What is dual diagnosis treatment? A dual diagnosis is necessary if you or someone you love struggles with addiction that’s complicated by a secondary mental health disorder. For example, depression or anxiety are often present in clients who have a substance use disorder. For treatment to be successful, holistic care that addresses each issue separately…
A National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2017, stated that about 18.7 million adults in the United States had a substance use disorder. That equates to 1 in 12 adults, which means that everyone likely interacts with someone who is struggling with…
When you were growing up, a family member probably taught you skills like how to cook, clean, and bathe. Those skills are vital. But there are other skills that parents may not have taught because they may struggle with them themselves. And the importance of life skills, such as dealing with disappointment, is much harder…
We are very excited to share that AspenRidge has officially launched AspenRidge REACH, our first-ever Online Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)! Over 128,000 Coloradans were dependent upon or abusing illicit drugs last year. There are ten counties in Colorado alone that have no treatment locations even though they experience a high number of drug overdose deaths…
You may have heard the term life skills before and wondered about what are life skills after addiction? Life skills are abilities and behaviors that allow you to deal with everyday life. When you are in addiction, these skills fall by the wayside as the focus becomes centered on your drug of choice. In addition,…
Many different rehab centers have alumni programs for people who have just completed a treatment program. But why choose a rehab alumni program? Alumni programs are a form of aftercare in Lakewood, CO for those who want and need ongoing support from others who went to the same rehab facility. You are also able to…
My passion for meditation and Eastern spirituality sprang from a more than emphatic suggestion from my first AA sponsor. In retrospect, it must have been painfully obvious to my sponsor that I was in need of practical skills to assist me in managing my overactive mind, coping with a barrage of chaotic emotions, shifting my…
In the world of addiction, there are two terms used to discuss the self-work one must do: Sobriety and Recovery. Sobriety speaks to the abstinence of the act of using substances. Generally, this is the first goal of substance abuse treatment, and an essential one. Substances cloud our minds, affecting our judgement, our emotions and…
The holidays are full of family, feasts, parties, and gifts. It can be a time full of love, community, delicious treats, and exciting moments, but it can also be a time of stress, guilt, financial difficulties, and overstimulation. The holidays can be complicated for our emotions, and even more complicated when we try to stuff…
Heart racing, stomach churning, face perspiring, muscles tense, feeling like you’re about to lose control! These are some of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety, if left untreated, can negatively impact work, relationships, and mental and physical health. It can affect self- esteem and break down our immune systems over time. There are medications available to…