Substance abuse has long been a problem in Denver Colorado. From the 1960s when marijuana first exploded onto the scene, to the methamphetamine surge of the late 70s and 80s, and now with the opioid epidemic.
Denver has always had issues with opioids – most commonly black tar heroin imported by small cells from a tiny town in Mexico. However, much like the rest of the country, fentanyl is plaguing the streets of Denver, leading to an explosion of overdoses with never-before-seen increases in frequency.
Keep reading to find out more about resources for alcohol and drug treatment, including the suitability of Pathfinders Recovery Center in Auroro as a top Denver detox.
Life Threatening Issues
In Denver, fentanyl was responsible for the deaths of 17 individuals in 2018. Preliminary data suggest that 235 persons in the city died from fentanyl-related overdoses last year. This accounts for roughly half of the city’s total 472 drug-related deaths. According to the Office of the Medical Examiner, as of March 31, 2022, there have been 12 drug-related deaths involving synthetic opioids in the city.
This is a frightening surge that’s continuing to grow. Combined with the looming presence of staple drugs like crystal meth, marijuana, and cocaine, the need for Denver detox facilities is higher than ever.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what Denver addiction treatment looks like, including facilities for alcohol addiction (Denver is also famous for its alcohol consumption) that help manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms, in addition to drug detox facilities. If there was ever a time when medical detox was one of the most needed resources, now is that time.
We’ll also look at how Denver, Colorado, is battling prescription drugs and dealing with mental health issues in a focused effort on mental and physical health for residents enrolled in a treatment program.
Denver, Colorado Addiction Treatment
Overdose deaths are on the rise, making it harder to put a stop to the drug crisis. The rising toll from opioid overdoses in Colorado underscores the need of easy access to treatment. Substance misuse and the crimes that often accompany it are two of Denver’s many challenges as a major metropolis.
About 22.5 million Americans have a problem with substance abuse, but only a fraction of them get help. Still, many people find long-term success in recovery after undergoing such treatment and thereafter attending 12-step or other fellowship meetings regularly. Treatment is more likely to be successful if it takes into account the individual’s circumstances, such as the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders.
If you want to help a patient, you need to treat them completely and tend to both mental and physical health, along with substance abuse disorder AND mental health disorders.
This robust form of treatment is found most often in holistic addiction treatment facilities after clients complete an inpatient medical detox. Multiple substances require a medical detox, including opioids, alcohol, benzos, and at times, methamphetamine.
Denver, Colorado Inpatient Medical Detox Process
While there are various options for drug detox in Denver, the best one for you is dependent on your substance of choice. Medically controlled withdrawal occurs during detox and can be physically and emotionally stressful, depending on the substance being detoxed from.
Alcohol detox is dangerous to try without medical guidance. This withdrawal is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including cravings, drowsiness, sleeplessness, anxiety, nausea, perspiration, hypertension, and tremors (DTs).
Medical specialists can prescribe medications to aid with withdrawal symptoms, keep an eye on your vitals, and provide counseling to help you cope with the mental shifts that come with kicking an addiction. Dehydration can be treated with herbal teas and broth, and the patient’s nutrition is monitored and supplemented as necessary.
As soon as the patient has completed medical detox, they can move on to a more comprehensive treatment program designed to ensure long-term sobriety with a focus on addiction treatment.
Denver, Colorado Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
Inpatient Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Use
A residential treatment program is typically the best option to treat the full patient and all his or her health issues when they are ready to take the initial steps toward recovery. Care for the client’s physical, mental, and behavioral health requirements, as well as continual observation, are all part of residential therapy.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that therapy is most successful when it lasts at least three months and maybe up to 27 months. Medications that assist a client in gradually weaning off of illegal substances or treating co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression may be part of the treatment plan.
You can get family or marriage counseling, as well as behavioral or motivational treatment, one-on-one or in a group. In addition to treating the addiction itself, the patient will also get treatment for any additional medical requirements, such as malnutrition, and will be monitored to assist prevent relapse.
Partial Hospitalization for Addiction Treatment
A shorter stay or fewer associated costs may make partial hospitalization an attractive option for certain individuals. Clients who are unable to commit to a full-time stay in treatment nevertheless benefit from the same pharmacological counseling, medical attention, and cognitive or behavioral therapy offered in partial hospitalization.
Since the client is not residing at the institution, expenses are reduced and the individual is free to pursue other interests throughout treatment. This strategy has a better chance of success if the client has a strong sober community at home.
Partial hospitalization usually takes place after alcohol detox or medical detox is complete. This form of rehab is intensive outpatient therapy, as clients will reside in the facility for the entire portion of the day.
