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Aug 25
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Longmont Mental Health Treatment Options When Utilizing a Full Day Treatment

Longmont Mental Health Treatment Options When Utilizing a Full-Day Treatment

By Mental Health

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “13.5 percent of young adults aged 18 to 25 had both a substance use disorder and any mental illness in the past year.” Additionally, “Nearly 1 in 3 adults had either a substance use disorder or any mental illness in the past year, and 46 percent of young adults 18-25 had either a substance use disorder or any mental illness.” These statistics are emblematic of why it is critical to treat issues of mental health in tandem with those of addiction. In Colorado, many Longmont mental health treatment programs offer this dual focus.

Longmont Mental Health Treatment Options: Understanding Full-Day Treatment

When it comes to treating co-occurring issues of mental health and addiction, there are many recovery options. These options range from residential and inpatient programs to non-residential and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) to community and 12-Step recovery programs.

Many people are also under the misconception that comorbidities of mental health and addiction correlate to extreme diagnoses and thus require residential treatment. While, of course, everyone’s recovery needs are relative, not everyone with comorbidities requires inpatient care. For example, an individual may be struggling with addiction and an anxiety disorder that may best be treated via medication and psychotherapy but is not at the level of severity that requires a residential treatment program.

However, regardless of which treatment program one begins their journey with, the important part is that they begin it by working with a professional. Not only can a professional or specialist in the treatment field help determine the right recovery route to take, but they can also help determine if issues of comorbidities are present. The truth is that co-occurring disorders can often be hard to detect because one often overshadows the other, making a diagnosis difficult.

An Ideal Recovery Setting: Longmonth Mental Health Treatment

Just as important as which treatment program one chooses is where the recovery center that offers that treatment program is located. Some individuals may choose to relocate for treatment, while others may opt to stay local. However, regardless of the distance one wishes to travel, Colorado can offer the ideal setting for anyone’s recovery program. This is especially true in the City of Longmont.

Longmont mental health treatment options are ideal for those who want to experience some of the best natural settings that the country has to offer. Many people may not realize the very real and quantifiable effects that nature can have on one’s psyche. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Besides physical health improvements, nature exposure can bring about positive influence upon psychological constructs such as boredom, friendliness, well-being, and liveliness,” and “across more than one hundred studies on nature/wildlife exposure, stress mitigation has been shown to be one of the most consistent and important psychological benefits.”

Longmont is also less than an hour away from Denver, one of the most unique urban hubs in the country. Being able to be hiking in the Rocky Mountains (less than 40 minutes away from The Redpoint Center in Longmont) one day and engaging in a fast-paced yet craft-driven cultural hub the next can be the perfect variety of settings for those needing stimulation in recovery.

The Redpoint Center and Longmont Mental Health Treatment Options and Modalities

Equally as important as what happens outside of the recovery center is what is offered inside. At The Redpoint Center, we believe that comprehensive recovery is key when it comes to treating issues of mental health and/or addiction. By offering a variety of modalities and therapy tools, we can create recovery plans that focus solely on individual needs rather than offering an overarching “cookie-cutter” program.

Our full-day treatment modalities are varied and include “traditional,” holistic, and experiential options. For example, for individuals that need to focus on the underlying core issues of their negative behaviors, we offer evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Our professional clinicians are able to use these therapies to address these underlying issues and help clients work through them rather than escape from them.

Then there are more experiential and holistic options such as breathwork, meditation, and yoga. These practices have been shown to aid in stress management and also have the potential to physically change brain chemistry to help in cognitive functioning and emotional regulation.

The Importance of Community Integration at The Redpoint Center

Here at The Redpoint Center, and specifically our Longmont mental health treatment facility, we are proud of what we have to offer our clients, as well as the exceptional recovery community that we both contribute to and are a dynamic part of. We know that having a community outside of the recovery center to keep individuals engaged and accountable is crucial.

The world often gets very small for individuals that are struggling with issues of mental health and/or addiction. Here at The Redpoint Center, we believe that recovery under the shadow of the Rockies can enlarge that world back to the size that everyone needs and deserves.

