mental health treatment Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

Dealing with Depression During the Winter Months

Posted on December 14, 2022 by cmarnew

If you struggle with depression during winter, you can use some self-care strategies to deal with the situation. If you’re unsure about where to start or what steps you can take to cope with the changing season’s effect on your mood, we are here to help. To help you get on the right track and manage the symptoms, you may want to consider seeking treatment from a rehab center.

Dual diagnosis treatment can help you get to the root of your depression and provide tools for coping with the winter blues. If you’re looking for “dual diagnosis near me,” Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery provides effective, comprehensive care to help you find balance in your life.

Why Is Depression Common During the Winter?

Depression during winter is linked to a decrease in sunlight, which affects your body’s production of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps regulate your mood, and its production is related to exposure to sunlight. With fewer hours of daylight in winter, people tend to experience a drop in mood.

The long, dark hours of winter can also lead to isolation and loneliness—two factors that are closely linked to depression. You may find yourself struggling with a lack of motivation and loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, as well as difficulty sleeping.

Seeking Treatment for Depression During Winter

If you suffer severe symptoms that affect day-to-day activities, it is advisable to seek a therapist’s assistance. Rehab centers can provide practical tools and strategies to help you build resilience and cope with this disorder during its peak. An expert will evaluate your condition and provide personalized treatment services, including:

Addiction treatment if substance use is a concern
Medication-assisted treatment to reduce symptoms
Case management and peer support
Pain management services

Treatment can also address underlying issues such as trauma, which can worsen depression.

Ways to Cope with Winter Depression

Consider Working Out Regularly

Exercising during winter can boost your energy and make you feel better. Physical activities improve the brain’s serotonin levels which control mood. It is a great way to distract your thoughts from the stress-causing situation and concentrate on positive energy.

Studies reveal that if you perform a thirty-minute exercise routine three times per week, you can alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. If going to the gym seems challenging, opt for working out at home or find engaging physical activities.

Lightbox Therapy

One of the causes of seasonal depression is the lack of exposure to natural sunlight. Fortunately, you can take advantage of other ways to receive the necessary light. Experts concur that lightbox therapy can help.

The sunlight boxes are fitted with fluorescent tubes and produce light with similar benefits to sunlight. A 30-minute exposure to the lightbox every day can help you fight depression symptoms. Many therapists in the US use this technique as an antidepressant for their clients.

Develop Proper Eating Habits

Many people with depression crave carbohydrates and sugar. While it is okay to take your favorite snacks, overeating can affect your health. For example, it can lead to weight gain and unexplained fatigue. Developing a healthy eating plan boosts your body’s metabolism and increases energy levels.

Adopting a healthy diet can serve as a useful depression treatment. Sugary foods can be part of your diet but cut them as much as you can. To develop a healthy diet plan, you can use several strategies, such as:

Minimizing sugary drinks
Watching nutrition labels on pre-cooked foods
Taking low-sugar cereals
Considering high fiber and whole-grain starches
Consuming more vegetables and fruits
Minimizing fats

Learn Coping Mechanisms

You can use simple tricks, like breathing in and out, as a depression treatment. Deep breathing calms your brain and the body. You can do this exercise anywhere, and it can be useful if you do it consistently. Breathing exercises reduce tension in various body parts and help to alleviate anxiety and depression.

Yoga and meditation can also help you feel better. Health experts encourage people to embrace these practices because they understand their health benefits. Try to learn mindfulness, which aims to maintain focus on the current moment and cultivate fulfillment and happiness.

Consult a therapist at a depression treatment center to learn mindfulness, meditation, and other life skills for coping with depression during winter.

Overcome Depression at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

You can use these tips to deal with depression during winter, but if the symptoms persist and become uncontrollable, seek immediate medical intervention. At our rehab center, you will meet skilled and experienced therapists who understand the severe consequences of long-term depression. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery at 833.448.0127 to examine your condition and access innovative treatment techniques for seasonal depression.

What to Look For in a Colorado Counseling Center

Posted on August 30, 2022 by cmarnew

Whether you are battling a substance use disorder, struggling with a mental health problem, or both, a counseling center is the best place to seek help. Through counseling and other forms of talk therapy, you can get an insight into the causes of your condition before embarking on recovery. The program’s primary objective is to help participants manage addiction or overcome toxic and overwhelming feelings for the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Colorado counseling centers can give you the tools and resources you need to change your life for the better. Learn more about what to look for in a counseling center to ensure you’re getting the help you need. Through addiction treatment therapies that focus on your unique needs, you can develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with any challenges that come your way.

