Drug Addiction and Treatment Options in Colorado
Drug abuse is one of the most serious public health issues in Colorado today. The use of illegal drugs and prescription medications is widespread throughout the state, not just in big cities and low-income areas. Colorado is ninth in the U.S. for the highest prevalence of substance abuse and first for the number of people who need treatment but do not obtain it. 40.32% of adults in Colorado use illegal drugs and more than one-quarter million Colorado citizens over the age of 12 abuse prescription drugs.
The need for drug rehabilitation in Colorado is great, so there is also strong demand in the treatment industry. However, more than 95,000 people who need treatment are not receiving it. This is a major setback since drug rehabilitation is an essential part of the recovery process.
The good news is that admissions to Colorado substance addiction treatment centers increased nearly two-fold between 2012 and 2016, with the exception of alcohol users. There are numerous treatment options and rehab centers available in the state of Colorado. You can choose from inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs for adults and adolescents.
Causes of Drug Abuse and Addiction in Colorado
There are many factors that cause drug abuse and addiction in Colorado.
Psychological Problems
Drug abuse and addiction are often rooted in psychological problems. Anxiety and symptoms of depression were reported by 32% of adults in Colorado. These symptoms are prevalent among people in every age group. The most common mental disorders in Colorado are anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Drugs give people a sense of power over their lives and, at the same time, make them feel better about themselves. This type of dependence cannot be cured overnight.
Family Problems
Family problems are another common cause of drug abuse and addiction. Many people start experimenting with illegal drugs because they want to get away from their family problems. Substance dependence often starts when a person tries to escape the difficulties and pressures in their relationships.
Availability of Drugs
The availability of drugs is a common reason for drug abuse and addiction. In Colorado, powdered cocaine and alcohol are the most commonly abused drugs. Marijuana use is also rampant in the state. This is because Colorado has legalized marijuana use for recreational and medicinal purposes. The state’s lenient marijuana laws make it easier for people to get marijuana and abuse it. The drug has a very strong effect on people who are not used to it.
Unemployment
There has been a remarkable decrease from 6.9% in 2020 to 5.4% in 2021 because of the halting of federal unemployment benefits. Unemployment is still a cause of drug abuse and addiction. A person who is jobless may start abusing drugs since it is the only way of coping with a difficult situation. The free time and idleness that come with unemployment can make it easier to start abusing drugs.
Commonly Abused Drugs in Colorado
There are different drugs in Colorado. These are the most commonly abused drugs.
Alcohol
Alcohol use is widespread in Colorado, which has high alcohol consumption rates when compared to other states. In Colorado, binge drinking is most common among people aged 25 to 34 and second among those aged 18 to 24. Colorado is the 16th most prevalent state in terms of alcohol consumption.
This was computed based on the fact that over 20% of adults in Colorado admit to binge drinking on a regular basis. Every day in 2017, more than 60 people were detained for driving under the influence, which resulted in 600 fatal crashes in 2019.
Cocaine
Powdered cocaine is still considered to be one of the most dangerous drugs in this regard. It is one of the most abused drugs in Colorado. Colorado’s geographic location may play a role in the state’s high cocaine use. Its strategic location and easy access to eight separate interstates make it an ideal spot for drug dealers crossing the U.S. border to the north or south. According to the most recent Colorado data, 3.9% of people aged 12 and up use cocaine in a given year.
Between 2002 and 2019, the percentage of people aged 12 and older who had used cocaine in the previous year declined from 2.5% to 2.0%. The most concerning development is the increased usage of cocaine by older people. In a 2017 report, around 4,300 older persons reported consuming the chemical on an average day in the previous month.
Marijuana
Marijuana-related traffic accidents have increased dramatically in Colorado since Amendment 64 was implemented five years ago. The number of fatal car accidents involving marijuana climbed by more than 150% between 2013 and 2018. Marijuana-alone citations went from 6.3% in 2014 to 8.7% in 2020, and marijuana-in-combination with alcohol or other narcotics citations increased from 5.7% in 2014 to 22.7% in 2020. The state has enacted legislation to regulate marijuana usage and distribution. Adults over 21 can buy and possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana at a time, and it can only be smoked by adults over 21. Marijuana use is prohibited in public areas, but employers can still conduct drug tests and make hiring decisions based on the results.
Methamphetamine
In Colorado, methamphetamine use is relatively uncommon. According to a 2018 study, 300 deaths were caused by crystal meth in Colorado. Methamphetamine is a stimulant. It boosts the individual’s mental and physical energy by releasing large amounts of dopamine into the brain. This is the reason why many people are addicted to methamphetamine. It is manufactured from common ingredients, including pseudoephedrine, which is found in many cold medicines. Methamphetamine is an illicit drug that can be a white powder, crystal, or rock. It is also called meth, crystal, crank, and ice.
