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Colorado: The Party Friendly State
Denver is known as the drug- and alcohol-friendly city. But all this friendliness has repercussions that spread throughout not only Denver but the surrounding counties as well. What’s going on? If you are looking for a Denver addiction treatment center, give us a call today!
Opioid Epidemic in Colorado
Colorado is currently confronting an epidemic of opioid use disorders and overdoses. It has been estimated by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment that 224,000 Coloradan’s misuse of prescription drugs every year. The rate of drug overdoses eclipses the national rate with opioid overdoses being instrumental in a large proportion of overdose deaths.
The National Surveys on Drug Use and Health Substance Use and Mental Disorders in Selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas reported that the highest concentration of substance abuse was in the Denver-Aurora-Bloomfield metro area. That includes the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Park. The nonmedical use of pain relievers in this area is about 25% higher than the rest of the state.
Prescription drug overdose prevention efforts are especially high in Jefferson County, where the growing older population is more vulnerable to chronic pain. There is a higher frequency of shady prescription practices and patient behaviors and a higher rate of ER visits and deaths from opioid overdoses.
Colorado is a Drug Wholesaler to the West
The main drug market areas in Colorado are in the Front Range counties. Denver is a major regional distribution center for an assortment of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and MDMA. Wholesalers in Denver supply retailers in basically every city in Colorado as well as cities in several other states.
The Big Four Illicit Threats
- Methamphetamine—Abuse of meth is increasing in Colorado. According to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Colorado Department of Human Services, since 1999 Emergency treatment admissions for methamphetamine have increased each year but admissions for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana declined.
- Cocaine—Powdered cocaine is accessible through the state and crack cocaine is found mainly in the urban population centers. It is the drug most likely to be associated with violent crime in the state.
- Heroin—Heroin is readily available in the metro and suburban areas. Most new heroin users in Colorado are young adults who smoke or snort the drug, believing that is safer than injecting it.
- Club Drugs—There are increasing availability and abuse of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, among teenagers and young adults. LSD is also presenting an increasing threat in Colorado. Typical users are 14- to 21- year old males who use it with an additional substance, usually MDMA.
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
Alcohol Use in Colorado
The Denver Public Health Department released information that 27% of Denver adults binge drink. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women over two hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Binge drinking is associated with several health problems including car accidents, falls, violence, and chronic diseases like depression, high blood pressure, stroke cirrhosis, and cancer.
Out of about 30,000 people who went to the Denver Health emergency room for a substance-related issue, the main cause was alcohol abuse. Thirty-eight percent of motor-vehicle fatalities in Denver involved alcohol. This is a high proportion when compared to other urban areas, according to national transportation statistics.
Supporting factors for the high rate of alcohol misuse are the low culture of alcohol and low alcohol taxes in the area. Increasing the prices for alcohol through higher taxes is one method for curbing excessive use. Colorado currently ranks 39th in taxes on wine, 46th in taxes on beer and 47th in taxes on spirits.
Colorado ranks 45th among the states in alcohol-related deaths. Researchers found that alcohol deaths in Colorado rose 57% between 2005 and 2017—20 percentage points higher than the national rate. Nearly 10 in 100,000 Americans died from an alcohol-related death in 2017. It was nearly 17 in 100,000 in Colorado.
Finding the Right Treatment for You in Jefferson County, Colorado
Chances are, you (or a loved one) are right now struggling with one or more substance use disorders (SUDs). You may be wondering whether a SUD can be treated. The truth is yes, it can, but it isn’t easy. Because it is a chronic disease, you can’t just stop for a few days and be cured. Most people need long-term care, beginning with detoxification followed by treatment and therapy.
Because no single treatment is right for everyone, for treatment to work, you need to find the right type of treatment program for you. An assessment by a professional addiction specialist or your doctor will help determine which would be best. Considerations might be:
- Medically assisted detox—This is only the first stage of treatment. If you need to use drugs or alcohol to feel normal, then you are likely to need detox to get through withdrawal. Stopping “cold-turkey” is never a good idea. Some symptoms can put your life at risk.
- Inpatient treatment—You will live at a hospital or medical center. Not common but helpful if you have a serious medical or mental health issue.
- Residential rehab—You will live at the rehab center for 1 to 3 months. This is beneficial if you have a serious problem and have struggled to stay sober previously. If you’ve been in an outpatient program and relapsed, you may need the structure and controlled environment of a residential program. If you have an underlying mental health issue you will need a treatment center that is experienced in dual diagnosis treatment.
- Outpatient program—Outpatient programs allow you to attend treatment sessions during the day but live at home. It is a less expensive option that is typically safe for people with a mild to moderate withdrawal. It is best if your physical and mental health is good, has support at home and doesn’t have a long history of substance use.