In the evenings, they are released and allowed to go home to sleep and be with their family members. Again, this could be a potential way to mitigate some of the costs or rectify a situation where permanent residency isn’t feasible.
Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse
The third option for recovery from substance abuse involves clients living at home while attending regularly scheduled medical and counseling appointments. In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, outpatient care often include individual and group sessions, as well as medical and psychological methods for maintaining abstinence.
Outpatient therapy might be the best option for clients who have someone to keep an eye on them to make sure they aren’t abused, as well as for those who require a more flexible and affordable treatment plan.
No matter what kind of therapy a person chooses, attending recovery groups regularly can help them maintain their sobriety and live happier lives. Know that detoxing from drugs or alcohol may be the first bold step toward a life free from abuse if you’re ready to take that step.
Late Recovery Process: Meetings for Drug Addiction In Denver
After receiving therapy, it may be helpful to attend recovery meetings. Attendees at these gatherings may count on consistent encouragement and the opportunity to learn useful new skills as they work to break free from their addiction. These meetings, which range from AA and NA to SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training), are held all throughout the United States and are accessible to anybody who wants to attend.
They help many individuals and are available at no cost; they also are not affiliated with any one religion. Which one you end up choosing to participate in is totally up to you and the needs you have at the time.
These can be excellent programs for coping with drug cravings in combination with family therapy and other support pillars after exiting treatment centers in Denver, CO.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings can aid in abstaining from alcohol. An opportunity to talk to people who are going through the same things as you and share your experiences is a huge help to those who are trying to beat alcoholism.
The meetings provide both a place to learn something new and a steady source of encouragement to keep sober as a way of life. Many people find that spending time with others who share their values and goals is an effective way to keep their sights set on the future and break out of negative routines.
Numerous people’s lives have been turned around with the aid of AA’s spirituality-based teachings and the group’s unwavering support.
Narcotics Anonymous
NA sessions may be helpful if you’re struggling with a drug addiction rather than an alcohol addiction. Participants in these gatherings have found success in overcoming their need for narcotics.
Its mission is to aid in raising awareness and empowering folks in the recovery process. People are also given guidance on how to interact with their addiction histories, which can aid in their continued recovery.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is evidence-based, whereas 12-step programs like AA and NA focus on peer support and community involvement. If you don’t feel comfortable with the AA or NA culture, SMART may be a suitable fit for you because it caters to a different demographic. The primary elements of the idea are geared on educating individuals with addictions about their condition and equipping them with the means to overcome it.
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon
The people who attend Al-Anon and Nar-Anon sessions are the ones whose lives have been damaged by the addictions of a loved one. Attendees of these gatherings gain knowledge and emotional support. These gatherings provide families with a feeling of community and a source of strength and hope as they struggle to cope with the out-of-control behavior of a loved one.
Specific Forms of Treatment Offered at Denver Treatment Facilities
These specific forms of treatment are the most widely available at Denver drug rehabilitation facilities. There are multiple forms of treatment used to combat substance and alcohol use disorders, but these seem to be the most effective at achieving long-term recovery.
In addition to the forms listed below, many treatment locations offer holistic forms of therapy. This is a more all-natural approach to recovery that provides healing for the mind, body, and soul. The following forms are considered evidence-based, although many clients and counselors consider holistic options to be evidence-based as well.
Family and Group Therapy
Patients have the option of engaging in treatment supervised by a therapist either one-on-one or in a small group setting, where they will have the support of their peers and/or the inclusion of their family or other important others.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that stresses the need to challenge one’s own cognitive patterns and replace them with more beneficial ones. Many forms of drug abuse are amenable to CBT therapy. When people are treated using CBT methods, they gain the ability to identify and alter their dysfunctional patterns of behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid in the development of coping mechanisms, the recognition of potentially harmful circumstances and the development of responses to such circumstances, and the avoidance of relapse. This method is useful since it may be used in conjunction with other approaches. CBT can be used to treat co-occurring mental or physical health conditions, and the skills acquired during treatment carry over into daily life.
Contingency Management
When used to promote or reinforce sobriety, Contingency Management (CM) may be useful in the treatment of a variety of drug use disorders, including those related to alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and stimulants.
Using tangible incentives, such as the promise of a better future if they stay clean, this treatment approach can help those struggling with drug dependency stay on the path to recovery. Dropout and relapse rates, two significant treatment-related problems, may be mitigated with the use of CM.
Long-Term Recovery In Denver
If you’re looking for a source for achieving long-term recovery in Denver, Pathfinders Recovery offers multiple levels of care and approaches to treatment. With the help of our compassionate staff, our clients work closely to follow a personalized treatment plan that gives them the best opportunity to return to a normal life.
To find out how we can help you achieve these results, contact a member of our Admissions team today!
