central guiding force. The central feature of effective treatment is therapeutic care, which provides psychoeducation, gives patients an opportunity to process emotional dysfunction, resolves trauma, reduces the impact of mental-health conditions, helps generate healthy coping mechanisms, and builds trust.

The most effective way to recovery from drug addiction, especially opioid addiction and alcoholism, is a combination of intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), medication management, family therapy and case management. That’s why at CMAR we don’t require that patients take Suboxone, Vivitrol, Sublocade or other opioid replacement or alcohol replacement medications. We simply require that patients engage in individual and group therapy, peer support and case management. We value medications so much that we are the only outpatient addiction treatment program in Colorado to carry a Controlled Substance License so that patients have immediate access to Suboxone inductions, Sublocade and Vivitrol shots and medication management. We just understand that what leads to lasting change starts with an addiction screening and addiction assessment that leads to an individualized plan that combines different amounts and approaches to the following approaches to addiction treatment: addiction therapy, mental health therapy, addiction therapy groups, alcoholism therapy groups, opioid addiction therapy, stimulant addiction therapy, mental health therapy groups, depression therapy groups, family systems therapy, family therapy to treat addiction, peer accountability, peer feedback, 12 step drug treatment, and similar treatments! Opioid Replacement Medications just don’t help resolve social, family, and peer, let alone individual problems.

How Medication-Assisted Treatment Works for Alcohol Addiction

Substance abuse treatment needs to address your unique needs. For many people with alcohol addiction, a component of that therapy is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This is a method of helping your body to overcome the addiction withdrawal and cravings you feel so you can focus on the mental health challenges present. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, our treatment program is designed to support you through this process.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

MAT is one of the substance abuse treatment options our team offers to those who are committed to full recovery. It is not meant to be a replacement for therapy or for working on improving your life. Used properly, these medications can work to eliminate your withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

When a person uses alcohol over an extended period of time, it is likely they will develop dependence. This is a condition in which the way the brain and body communicate changes thanks to the way alcohol triggers the function of neurotransmitters in the brain. Your body becomes dependent on alcohol to function and craves it. As that happens, it becomes harder and harder for you not to use. Medication-assisted treatment helps to trick the brain into believing the substance is here, reducing the risk of withdrawal.

When Can MAT Be Used for Alcohol Addiction?

When you come in to see our team to learn more about our substance abuse treatment, we’ll discuss the availability of MAT for your situation. There are many situations in which it may help you, including in these situations:

  • Long-term alcohol use
  • High amounts of alcohol use
  • Intense withdrawal symptoms when not using
  • Intense cravings
  • Relapse or overdose risks

MAT is helpful for a short period of time as your body adjusts to the lack of alcohol in your system. This process gives you the mental health stability you need so you can start to learn how to control your addiction and overcome it.

While we offer medication-assisted treatment, it is not the only component of your therapy. Our goal is to always provide you with the resources you need to truly change your life. That means rebuilding your mental health as well as your physical health.

Because of how challenging alcohol addiction is to overcome, the use of MAT is often encouraged. We offer a range of medications that can be helpful. This may include disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone. Your therapist and doctor will determine which medications are best suited for your specific needs and addiction.

How Can Medication-Assisted Treatment Help You?

Our goal in providing you with access to MAT is to help you overcome that initial withdrawal period. It allows you to gain confidence and some level of mental clarity. Then, you need to start working on the healing process. That incorporates many additional steps, including counseling with our dedicated team of professionals.

Substance abuse treatment is a complex process, but it can be very successful for you in the right environment. Our trusted team of counselors is available to talk to you about how we can help you overcome your addiction. We encourage you to learn more about our therapy options in total, including:

Get the Treatment You Need – Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Today

Is medication-assisted treatment right for you? You may not be sure if you need MAT or even substance abuse treatment. If alcohol is controlling your life, it’s time to change. Our team in Colorado has the tools and resources to help you. To learn more about our therapy options, call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online today.

How To Best Support Those in Medication Assisted Recovery Programs

When a person starts on the path of healing from addiction, they may be given medications to support the process. Medication-assisted recovery can be very effective when properly used alongside therapy. Yet, this doesn’t mean supporting loved ones through the recovery process gets easier. It is still essential to have ongoing support in recovery and help during treatment. Our team at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can help you to make the best decisions for your supporting your loved one.

What Is Your Role in Medication-Assisted Recovery?

It’s a common misconception that once a person is taking medications for their addiction, they are “cured” or “better.” Rather, they are just starting out and need help during treatment. While medications are a very big component of the healing process, most people in medication-assisted recovery still need supportive loved ones who can give them reassurance and ensure they have the guidance they need.

What can you do, as a loved one, to give your friend, spouse, sibling, or other person support in recovery? There are many things you can do to help during treatment, including:

  • Listening, rather than telling, them about their addiction
  • Learning the warning signs of relapse and monitoring for them
  • Providing and ensuring a drug-free environment at home to live in
  • Recognizing high stress levels and helping a person to overcome them
  • Supporting their needs to go to counseling on a routine basis
  • Learning their triggers for relapse and help them to avoid those

It’s important to know that supporting loved ones in recovery does not mean you’ll have to do everything for them, pay their bills, and take care of them physically. A component of recovery and treatment is to learn how to do these things on their own. Yet, they still need support in recovery, which may include having someone available on an ongoing basis and ensuring they have a safe place to live.

What Happens in Medication-Assisted Recovery?

To help during treatment, be sure to understand what your loved one is going through during medication-assisted recovery. You may be able to be a part of some of their counseling sessions. During this type of treatment, medications are used to help a person to gain mental health stability and to limit the impact of withdrawal. When these medications work, you may feel as though you have your loved one back. Yet, there is a lot more to do during the recovery process.