Jul 19
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Choosing Mental Health and Addiction Treatment for a Loved One: Aspen Valley Mental Health

Choosing Mental Health and Addiction Treatment for a Loved One: Aspen Valley Mental Health

By Mental Health

Choosing Mental Health and Addiction Treatment for a Loved One: Aspen Valley Mental Health19The influential 20th-century psychiatrist Viktor Frankl once said, “The more one forgets himself – by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love – the more human he is.” This is the action we take when we choose to help a loved one that is struggling with issues of mental health and/or addiction. Most people will go to any length to help a loved one that is struggling. So it is important that that effort is matched by an exceptional recovery center and treatment program. Regarding Aspen Valley mental health, The Redpoint Center is a leader in recovery and shares that willingness to go the distance.

Reaching Out to a Loved One Struggling With Mental Health and Addiction Issues

It is important to remember that individuals struggling with issues of mental health and/or addictions like alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) need to be willing to accept help before any help can be given. With that in mind, the first step in getting them that help is recognizing the warning signs that they may need it. The following are just a few of the warning signs that a loved one may require some mental health care:

  • They have become unusually withdrawn, secretive, and isolated
  • An individual may exhibit extreme mood swings
  • They may express uncharacteristic feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness
  • If struggling with addiction, they may show physical signs of alcohol and substance abuse, such as poor coordination and slurred speech
  • They may appear to struggle with their sleep patterns, such as insomnia or sleeping too much
  • An individual may express feelings of self-harm or experience suicidal ideations

If any or many of these warning signs are present, we here at The Redpoint Center recommend reaching out to a mental health professional or a reputable recovery center right away. Getting help sooner than later can be the difference between short-term issues and long-term consequences for a struggling loved one.

Aspen Valley Mental Health: Reaching Out to the Right Mental Health Treatment Center

After making a connection with a struggling loved one, it is critical that a connection is made with a quality and qualified recovery center right away. Sometimes the window that a loved one is willing to get help is very short, especially with something like AUD, so it is important to take advantage of it.

An exceptional recovery center is going to be able to help determine the right path to start a loved one on their recovery journey. They can determine the severity of the situation and what level of treatment program to start with. For example, someone in the later stages of AUD will require a professionally supervised detox, most likely followed by a stay in a residential program.

However, a good recovery center will not just stop there; they will also work with the individual and their loved ones to create a long-term recovery plan moving forward. Again, for example, an individual struggling with AUD should also have a plan after residential treatment, such as transitioning to an effective outpatient program like the one offered at the Redpoint Center, a leader in Aspen Valley mental health.

Aspen Valley Mental Health: Choosing an Effective Outpatient Treatment Program

One of the keys to choosing an effective outpatient treatment program is to choose one that is going to keep the family and the home life front and center. After all, it can be very difficult for an individual to recover if they are hearing and seeing one thing in the recovery center, but experiencing something totally different at home.

Again, let us take someone in an outpatient program for AUD. For certain struggling individuals, it can be critical that steps are taken at home to make it a safe and alcohol-free environment. It can also be critical that an individual with AUD engages with a recovery and/or 12-Step community outside of the recovery center, and that their loved ones support that engagement.

Taking these steps while in an outpatient program can help a loved one make a smooth transition back into their day-to-day lives. It also allows the members of the family to get the help and support they need before their loved one is fully back home.

Aspen Valley Mental Health: The Recovery Mission at The Redpoint Center Aspen Valley Mental Health

Here at one of the premier Aspen Valley mental health facilities, The Redpoint Center, we believe in those previously quoted words of the iconic Viktor Frankl. Our mission is to serve others before we serve ourselves. It is our paramount purpose to help our clients recover.

The iconic Frankl also famously said: “Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.” Our goal is to remind each and every client that they have meaning. They have a purpose, and their mental health issues are not going to stop them from living the type of life that they desire and the type of long-term recovery they deserve.

Effective recovery from alcohol use disorder involves transformative changes both in a dedicated treatment facility as well as at home. Home environments can play an important role in continued sobriety. The key is to take advantage of the many tips and strategies for curating a new alcohol-free culture at home. It is also critical to maintain this alcohol-free home environment while also continuing to engage in an effective outpatient treatment program like the one offered at an Aspen Valley mental health facility such as The Redpoint Center. For more information on choosing the right mental health treatment for a loved one and the recovery options available, please reach out to The Redpoint Center today at (303) 710-8496.