Treatment of Mental Health Issues in Colorado
Hospital emergency rooms are set up to serve people with gunshot wounds or heart attacks, not mental health issues. But they are full of patients having suicidal thoughts or panic attacks, looking for some kind of treatment. They are typically given phone numbers of local therapists but no treatment.
The total adult population of Colorado 4.3 million. It is estimated that the number of people with schizophrenia is 48,000 and 96,000 for those with severe bipolar disorder.
It is about a five-month wait to see a psychiatrist in Denver. Colorado only has 15 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. That’s compared to 92 primary care physicians to every 100,000. According to the American Hospital Association, Colorado hospitals have fewer psychiatric hospital beds per capita than most states.
As a result, a statewide advocacy organization, Mental Health Colorado, is committed to helping people get access to mental health and substance use treatment. Governor Jared Polis pointed out the need to reach out to the rural and agricultural communities to make sure they are being heard.
Policy Recommendations
Like every state, Colorado incarcerates more people with severe mental illness than it hospitalizes. Criminal justice officials are countering this with new programs designed to divert individuals with severe mental illness away from the criminal justice system. The two most hopeful programs are mental health courts and crisis intervention training (CIT).
In addition, these policies have been recommended:
- Stop eliminating public psychiatric beds
- Restore a sufficient number of beds to create access to inpatient care for qualifying people in crisis
- Make use of the state’s civil commitment (involuntary) laws to provide more timely treatment to people in need of treatment for symptoms of psychiatric crisis and reduce the consequences of non-treatment to them, their families, and communities.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Dual Diagnosis
Approximately 50% of people with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse. Thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have at least one co-occurring mental illness. Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29% abuse either drugs or alcohol.
When you have a SUD and a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, it is called a comorbid condition or a dual diagnosis. Dealing with substance addiction is even more difficult when you are also dealing with a mental disorder.
Mental health and substance issues have unique symptoms that may inhibit your ability to function at school or work, maintain a stable home life, handle difficulties, and have connections with others. And the comorbid conditions also affect each other, which further complicates the problem. When a mental health problem goes untreated, the SUD gets worse. Likewise, when substance abuse increases, mental health problems usually get worse too.
What This Means to You Right Now in Lakewood Colorado
Because addiction is a complex brain disease that affects brain function and behavior, people need quick access to treatment that is specifically designed for them.
Detox in Lakewood Colorado
Like most people, you will probably need a detox program to help you safely through the symptoms of withdrawal. This is not treatment in itself, but the first step in the process. Patients who don’t secure further treatment usually restart their drug or alcohol use.
A study of treatment centers found that medications were used in almost 80% of detoxifications. Symptoms of withdrawal from substances can be physically and psychologically painful. Alcohol and opioids produce significant withdrawal symptoms, including sweating and nausea. These symptoms can lead to serious complications if not supervised by a medical professional.
Cocaine and marijuana withdrawal typically presents as emotional issues, including irritability and depression. Severe depression symptoms can lead to suicidal thoughts. These presentations can last a few days to a few months. Therefore, medically assisted treatment (MAT) is used during detox and into treatment. MAT is also used as an aid to relapse prevention.
Treatment Programs in Lakewood, Colorado
There is a treatment center that offers several treatment programs. Because every person is different, treatment plans are designed to suit your specific needs. Programs include:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)—This is for patients that may need a structured treatment program without needing 24-hour supervision or medical assistance. It allows the patient the benefits of residential treatment in conjunction with the real-life advantages of an intensive outpatient program. The program is 5 days a week, 6 hours per day.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)—The IOP is 3 to 5 days a week, and 3 hours per day. Day and evening schedules are available.
- Basic Outpatient Treatment (OP)—OP is considered a step down from IOP. Patients attend sessions for 3 hours, 1 or 2 days a week. Day and evening schedules are available.
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment—If you have a substance use disorder and a comorbid medical or mental health issue, both conditions need to be treated at the same time. Your addiction may not have caused the comorbid conditions, but your addictive behavior will worsen any other conditions.
- Holistic and Alternative Treatment—Depending on the length of time, you have battled addiction, proposals for alternative treatments will vary. A unified program of evidence-based therapy and therapies such as meditation and mindfulness, acupuncture, or neurofeedback therapy may be proposed.
Therapies Used at Footprints in Lakewood
The usual therapies used in our programs include:
- Individual Therapy—This helps the individual address the way his behaviors have influenced the negative outcomes in his life. It helps the substance user take a realistic look at his choices.
- Group Therapy—Group therapy holds the individual responsible for his own behavior. It also allows for discussions of coping skills.
- Family Therapy—Individuals with substance use disorders are likely to have broken trust with their families. Family therapy helps to mend those fragile relationships.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—The purpose of DBT is to help patients learn to pursue goals while managing the stress of daily life.