During the recovery process, your loved one will learn about their addiction and why it happened. They may be diagnosed with a mental health disorder or find themselves learning new ways to control negative thoughts. They will need to learn how to manage stress, challenges in everyday life, and complex relationship problems. Supporting loved ones through this is vital.

Does Your Loved One Need Help During Treatment?

Perhaps you want your loved one to get help. Now is the time to encourage them before their medical or emotional needs change. To learn more about our medication-assisted recovery and how you can help during treatment, reach out to our team today. Learn about our programs and therapies, including:

Treatment Begins When You Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Do you have a loved one that needs support in recovery? Medication-assisted recovery can be very effective, but medicine alone is not enough. Supporting loves ones during the healing process and long after in recovery is critical. If your loved one needs help during treatment or is ready to start on the path towards recovery, reach out to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for guidance. Call our team at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online now.

Where to Find an Opioid Recovery Center in Boulder

Tens of millions of people in the US abuse opioids every year, with a few million developing tolerance and dependence on the drugs. Few of those who develop an addiction go to rehab, but many people choose to self-medicate. Those who try to stop without expert help experience relapse because of the overwhelming withdrawal symptoms. At the Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR), we agree that checking into an opioid recovery center will help you overcome opioid abuse and regain sobriety. Contact CMAR at 833.448.0127 to learn more about our opioid recovery center near Boulder, CO.

Why Do You Need an Opioid Recovery Center?

Hundreds of Americans die daily because of opioid abuse and addiction-related cases. Furthermore, the number of opioid overdose deaths in America increased considerably in 2018 from the previous year. The statistics point to the dire need for opioids abuse treatment.

If you are struggling with an opioid use disorder, your top priority should be finding an opioid treatment program that will facilitate permanent recovery. Ask yourself: What unique aspect must such a program contain to ensure the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms do not force you to relapse?

Some of the opioid withdrawal symptoms that require immediate rehab help at an outpatient treatment program include:

  • Hypertension
  • Body tremors and shaking
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Slurred speech
  • Breathing problems
  • Emotional numbness
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

An ideal recovery program offers customized opioid treatment to meet your individual needs. Different people face varied challenges that require personalized treatment plans. Those who do not access personalized care face a wide array of problems after recovery.

Where can you find a recovery center that promises you reliable aftercare and support once you complete your addiction treatment?

Opioid Addiction Treatment in Boulder, Colorado

At CMAR, we offer personalized treatment and aftercare programs to ensure that you do not experience relapse once you regain your sobriety. To enroll for a reliable opioid addiction treatment program in Boulder, reach out to our professionals today.

Our facility has a qualified and experienced team of therapists, clinical officers, and other healthcare providers who will handle your opioid abuse recovery process. The professionals will accord you the essential support, supervision, and guidance you need.

CMAR uses medication-assisted treatment and aftercare programs that are useful in achieving full recovery. We will teach you more about your condition and help you set attainable recovery goals.

Most individuals are unable to overcome substance abuse due to intense withdrawal symptoms. Having dealt with many other people in a similar situation, the therapists at CMAR understand how to offer you the much-needed help.

Why Addiction Treatment Is Vital

While you’re at our addiction treatment center, you’ll find that you have the support of our clinical treatment staff. You will work closely with your therapist to achieve set goals. Because it is an outpatient treatment center, you can go home at the end of the day’s treatment.

Once you indicate positive change and ability to manage withdrawal after leaving the opioid recovery center, our case management and aftercare programs can ensure long-term sobriety.

It is worth noting that the highly addictive nature of opioids makes aftercare programs critical in ensuring you can overcome relapse episodes as you return to the outside world.

During your treatment program, you will participate in several types of evidence-based treatment programs, such as:

Overcome Opioid Abuse at CMAR

Do not struggle with opioid abuse any longer. Reach out to the Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for information on how to overcome addiction at our opioid recovery center. Contact CMAR today at 833.448.0127 to schedule an appointment.

Why Supporting Families Leads to Better Outcomes for Opiate-Addiction Recovery

Families aren’t just groups of people who live together, they are ecosystems. Our personal development is completely effected by, and often hinges on, the support, love, laughter, neglect, loss & abuse we experience at home. It is where we learn to love, laugh, and cry, where attachments are formed, and detachment is taught healthily or otherwise. Yet when addiction happens to a member of a family, treatment is usually totally focused on them.

Family therapy, couples counseling, self-help support groups for the loved ones of addicts, these are all fantastic forms of help to heal the wounds addiction has caused. So too is attachment & family constellation work for the addicted individual. But without addressing all three sides, the needs of the identified patient (the addict), the needs of the family, and the reintegration of all parties into an evolved state of being, things will never be truly as good as they could be. Not to mention, not doing the “family work” could lead to relapse of the patient, or feelings of resentment on behalf of the family, the patient, or both. This is as true for couples as it is for larger nuclear families.

At CMAR, we support the healing of entire family systems, because it is in healing the system as a whole, that the individual recovers and the system can become and stay whole. It rarely looks the same way twice, but unless the family system is tended to, systemic healing is often impossible. We provide updates to patients’ families weekly (when the proper releases are signed), family therapy weekly (just the family or the family and the patient), provide referrals for more intensive family work, and referrals to high-quality self-help support groups as well. We do all of this because we recognize the crucial role families play in the recovery of a loved one.

If a loved one needs help for an opioid addiction, CMAR is Colorado’s most comprehensive opioid-specific addiction treatment program statewide. We will provide more care for less than any other private organization. This includes support and works with the families and other loved ones in a patient’s life. We do this because we care…

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

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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.