Look for a Colorado Counseling Center That Offers Privacy and Confidentiality

Although people have varying needs and goals when attending counseling sessions, everyone values privacy and confidentiality. It is essential to choose a Colorado addiction treatment center that can handle your condition discreetly for a desirable outcome.

Every center underscores the essence of privacy during counseling. Most individuals who need counseling battle issues that they wish to keep private for fear of embarrassment or judgment. An ideal center should assure its clients of the highest level of privacy during and after rehab, according to The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The information that you share with your therapist should not be accessible to third parties. When selecting a counseling center, you need assurance that your information will be kept private.

Accessibility of the Counseling Center

Some counseling sessions, especially during addiction and mental health treatment, may require you to spend some time at the facility for close monitoring. Otherwise, you may need to schedule frequent appointments with your therapist. The latter option requires you to stay where you can manage to make it in time for medical appointments, as suggested by the healthcare provider.

Always consider your needs and whether they align with the location of the counseling facility.

If you are a resident of Colorado, looking for easily accessible Colorado addiction treatment therapies is the right decision. However, traveling from out-of-state to attend counseling in Colorado can also suffice if the rehab center you are going to provides specialized care that you cannot get in your local area.

The Kind of Programs on Offer

The types of programs that the rehab center can offer is another crucial element to consider. Remember, some rehabs do not provide all the programs that you may require for managing your condition. For example, some facilities do not offer outpatient treatment, whereas others lack medication-assisted treatment programs. As such, inquire about the treatment options that a facility has before enrolling.

The treatment of addiction-related disorders is classified into several modalities based on the clear cases that the program can treat. Therefore, you should be able to access various evidence-based programs, such as:

Trauma-informed care program – This modality is designed to help people suffering from PTSD or other forms of trauma.
Depression treatment program – This program helps individuals with depression to identify and manage the triggers of their condition.
Telehealth programs – Convenient, remote access to care for patients who may have difficulty traveling to a counseling center.
Medication-assisted treatment program – This program uses FDA-approved medications in combination with behavioral therapies to treat addiction.
Addiction and pain management – Chronic pain and addiction often go hand-in-hand, so this program focuses on helping people manage both conditions.
Dual diagnosis treatment program – Co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders require specialized care, which this program provides.

Therapists often combine several therapy programs when creating a customized treatment plan for your condition. This treatment should lead you to lasting recovery.

Find Effective Counseling Services at CMAR Today

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we pride ourselves in consistently providing reliable counseling services to our clients. If you are looking for the right Colorado counseling center, do not hesitate to reach out to our professionals for all inquiries about your condition. We utilize scientific evidence to offer different forms of treatment for addiction and mental health conditions.

Call 833.448.0127 today to get started on your road to recovery.

How to Help a Loved One Seek Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Posted on August 16, 2021 by cmarnew

Treating substance use disorder does not involve a one-size-fits-all approach. The same kind of treatment will not work for everyone. The underlying issues that can lead to substance abuse are hidden deep within us. Simply treating the addiction is not enough. However, a dual diagnosis treatment program can succeed where other single-focused programs fail. Finding the right dual diagnosis treatment center is the first step in finding the help you need for an effective recovery that lasts.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we focus on treating the addiction and the underlying reason behind it simultaneously. If you or a loved one is struggling with their recovery, give us a call at 833.448.0127 and schedule an appointment to see how we can help.

What Is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program?

A dual diagnosis treatment program has shown more success with treating opioid and other substance use disorders by treating the mental and physical side effects at the same time.

Those suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety attacks will have a harder time staying away from their drug of choice. This can be due to the short-term relief that drugs or alcohol can provide.

In a dual diagnosis treatment program, there are several types of treatments available to treat the physical and mental symptoms of addiction:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Medication-assisted therapy
Individual and group therapy
Family therapy
Telehealth (virtual) therapy

Our dual diagnosis treatment center in Colorado can help with a complete recovery experience. We understand the difficulties of treating substance use disorder when combined with mental illness. That’s why we build treatment plans specific to our clients to teach them lifelong coping skills to reduce the risks of a relapse.