Jul 17
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Embracing Spiritual Healing at Home

Embracing Spiritual Healing at Home

By Mental Health

Embracing Spiritual Healing at HomeTruly transformative healing and recovery addresses many different needs and goals. For those overcoming the use of drugs or alcohol and beginning a life of sobriety, creating an entirely new lifestyle is paramount. However, each person will also be tasked with tending to their spiritual needs in addition to their needs to overcome substance use disorder. The Redpoint Center is committed to this comprehensive approach to sobriety. Embracing spiritual healing and incorporating effective practices at home throughout outpatient care can help to truly embrace this new and sober life.

The Importance of Spiritual Healing

Spirituality is something that can easily go overlooked during a person’s recovery journey. However, it is just s essential as other aspects of an effective recovery. Spiritual healing is the act of tending to personal needs and beliefs beyond the immediate physical body and incorporates mending emotional scars, past traumas, self-belittling beliefs, isolation, and more. This kind of healing is paramount for not only providing direction throughout the recovery journey in outpatient care but is also crucial to challenge feelings of isolation, emotional stresses, and providing purpose, belonging, and a new perspective in sobriety.

Embracing spirituality as part of effective healing and treatment can also empower those in recovery to be more resilient in their continued journey in outpatient care. It can be impossible to predict all of the various stresses and challenges that each person may face throughout their recovery. Finding a core set of spiritual beliefs and practices can help each person maintain their effective transformations and process various challenges that may manifest throughout each person’s sober journey.

Spirituality and religion are also not necessarily the same thing, and it is wholly possible to explore spiritual healing without ascribing to any particular religious denomination or belief in a higher power at all. Spiritual practices and healing throughout the recovery journey will always be a personal journey with no definite “right” or “wrong” way to pursue such goals.

Creating Effective Spiritual Practices at Home

Each journey with spiritual healing in outpatient care will be unique. Exploring a wide array of various spiritual options in recovery can empower each person to find the practices that best resonate with their beliefs, goals, and challenges throughout addiction recovery.

An individual may not also experience all the expected benefits of spiritual healing practices immediately. Exploring effective spiritual healing at home not only means being open to a myriad of new practices and ideas, but also engaging with them a few times to best benefit from them, or to determine if exploring other options may benefit an individual more in their own journey.

Dedicate a Space

Spiritual healing can take many forms, and establishing a sense of consistency can empower those in recovery to make the most of their spiritual practices at home. Dedicating a specific space to spiritual healing at home throughout outpatient care and beyond can ensure continued engagement with whatever form of spiritual healing is most effective, furthering each practice’s efficacy.

For some, this can mean having a room wholly dedicated to meditation or yoga. Others may dedicate a portion of a room to a relaxing atmosphere, surrounding themselves with plants, natural images such as posters, paintings, and more, or even filling the space with sounds that can calm and soothe otherwise trying emotional states.

Some may have a particular place that helps them relax in nature itself that is not necessarily within their own home. Having a favorite hiking trail can help an individual connect with nature and their spiritual beliefs, so long as it remains consistent and accessible whenever needed.

Using Affirmations

Reinforcing a person’s continued success, beliefs, and more throughout the day can ensure that those in recovery are able to focus on their continued needs and healing, both in terms of overcoming substance use disorder and spiritual healing. Reciting a particular mantra at home, keeping words of affirmation or notes to oneself in a wallet or purse, or even posting notes to oneself at common spots throughout the home can all be ways to reinforce these spiritual beliefs and affirmations.

Exposing oneself to these affirmations or reminders of spiritual beliefs can help to normalize these ideas and make them an integral part of each day and decision to facilitate continued commitment to each person’s spiritual well-being.

Journaling for Spiritual Healing

Spiritual healing can be complicated, and it can be difficult to quantify effective healing while engaged in such a metaphysical practice. Journals can be a great way for those in recovery to track their own spiritual healing and perspectives. For some, chronicling the events of the day before bed can be a great way to examine their own needs and beliefs. Others may commit to a gratitude journal to reinforce spiritual beliefs, all while providing a safe outlet to express emotions and find the best way to communicate complex ideas and challenges still prevalent throughout addiction recovery.