- Motivational Interviewing—Patients are asked to provide their own opinions and ideas for solutions regarding their care.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—CBT is useful in treating mental health disorders and in helping patients learn how to manage stressful life situations.
- Other, individualized therapies—Because treatment plans need to be tailored to the needs of the specific patient, other therapies may be prescribed such as:
- 12-Step Programs
- Yoga Therapy
- Nutrition and Wellness Counseling
Achieving Life-long Sobriety in Jefferson County, Colorado
Footprints to Recovery in Colorado offers programs to specifically assist you in a smooth transition into a more independent life and continuing sobriety. These programs are immensely helpful in relapse prevention.
- Recovery Homes—Sometimes referred to as sober living, recovery housing, or independent living. It is a drug-free, structured, safe, and secure environment for people in recovery to learn valuable coping and relapse prevention skills in the real world.
- Alumni Community—People who involve themselves in continual after treatment are more likely to stay abstinent. Our Alumni Community is a place for alumni, friends, and family to support each other and promote community service.
Recovery Meetings in Lakewood, Colorado
- Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous—Twelve-step programs have been an effective method to maintain sobriety. Recovering addicts learn new ways to cope with the temptations to relapse and are held accountable for their actions. To find a meeting near you, contact the Denver Area Central Committee of Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also contact Narcotics Anonymous through the Mile High Area of Narcotics Anonymous.
- SMART Recovery—At Self-Management and Recovery Training meetings, participants help each other with any issues regarding any addiction, whether it is drugs, alcohol, gambling, or over-eating. There are no local meetings in the Lakewood area, but you can access meetings online at smartrecovery.org.
How Will I Pay for Treatment in Jefferson County, Colorado?
This is one of the main concerns for people who need treatment. And one of the main reasons people don’t seek treatment. Footprints to Recovery has financial advisors who can help you figure out a way to get you started.
- Insurance—Footprints to Recovery accepts most major insurances and will coordinate with your provider.
- Private pay—If you would rather not use your insurance, or your insurance only covers part of the program, we accept private payments and offer flexible payment plans.
- Financing—If those options don’t work for you, we have an affiliation with Prosper Healthcare who offers special loan packages for treatment.
- State-Funded Rehab—To combat substance abuse in Colorado, the government has allocated $7.6 million in funds for nonprofit addiction treatment centers. There are 28 centers in the Denver area. You can call (800) 607-2263 to speak to an advisor.
- Medicaid—Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income families or individuals, people with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women. Anyone covered by Medicaid in Colorado can be covered for substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation. You can contact the call center for rehab locations at (800) 304-2219.
What Makes Lakewood, Colorado Special?
Lakewood is a Mile High City suburb that is just 15 minutes from Denver and is the largest city in Jefferson County, with a population of 154,958 as of 2017. It offers a bunch of things to do, from special events to get involved in the arts. From 2014 onward, Lakewood has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live. Being a great place to live includes being a great place to work. A growing economy helps the tax base, so there is funding for city improvements.
The city of Lakewood was incorporated in 1969 as Jefferson City. The residents “overwhelmingly disliked” the name because they believed it would be confused with other Jefferson Cities in Colorado and Missouri. An election was held, and the name was changed to Lakewood.
Due to its location near the Rocky Mountains, there are a plethora of cultural offerings and other diverse things to do. A collection of lakes provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Facts in Lakewood, Colorado
Government data shows that the United States is diverse in its consumption of intoxicating substances. Every year the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey Americans age 12 and older. Participants are asked about whether they use opioid painkillers for nonmedical reasons, marijuana, alcohol, or cocaine.
Colorado is the only state that ranks as a top consumer of all four. Heavy consumption of marijuana is not a surprise because it is legal there.
Thousands of families and individuals in Colorado are affected by drug and alcohol misuse. In 2015, the Colorado Behavioral Health Barometer reported that 85% of the people over age 12 who had substance use dependence issues from 2010 to 2014 did not go for treatment at a rehab or any other type of facility. Substance use disorders are also higher for people over the age of 12 in Colorado than the national average.
A report from the nonprofit group Mental Health America found that Colorado ranked 43rd of all 50 states in the prevalence of mental health issues and access to treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 19.55% of residents are living with some kind of mental illness. That’s the third-highest rate in the country.
According to Mental Health Colorado president Andrew Romanoff, “Our kids have some of the highest substance use disorder rates in the country. Most kids are not getting screened appropriately and not getting treated effectively, and they’re suffering and struggling as a result.”
Are You Ready?
Recovery is possible. Are you ready to help yourself or a loved one achieve a full and fulfilling life? It’s as easy as contacting us at Footprints to Recovery. And as difficult as picking up your phone.
We have admissions specialists waiting to talk to you day and night, seven days a week. A consultation is free and completely confidential. Now that you are armed with information, you have no more excuses. Contact us today.
Questions about treatment options?
Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.