Helping a Loved One Enroll in a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

Convincing someone that they need treatment is the first hurdle to get over. Mental illness hides behind many things, and they may think they are under control or “functional.” They may not even be aware of their condition and therefore not even consider seeking help.

How can you tell if you or a loved one needs help from a dual diagnosis treatment program? Some of the signs to look for include:

Drinking or drug use begins to affect their work and personal lives
Withdrawing away from friends and family
Increased mood swings

Family history can play a role in addiction and mental illness, as children of parents who suffer from this disease are more susceptible to struggling with the same issues. Even if you feel like you have everything under control and don’t overuse drugs or alcohol, you can still benefit from a dual diagnosis treatment program. Remember, that OK feeling you get while under the influence is not reality.

Learn how to accept how you feel and begin to change it
Forming new relationships that will help you with your recovery
Increased energy and vitality
Gaining strong coping skills for life

The best way to help a friend or loved one understand the benefits of a dual diagnosis treatment program is to show how their actions hurt others. They might not be aware of the effects that their substance abuse has on others. However, by opening their eyes to how they affect others and themselves, they can accept help and begin the road to recovery.

Learn More About Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are committed to your recovery with our dual diagnosis treatment programs. If you or a loved one can benefit from dual diagnosis treatment, contact us today. Our caring therapists will show you how our programs can help you lead a sober and happy life. Contact us 833.448.0127 today and schedule an appointment to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment programs.

Peer Support Can Hold You Accountable to Your Recovery

Posted on July 23, 2021 by cmarnew

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

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

Why Does Peer Support for Recovery Work so Well?

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

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

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

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

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

Peer Support Can Keep You Accountable During Your Recovery

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

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

Benefits of Peer Support

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

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

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

Get Involved to Help Others With Their Addiction Recovery

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

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

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

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

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

How Community Activities Can Boost Recovery

Posted on July 6, 2021 by cmarnew

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

The Importance of Community in Recovery

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

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

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

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

Community Activities at CMAR

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

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

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

CMAR’s Addiction Treatment Programs

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

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

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

Pandemic Blues: How to Deal With Lingering Depression Amid COVID-19

Posted on June 20, 2021 by cmarnew

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in some form or another. Many people began working at home instead of spending time in an office. Birthday parties and other celebrations went virtual. No matter how your life was disrupted as a result of COVID-19, if you struggle with depression, you might have found it difficult to maintain your mental health during this time. However, a depression treatment program can help. As the world begins to heal from the effects of the pandemic, you can also find hope through therapy, counseling, and medication.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we offer depression treatment programs to help you get through the pandemic and come out of it healthier and happier. Reach out to one of our therapists today at 833.448.0127 if you are struggling with depression amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does COVID-19 Make You Depressed?

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and families have had to adapt to changing guidelines to keep themselves and others safe. These changes may have led to feelings of isolation, confusion, or even hopelessness. For those who struggle with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, the pandemic may have exacerbated these conditions. While COVID-19 does not cause depression as one of its symptoms, the dramatic changes in the way society lives can contribute to feelings of depression.

Symptoms of Depression

While the symptoms of depression can vary, some of the most common include:

Trouble sleeping
Sudden mood changes
Lack of concentration
Substance abuse
Lack of energy
Sleeping all day

If you are experiencing any of these problems or think you may be feeling depressed, reach out to a depression treatment program today. For those who also struggle with substance use issues, a dual diagnosis treatment program can help.

What to Do if You Are Feeling Depressed

The best thing to do if you are feeling depressed is to reach out to a medical professional. Talk to your doctor or reach out to a depression treatment program. Certain medications can effectively treat depression, and therapy sessions with an experienced healthcare provider can help you develop healthy coping skills.

It can also be helpful to talk to the people in your life about what you’re experiencing. Your loved ones will want to support you as you begin to heal from the effects of depression. You might also find that you have friends and family members who struggle in similar ways. Group therapy and support groups can also provide support for your journey to recovery.

Staying active can help you feel relief from depression. Find a form of movement that you enjoy. This might include yoga, walking, biking, or participating in exercise classes. If you don’t feel comfortable in a group exercise class just yet, try a virtual class or exercise program instead.