Starting Your Own Rituals

Having routines and rituals at home can also be a great way to further each person’s spiritual healing. For some, these rituals can take the form of saying a prayer before bed. However, others can simply find peace in meditation after lunch, lighting a candle at night to calm oneself as the sun sets, or any other simple and consistent practice that helps a person process the stresses of the day and connect to their own thoughts, bodies, and needs.

Engaging in an array of mindfulness practices can also be the beginning of effective and consistent rituals that can be used to further spiritual healing for those overcoming the effects of substance use disorder or navigating urges, cravings, or the continued effects of mental health disorders. The professionals available at The Redpoint Center can help to scaffold these practices through Boulder County IOP treatment, amending each journey to ensure they can be used both at the facility and at home.

Spiritual healing is a necessary part of a new, sober lifestyle, and we at The Redpoint Center are committed to helping you explore your own spiritual needs and best practices while empowering you to continue tending to these needs at home. Our comprehensive approach to outpatient treatment allows us to support your continued growth and healing in sobriety during our programs all while instilling the skills, perspectives, and strategies necessary to maintain sobriety in daily life. From personalizing your treatment program with spiritual healing to introducing you to a community of peers and professionals exploring their own spirituality, we can help you today. For more information on how we can support your sober change, call us today at (303) 710-8496.

Jul 15
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How Bipolar Disorder Affects Substance Use

How Bipolar Disorder Affects Substance Use

By Mental Health

How Bipolar Disorder Affects Substance Use15Mental health disorders and substance use are often intimately intertwined, with each individual needing to address the effect of substance use and these disorders in tandem throughout their healing journey. However, for those overcoming the impact of bipolar disorder, addressing the use of addictive substances is even more paramount. Identifying the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, understanding how they can be exacerbated through substance use, and preparing for the additional challenges that addictive substances can present are all paramount to pursuing the most effective treatment possible. The Redpoint Center’s Glenwood inpatient rehab is primed to help each individual begin their journey to a healthy and fulfilling sober life.

Identifying the Effects of Bipolar Disorder

Mental health disorders of any kind are difficult to process, and there is no easy or straightforward way to address mental health needs. However, bipolar disorder can present uniquely challenging situations to overcome. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that can vary from person to person, with professional treatment being necessary to understand the various effects of bipolar disorder on each individual. However, identifying the common signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder is the first step in pursuing effective healing at The Redpoint Center at Glenwood Springs. Some of the common symptoms may include:

  • Drastic mood swings, moving from periods of elation to intense depression
  • Sudden increases in energy or hyperactivity
  • Impulsive or rash behaviors
  • Increase in risk-taking behavior
  • Difficulty managing an emotional state
  • Intense depressive symptoms, such as sudden lack of energy, focus, or motivation

Those overcoming bipolar disorder may move rapidly from manic episodes of increased energy, racing thoughts, impulses, inability to sleep or lack of need for sleep, and more to intense depressive episodes, marked by not just a lack of energy, but also feelings of worthlessness, doubt, guilt, and more. Professional treatment to address the various challenges of bipolar disorder is paramount to creating an effective and personalized recovery plan.

However, the need for professional treatment can be further informed by the use of addictive substances like drugs or alcohol. Understanding the connection between these substances and bipolar disorder is the first step in creating an effective treatment plan at The Redpoint Center.

The Effects of Substance Use

Bipolar disorder is already challenging enough to overcome. Many of those experiencing bipolar disorder may look to any outlets possible to mitigate its symptoms and effects on their emotional health, with the use of drugs or alcohol being a common method in which to attempt to self-medicate. For some, the use of these substances may be considered to address intense feelings of depression during depressive episodes or to cope with feelings of helplessness, suicidal ideation, or other challenges, while others may turn to these substances to address racing thoughts or impulses prevalent during manic episodes.

While common, the use of these substances can have destructive effects on an individual’s physical and mental health. Even if an individual feels better in the moment by using drugs or alcohol to push down these intense feelings, their use does little to actually process the effects of bipolar disorder, and can even further worsen its symptoms with continued use, leading to addiction and co-occurring disorders.