Treatment Options in Colorado?
Drug rehabilitation in Colorado is available to individuals who have been through drug addiction. Treatment in a rehabilitation center is a long-term treatment program for drug addiction. It helps in regaining control over the individual’s life and helps them to overcome the addiction. Addiction treatment centers have a number of programs.
Inpatient Programs
Inpatient programs are treatment programs that include 24-hour medical monitoring, staff care, and all meals. This option allows the client to live in the center for a certain period of time. These centers are more expensive but provide a higher level of care. Inpatient programs are also known as residential treatment centers.
Outpatient Program
Outpatient programs help the clients in recovering from addiction. They can be conducted at community health centers or in the client’s workplace if their employment is unaffected by drug addiction. Outpatient options are cheaper than inpatient programs. Outpatient treatment centers may offer additional services for the clients, such as individual counseling, support meetings, and medical monitoring.
Support Groups
Support groups are support networks that help clients stay sober. They help the client in maintaining or strengthening their recoveries. These groups provide a sense of belonging and motivate the client to stay sober and avoid drugs and alcohol. These groups are quite effective because they provide a sense of belonging and support to the individual who is suffering from drug addiction.
Detoxification Centers
Detoxification centers give needed medical help to people who are affected by drug and alcohol abuse. These centers provide medical and psychological monitoring to the clients and provide short-term help. In these centers, the client is monitored by qualified professionals under 24 hours supervision.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a kind of treatment that helps clients in overcoming drug addiction. These programs treat the client’s mental health and provide necessary medical help to deal with their situation. Psychotherapists can be trained for either individual or group sessions.
Behavior Modification
This is a type of drug addiction treatment that helps clients in ways other than medication. It focuses on changing the client’s behavior and helping them to stay sober. Behavioral therapy focuses on treating the client’s mental health. It helps the clients in regaining control over their lives and helps them to overcome the addiction. Behavioral therapy is effective and helps the clients in changing their negative behaviors.
Medication
Medication is one of the most effective treatment options for drug addiction. Medication helps in blocking the effects of opiates and other drugs. These medications reduce withdrawal symptoms and provide relief to the client after quitting drugs. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can only be done under the strict supervision of a qualified physician.
Significance of Drug Rehab in Colorado
Drug rehabilitation in Colorado is significant because it helps the clients to overcome their addictions. Here are some of the benefits of drug rehabilitation.
Conducive and Safe Environment
In Colorado, the rehabilitation centers are culturally sensitive and have a healthy environment to help the clients stay sober. The environment of the centers is safe, comfortable, and relaxing; therefore, one can focus on healing and growth. A drug rehabilitation program provides a non-judgmental atmosphere where the clients can speak honestly about their struggles and can receive effective treatment.
Helps in Breaking the Cycle
Drug rehabilitation in Colorado helps individuals to break their drug addictions and stay sober. It helps the clients to understand why they are addicted to drugs and changes their negative behavior. The clients are treated with care; the client’s life is no longer controlled by the drug, and so they are able to make a new set of healthy habits.
A Holistic Approach
In these centers, there is a holistic approach to drug addiction. They learn to make new healthy habits and live healthy lifestyles. The clients are able to lead independent lives. They are highly motivated to stay sober and to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Professional Treatment
In Colorado, a drug rehab program is provided by trained professionals. The clients are given effective treatments. They receive medical and psychological monitoring. They are taught new ways of living and given functional skills to lead a sober life.
Aftercare
The programs that are offered by drug rehabilitation centers in Colorado include different rehabilitation programs that help the client to continue their recovery after treatment. Aftercare includes different support services to help the client stay sober. It helps the clients in making new, positive, healthy lives. These services include sober living facilities, group meetings and counseling, peer support groups, and regular medical checkups.
Choosing a Treatment Center in Colorado
The treatment centers in Colorado help individuals to overcome their addictions. These centers have a number of programs according to the needs of the client. Since every individual is different, so is their rehabilitation process. Here are several considerations when choosing a treatment center.
Rehabilitation Programs
Drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs in Colorado vary from complete residential treatment programs to outpatient services. Inpatient programs include 24-hour medical, dental, and psychological attention. These programs also provide recreational opportunities to the clients. Outpatient treatment programs focus on social support services, education, and employment. Choosing an appropriate rehab center is also dependent upon the severity of the addiction.
Length of Stay
The length of stay in drug rehabilitation in Colorado varies with the client’s needs and depends on the program and treatment requirements. Some of the programs can be a brief treatment program ranging from three to six months, but some programs need two to three years in order to treat the addiction completely.
Drug abuse and addiction are major problems found in Colorado. It can affect individuals, families, and communities. Addiction treatment can be complicated and dangerous for clients if the treatment is not done by a specialist. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation help clients overcome their addictions and live drug-free lives.