One thing to not do while you’re struggling with depression is turn to drugs and alcohol to help you cope. While these substances might provide short-term relief, they can also exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

Depression Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are available to help you manage the symptoms of depression effectively with depression treatment programs geared toward helping you through these unusual times. The tools you learn today can help you throughout your life. And if you are also struggling with co-occurring substance use issues, our center can help you on the journey to recovery through therapy and medication-assisted treatment.

If you or someone you know is having trouble getting through the current pandemic, they may be suffering from COVID-19 depression and not even know it. Talk to one of our trained therapists at 833.448.0127 today and start your recovery to a better life.

What to Expect in Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Posted on June 5, 2021 by cmarnew

When you are depressed, you want to feel better. And a number of people turn to opioids or alcohol for relief. These substances make them feel better temporarily, and they may begin to associate them as a cure for their depression. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse alongside mental health issues, there are programs specifically designed to help. A dual diagnosis treatment program is the best option for you to get over your addiction by getting to the cause of the original problem.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we specialize in dual diagnosis treatment programs that will get to the reason behind your substance addiction and help you regain your life from your addiction. To learn more about this approach to addiction treatment, call 833.448.0127 today to speak with a member of our team.

How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs Work

When you first speak with a therapist, they will determine if you need a dual diagnosis treatment program. This type of treatment program is not for everyone and is custom-tailored to the needs of the patient. A dual diagnosis treatment involves treating both mental health issues and dependence on drugs and alcohol.

Many rehab therapy programs fail because they only deal with one aspect of the problem. However, dual diagnosis programs give patients the best chance at long-term recovery.

Treating the Underlying Issue

You can’t stop your trigger for your coping mechanism until you find out what prompts you to reach for it. Many problems start in childhood and involve deep-rooted habits that will make quitting on your own extremely difficult.

Many underlying issues can lead to substance abuse, and you may not even realize it without an outside perspective. Some of the mental health issues that co-occur with addiction include:

Depression
Generalized anxiety disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Bipolar disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Those who struggle with these mental health conditions have a higher rate of substance abuse, and the addiction hides the underlying issue. Most singularly focused therapy or rehab programs fail because of this. A dual diagnosis program will include treatment programs to help you get to the bottom of your illness.

Treating the Physical Side of Addiction

Addiction is not a weakness. Instead, it is a mental health issue and a physical issue all on its own. When you begin to view your addiction as a disease, you understand that you can treat it just like any other disease.

As you go through detox, you might experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

Sweating
Shaking
Vomiting
Severe mood swings
Muscle pain
Tremors

Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone help reduce the negative side effects of withdrawal from opioids along with other medications that help with alcohol and nicotine.

Treating individual issues can be difficult on its own. That is why a dual diagnosis treatment program is crucial if you are serious about recovering from your addiction.

Benefits of a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program

When you begin a dual diagnosis treatment program, you will receive a mix of one-on-one and group therapy to help you get back on your feet. Some of the benefits of these therapies include:

A better understanding of the underlying issue and how to treat it
A healthier mind and body
New coping mechanisms that you will use for life
Renewed energy and motivation
New friends to help you stay sober

Recovering from mental illness and addiction will bring about many changes in your life, and the right treatment center can give you the tools you need to maintain your new life.

What to Expect at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

When you begin your treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, you will be treated with the utmost care and respect from our certified therapists and staff. We understand the difficulties of recovering from addiction and treating your mental illness. That is why we specialize in dual diagnosis treatment.

When you are ready to begin your recovery, call our team at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online.

How Neurofeedback Therapy Helps with Mental Health Disorders

Posted on April 1, 2021 by cmarnew

When you have a mental health disorder, it can feel like you don’t fit into your own skin. While talk therapy can be critical in helping individuals get to the core of their issues, some people may benefit from alternative forms of treatment like neurofeedback therapy. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery provides clients with the opportunity to try neurofeedback therapy in the hopes that it provides relief from the symptoms of various mental health disorders.

What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?

The use of neurofeedback therapy goes all the way back to the early 20^th century. It’s a non-invasive procedure that monitors brainwaves using equipment like an electroencephalograph (EEG) to record the brain’s electrical activity. Therapists rely on this data to find irregularities in different areas of the brain and find ways to encourage more positive activity in the organ.