Increased Emotional Turmoil

The use of drugs or alcohol to address emotional needs often results in the opposite effect. Any temporary perceived relief quickly fades, and an individual is still left without the skills to actually navigate the challenges present. Coupled with the effects of addictive substances, the use of drugs or alcohol can often bring further feelings of anxiety, depression, stress, and more, compounding the emotional challenges already present and making it both further difficult to manage the effects of bipolar disorder while introducing additional challenges.

Developing to Dependence

Those challenged by bipolar disorder may also be at an increased risk of developing substance use disorder or dependence on these substances. Between increased risk-taking behaviors, compromised sense of self-worth, and more, the use of drugs or alcohol can be dangerously normalized, and an individual may not recognize their increasing need to engage with these substances. An individual may also need to engage with more and more of these substances in order to continue to quell the effects of bipolar disorder, leading to increased use and addiction.

Addressing substance use disorder (SUD) in a professional program is paramount, especially while also continuing to address each person’s needs and goals in overcoming bipolar disorder. Comprehensive outpatient treatment at The Redpoint Center is prepared to address both SUD and bipolar disorder in tandem for genuinely effective and transformative healing.

The Need for Comprehensive Treatment to Overcome Bipolar Disorder

A comprehensive approach to healing is paramount for sustained sobriety and success in recovery. Addressing the emotional effects of bipolar disorder without creating a plan to address substance use can leave those in recovery with continuing to worsen symptoms of substance use while stifling otherwise effective attempts to treat the effects of bipolar disorder.

Likewise, addressing a person’s relationship with addictive substances without addressing how bipolar disorder may have informed such use can leave an individual at an increased risk of relapse if the challenges of bipolar disorder are still prevalent. Truly integrated and proven comprehensive treatment plans to address bipolar disorder and substance use in tandem is paramount. The Redpoint Center’s Glenwood Springs location is prepared to address these mental health challenges, substance use, and their profound relationship with each other through proven strategies, professional staff, and a community of peers all committed to the same kind of transformative outpatient treatment.

Bipolar disorder is an incredibly difficult and complicated mood disorder that demands professional treatment. However, it can be further exacerbated by the use of drugs or alcohol, with additive substances informing further mental health challenges, behaviors, and more. At The Redpoint Center, we are committed to creating an integrated and effective approach to overcoming bipolar disorder and substance use in tandem for truly effective healing. Our proven outpatient treatment programs serving all across Colorado are designed to address mental health, substance use, and their intimate relationship, all while personalizing each program and supporting you with a community of peers and professionals alike. For more information on how we can address bipolar disorder and substance use, call (303) 710-8496.

Jun 18
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Mental Health Outpatient Treatment for Teens

Mental Health Outpatient Treatment for Teens

By Mental Health

Overcoming mental health disorders is difficult at any age. However, teenagers can be exposed to any number of unique stresses and challenges that can further exacerbate the need for effective mental health treatment. At The Redpoint Center, our dedicated teen outpatient program is dedicated to these particular needs. While overcoming the challenges of anxiety and depression is difficult for teens, there can be many other factors involved in effective treatment. Curating a personalized and flexible approach to treating mental health needs in teens is paramount for addressing the nuanced world of teen mental health recovery. 

Facing Mental Health Disorders as a Teen

There are many factors that impact a person’s mental health. For some, a genetic predisposition to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders can all make mental health treatment for teens a priority. However, for many teenagers, there are numerous additional stresses that must be navigated. 

Social stresses, academic stresses, changing identities, exploring personal interests, and being tasked with planning out their future at such an age are all difficult. Coupled with teenage and young adult years being common times for mental health disorders to begin manifesting, this time can be exceptionally challenging. 

Many teens may have reservations about pursuing professional outpatient treatment to address these needs due to either a perceived effect on their social life or difficulty admitting the need for assistance in the first place. However, left unaddressed, these mental health disorders can have negative ramifications, including:

  • Worsening feelings of anxiety or depression
  • Self-doubt
  • Self-harm
  • Isolated lifestyle
  • Decrease in academic performance or attendance
  • Disinterest in previous hobbies or social outlets
  • Experimentation with addictive substances

Overcoming mental health disorders for teens demands a nuanced approach that addresses each of these unique needs and symptoms. Redpoint’s dedicated teen intensive outpatient treatment program is instrumental in creating this effective approach to overcoming teen mental health disorders. 

Mental Health Treatment for Teens at Redpoint

The Redpoint Center is committed to not just supporting teens in their journey to a healthier mental and emotional state but also creating an atmosphere that is accepting and prepared to address the unique needs of teens. Each program is designed to support teenagers through outpatient support, championing social and community engagement and instilling practical life skills and coping strategies while empowering teenagers to continue living their lives outside of the treatment facility. 

These programs take place after school from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. so as not to impede on teenagers’ social lives or obligations. Redpoint’s teen programs are also dedicated to the education and empowerment of teenagers through specific strategies, such as blending therapeutic modalities with processing skills for a holistic approach to age-appropriate care. Psychodrama, artistic opportunities, play therapy, and more are all combined with proven therapies for a comprehensive teen program.

Embracing education and personal strengths, along with exploring the role of trauma, family systems, resiliency, identifying stresses and triggers, and communication, Redpoint works with each individual to create their best approach to treatment both inside and outside the walls of a dedicated facility. 

Finding a Community for a New Perspective

Social life and engagement are core parts of an effective teen recovery, but overcoming many of the barriers that teens face can be difficult. However, Exploring a new community and perspective can empower teenagers to comfortably and confidently address their needs in mental health treatment. Redpoint creates a safe and effective space for teens to meet peers overcoming their own challenges to normalize effective treatment and discussion and prioritize the personalization of each recovery program. 

Finding a community of healing can be a transformative experience, and many of the challenges that teens face can be addressed by having peers who understand and accept the gravity and necessity of healing. Mental health treatment for teens is never the end of their social life or daily life as they know it. Rather, it can be a powerful force to empower teens to pursue their own interests and identity with the necessary support for a healthy daily life. 

This essence of community also extends beyond the walls of the facility, championing new social engagement opportunities and empowering teens to get involved in their own interests with a new therapeutic perspective. Combining proven therapeutic approaches like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with mindfulness practices, social opportunities, personalized coping strategies, and more can empower teens to overcome the effects of anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders while tending to personal interests. 

Holistic Mental Health Treatment for Teens

Mental health disorders never affect teens in isolation, and professional care for exploring the signs of developing mental health disorders and the factors that may inform them is paramount. Trauma-informed care, familial support and change, social and communication skills, real-world applicable skills and strategies, and more are all part of Redpoint’s effective and sustainable healing process. 

Redpoint also champions the opportunity to pivot to new strategies to find what works best for a holistic approach to mental health recovery. Not all teens will respond to the same strategies in the same way. Being able to identify when certain strategies aren’t as effective as one would like and explore a new opportunity is a crucial part of the genuine transformation and the exploration of identity through mental health treatment. 

Outpatient teen treatment with us at Redpoint is a unique and personalized experience, with professionals and peers alike ready to help you address your mental health needs and goals in the most effective and comprehensive way possible without disrupting daily life or academics. We take a flexible and customized approach to recovery, blending proven therapeutic modalities with personalized processing strategies and more to make your recovery experience pertinent and practical to your needs. We champion the opportunity to not only embrace a new path to healing but also foster a community where teens can continue to pursue their own best paths to a healthy future. For more information on how we can help you today, call us at (303) 710-8496.

May 16
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The Connection Between Depression and Substance Use

The Connection Between Depression and Substance Use

By Mental Health

Overcoming addiction or mental health disorders of any kind is difficult, with many personal challenges, hurdles, and stresses along the way. However, for those challenging the use of drugs or alcohol, feelings of depression can be extremely common, facilitating the need for a personalized approach to recovery. The connection between depression and substance use can be intimate, with both these feelings informing the use of self-destructive coping strategies and adding to the emotional challenges ahead. Understanding their connection is necessary to create an effective approach to professional outpatient treatment available at The Redpoint Center.

The Intimate Relationship Between Depression and Substance Use

It can be difficult for those overcoming either addiction or depression to recognize how interconnected the two can be. Of those with major depressive disorder, some 16.5% also qualify for alcohol use disorder (AUD), and 18% engaged with drugs in an attempt to self-medicate. However, this connection can vary from person to person, and understanding the various ways in which depression and substance use can continue to inform each other is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan in outpatient care.