Neurofeedback therapy helps clients by teaching them techniques that help them regulate and boost brain functions. The treatment has proven helpful in providing relief from the symptoms that accompany mental health disorders like ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia.

How Is Neurofeedback Therapy Applied?

Your therapist may recommend that you try neurofeedback therapy if you are dealing with conditions like:

Attention deficit disorders
Birth trauma
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia
PTSD
Brain injuries

It’s considered safe to use neurofeedback therapy on children, adolescents, and adults. Clients dealing with issues tied to cognitive loss because of aging can also benefit from the treatment. Neurofeedback therapy can be used in combination with more traditional forms of therapy as part of a client’s treatment plan.

How Does Neurofeedback Therapy Work?

Most people attend neurofeedback therapy once per week, and sessions typically last between 30 and 60 minutes. The number of sessions you attend depends on the severity of your condition. While the average length of treatment tends to be 20 weeks, your therapist may recommend that you attend more sessions per week if they think you might benefit.

Sessions typically start with you having electrodes attached to your scalp that let the EEG machine read and measure your current brain activities in real-time. There are four brain wave types measured during a biofeedback therapy session:

Beta waves — These brain waves move quickly at low amplitude. They measure alertness, arousal, and how much you are cognitively engaged.
Alpha waves — Alpha waves move slower than beta waves at a higher amplitude. They help therapists read your brain’s level of mental coordination, learning, non-arousal, and the mind-body connection.
Theta waves — Theta waves move slower than alpha waves at a higher amplitude. They show your brain’s memory levels, recognizing vivid imagery, subconscious information processing, and awareness of internal signals.
Delta waves — Delta waves move the slowest of all brain waves at the highest amplitude. They produce information around your deep sleep, healing, and regeneration.

What Are the Benefits of Neurofeedback Therapy?

While neurofeedback therapy can’t cure mental health disorders, it can help regulate how your brain works to help it function more healthily. Neurofeedback therapy helps your central nervous system reorganize and control different brainwave frequencies. The sessions also help your therapist pinpoint specific places in your brain producing the symptoms of your neurological issues. That information helps them come up with more targeted treatment.

Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery believes in providing clients with every tool necessary to help them overcome their issues. Neurofeedback therapy can help clients find relief from the symptoms of a mental health disorder that may be holding them back in life.

Other treatments and programs offered at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery include:

You don’t have to continue living life the way you have. Contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today at 833.448.0127 to get started on a new path.

3 Benefits of Trauma-Informed Treatment for Drug Addiction

Posted on March 25, 2021 by cmarnew

When a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, it’s easy to think that willpower alone should be enough for them to overcome it. However, addiction is not a choice; it has been proven to be a chemical change in the brain. For many, past trauma has impacted the way they use drugs or alcohol. Trauma-informed care can help those who are struggling with addiction work through traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping skills for lifelong recovery.

How Addiction Relates to Trauma

Some individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with something deeper. To get through life or trauma they’ve experienced, they numb and self-soothe to overcome feelings and thoughts that have become too burdensome. This helps them disconnect and cope, but all the while, substance abuse causes even more problems. Understanding how addiction relates to survival can help more people recover from addiction. For example, an overwhelming number of adolescents receiving treatment for substance use disorders end up having a history of trauma exposure. This alone points to trauma being a consideration factor when developing treatment plans for those dealing with addiction. It also explains why trauma-informed treatment is so necessary.

How Trauma-Informed Treatment Can Help

Trauma-informed therapy is based on the belief that a person’s substance use can be their way of coping with negative, overwhelming, or intrusive thoughts and feelings. These can be from memories, current situations, or past traumas. With these clients, safety is a high priority for therapists. Clients often experience triggering moments when learning how trauma has played a role in their lives. Through therapy that takes a trauma-informed approach, the therapist helps the client make positive connections, handle situations that have triggered drug use, and create a toolbox of strategies for overcoming trauma and avoiding substance use in the future.