For some, pervasive feelings of depression and prolonged depressive episodes can cause an individual to feel desperate to get such feelings to stop, and many may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to push down uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. With others, the pervasive use of addictive substances can make it difficult to regulate their mood, with the emotional effects of addiction having lasting effects and birthing newfound feelings of depression. Regardless of which affected an individual first, it is paramount to develop an outpatient treatment plan that treats them in tandem for the most effective and transformative results.

The Various Forms of Depression

Just as an individual will have their own unique journey with substance use, each person will also experience depression in their own unique way, with depression manifesting differently for each person. There are various forms of depression a person may experience.

Major Depression

This form of depression comes with intense symptoms that can impede a person’s ability to tend to responsibilities or basic needs, affecting workplace performance or attendance, at-home responsibilities, and even a person’s diet or daily hygiene routines. Major depression can make it difficult to even garner the motivation to get out of bed in the morning, with symptoms typically lasting over two weeks.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Also known as “dysthymia,” this form of depression often involves experiencing less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder but over a much longer period of time. While an individual may be able to tend to responsibilities, they may not do so with desired motivation. These symptoms can continue to impact an individual over multiple years until addressed, fundamentally affecting a person’s perspective, mindset, and self-confidence and informing the dangerous use of drugs or alcohol.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This type of depression is often tied to changes in season, impacting an individual at a certain time of year. While most commonly associated with the winter months and dwindling temperatures and daylight impacting a person’s mood, it is also possible to experience summer SAD.

Common Symptoms of Depression

Any form of depression can come with a myriad of challenging symptoms that can inform the use of drugs or alcohol if untreated. Some of the most common symptoms of depression include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
  • Compromosied motivation or intense lethargy
  • Pervasive feelings of pessimism or doubt
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Comprmosied routines, from daily schedules to sleep schedules and appetite
  • Mood swings, from sadness to irritation, anger, and frustration
  • Intense fatigue
  • Disinterest in previous hobbies or interests
  • Compromised sense of self-worth or feelings of worthlessness

Other stresses can also lead to depression, from difficulties in the workplace to social stresses. This compromised sense of self can not only inform the use of drugs or alcohol as an attempt to “escape” from these challenges but can also compromise a person’s motivation to pursue treatment or belief that a sober future is possible for them, creating a complicated journey to sobriety that demands professional care.

Finding Treatment for Depression and Substance Use

Depression and substance use are difficult to overcome on their own, let alone simultaneously. Overcoming addiction without addressing symptoms of depression can increase the chance for relapse, while addressing depression without how it is informed by substance use can compromise any otherwise effective coping strategies. The Redpoint Center’s Glenwood Springs location can be instrumental in addressing the symptoms of both depression and addiction simultaneously while creating a personalized program for a transformed sober future.

Our outpatient programs available at Glenwood Springs are designed to incorporate proven and effective mental health treatment to address the signs and symptoms of depression, all while creating a community of healing from addiction for a truly transformative and supportive approach to change. Blending cognitive-behavioral therapies with unique experiential approaches, all backed by a community and atmosphere of acceptance, our approach to professional mental health and addiction treatment can ensure that each program is personalized to address depression and substance use in tandem while continuing to scaffold a healthy daily life.

Depression and substance use are often interconnected, and there is no way to overcome one effectively without addressing the impact of the other. Redpoint’s Glenwood Springs location is prepared to create a personalized treatment plan to address your journey with recovery effectively, overcoming the use of alcohol and drugs and their effects on feelings of depression. With personalized treatment modalities and plans to create a community and atmosphere of healing and acceptance, we are available to help you challenge depression and substance use effectively for a healthy future. For more information on how we can help you, or for more information on how we can personalize your time with us at Glenwood Springs, call us today at (303) 710-8496.

Apr 18
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Identifying the Need for Treatment in Overcoming Marijuana Use

Identifying the Need for Treatment in Overcoming Marijuana Use

By Mental Health

Marijuana use is incredibly common, with an estimated 48.2 million people reportedly engaging with the drug in 2019 alone. While ongoing discourse and pushes for legality surrounding the use of marijuana may impact each person’s perception of the drug, marijuana still carries many dangerous properties. Marijuana is an addictive substance that can have profound effects on a person’s mental and physical health.