Trauma-informed therapy used for substance abuse disorders involves:

A respectful, safe place to do the work
An understanding of how mental health-related issues and trauma co-exist with addiction
Leading the client to have self-compassion and self-respect instead of shame and guilt surrounding trauma and addiction
Creating healthy solutions to the identified problems
Finding ways to provide ongoing support

Three Benefits of Trauma-Informed Treatment

There are many benefits of taking this approach, but three stand out as the most helpful:

It provides holistic care
It offers a lower risk of re-traumatization
It uses well-known approaches to therapy

Trauma-informed treatment takes a holistic approach, recognizing that addiction has roots in both chemical and emotional causes. It connects recovery and resilience, trauma and addiction, so that the whole person can be treated. It can be provided in any setting and uses evidence-based information, family engagement, empowerment, and collaboration as its touchpoints for success.

Many people are exposed to trauma on some level or another in their lifetime, but taking a trauma-informed approach allows a therapist who understands how trauma affects a person to have a hand in helping a person through recovery. If someone not as informed on trauma is assisting a person, there can be accidental incidences of re-traumatization. A deeper depth of compassion and sense of safety in trauma-informed therapy helps the client feel more compelled to heal. The extra gentleness provided in these sessions is beneficial for success in recovery.

Trauma-informed treatment uses some of the primary and most evidence-backed methods of treatment available today. Not only is cognitive-behavioral therapy especially effective for co-occurring disorders involving addition and mental health, but EMDR is as well. EMDR uses rapid eye movements to desensitize clients from the negative emotions, detrimental behaviors, and possible stigmas associated with trauma and addiction. It allows clients to process the emotions surrounding their trauma so that they can create healthier behavior patterns.

Trauma-Informed Treatment at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, clients can benefit from therapists who take a trauma-informed treatment approach. Understanding the symptoms of trauma, PTSD, and other related issues can help those suffering from a substance use disorder. Options such as telehealth and outpatient meet various needs, and our approaches offer a complete recovery to clients. Contact us at 833.448.0127 for more information.

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

Posted on February 5, 2021 by cmarnew

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the evidence-based treatments commonly used to treat drug and alcohol addiction. It’s used because it is very effective and can help provide individuals with the tools they need to change their thinking and behaviors. So, what is cognitive-behavioral therapy? At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we use CBT to help our patients reframe their thoughts. Utilizing a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, holistic care, and medications, it is often possible to restore health and mental wellbeing.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT is a type of psychological treatment used to treat both drug and alcohol addiction along with mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. When used properly, CBT can improve function in daily life while also improving quality of life.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on a few specific principles:

Many with addiction or mental health disorders stem from poor, unhelpful, and faulty ways of thinking.
Many times, these problems come from learned behaviors or patterns that are unhealthy.
Those who struggle with these problems can learn to cope with them.
Symptom relief comes from changing thought processes and improving thinking patterns to avoid unhealthy or unhelpful behavior.

By changing thought patterns using cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, it’s possible to stop negative behaviors such as using drugs, self-doubt, and poor self-confidence.

What Are Typical Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Techniques?

Therapists use a number of techniques to help foster changing thought patterns and processes. This may include teaching a person to recognize that their thought processes are unhealthy or unrealistic. It is often necessary for people to learn how to recognize the initial thoughts that typically lead to negative behaviors, such as self-doubt or inaccurate thinking about their circumstances.

From there, therapists work to help individuals learn how to use problem-solving skills to deal with challenges. It is very common for people who have addictions to turn to these substances when they are faced with intense situations, such as financial difficulties, relationship problems, or work-related problems. Providing a way to deal with this in real-time to avoid negative outcomes is critical.

In addition to this, those receiving CBT may also learn how to face their fears instead of avoiding them or worsening their anxiety about those fears. They may engage in role-playing to work through some of their most difficult situations. Other times, they will engage in activities to calm the mind and relax even while facing intense stress. All of this can contribute to improved mental health and confidence.

CBT Is One Treatment Solution We Offer

What is cognitive-behavioral therapy in terms of a person’s overall addiction treatment? CBT is just one component of the care a person receives at our location. Whether through in-person or telehealth, our team works with individuals to teach the strategies needed to change negative thought patterns. They also learn how to engage in life with more confidence.

Among CBT, we also offer a number of other evidence-based treatment programs. These work alongside CBT to help restore health. Some of what we offer includes:

A combination of these programs can often lead to healing and improvement of quality of life.

Call Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery Today for Help

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used treatment options, but CBT isn’t the only option for many people. Utilizing a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques along with other holistic and evidence-based treatments, our team at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can offer the support needed to overcome addiction. To learn more about treatment options, call us at 833.448.0127 or connect with us online now.