Being able to identify the need for treatment and addressing the use of marijuana in oneself or a loved one is necessary to facilitate the necessary treatment and recovery. By challenging the misconceptions about marijuana use and identifying the signs and symptoms of marijuana addiction, it is always possible to pursue a healthier life while abstaining from its use.

The Effects of Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana legalization has had a profound effect on the common perceptions and attitudes surrounding the use of the drug. However, despite any legalization across the state and discourse surroundings its use, marijuana still carries many dangers with its use. First, marijuana has been explored to help with certain mental health disorders and trauma, which can further affect each person’s ideas of the dangers of the drug. However, any studies and use of marijuana in a medicinal setting are done so under the supervision of professionals, and such benefits do not necessarily extend to recreational use or use without such direction.

Misconceptions brought about by pushes for marijuana legalization can make those engaging with the drug less cognizant of its negative and harmful effects. Such misconceptions can also cause an individual to consider addiction to marijuana to be less dangerous than it actually is. However, professional treatment to address marijuana use and addiction may be necessary to understand the extent of its dangers and pursue a healthy and sober life.

Lastly, marijuana legalization on the state level does not mean that there are not still restrictions regarding the use of marijuana. Coupled with these important restrictions, marijuana is still a federally illegal drug even if it is legalized in some circumstances in the state. This leads to a complex network of laws and considerations that can greatly affect each individual, their mentality, and even the legality surrounding its use.

Recognizing the Signs of Marijuana Addiction

Identifying when a person’s use of marijuana demands professional treatment can be difficult. However, there are a number of signs and symptoms to be cognizant of in oneself or a loved one to best identify when professional treatment to address marijuana use is necessary. Some of these signs of marijuana addiction include:

  • A person uses more marijuana than intended
  • The use of marijuana comes at the expense of other responsibilities, such as missing work or inability to tend to at-home responsibilities
  • Experiencing negative repercussions of marijuana use and continuing to engage anyway
  • An inability to cease the use of marijuana, even if there is a desire to do so
  • The use of marijuana feels necessary to feel “normal”
  • Compromising other budgets in order to continue using marijuana
  • Someone has confronted another about their use, but they continued to use it anyway
  • Heightened feelings of anxiety, panic, depression, and more when not using the drug

Regular marijuana use can also carry a number of personal ramifications. For some, marijuana can have profound effects on their professional lives, compromising workplace performance and attendance or subjecting oneself to termination resulting from drug tests. Others may experience damage to personal relationships with family, friends, or partners.

Identifying any of these signs can indicate the need for change. However, overcoming marijuana addiction can be exceptionally difficult, with many changes needing to be addressed for a truly transformative approach to a sober future. Dedicated treatment programs are necessary to facilitate this kind of profound change.

The Role of Dedicated Treatment

Overcoming addiction of any kind is difficult, and an individual will not only have to address the direct use of addictive substances but also the lifestyles and mentalities that inform them. The outpatient treatment available at Redpoint can be instrumental in educating individuals and their families about the dangers and misconceptions of marijuana use while instilling the needed life skills, camaraderie, and atmosphere of healing needed to pursue truly transformative change.

Creating a Community

Overcoming addiction can feel incredibly isolating, especially with a wide range of attitudes surrounding marijuana and its use. Having a community that understands the need for change and creates a feeling of belonging throughout the recovery process can be instrumental in keeping focused on each person’s goals, progress, and more.

Especially throughout outpatient care, where an individual may be exposed to a wide range of attitudes around marijuana use, always having a supportive community to fall back on is instrumental for continued success throughout recovery from marijuana addiction.

Embracing a Transformed Life

Marijuana addiction affects every facet of a person’s life, from personal ambitions to mentalities, perspectives, professional life, and more. Recovery from marijuana addiction demands that an individual also address each of these areas, not just the immediate symptoms of marijuana use. Dedicated treatment programs are necessary for not only embracing effective coping strategies for navigating urges or cravings but also making changes to the lifestyles that may have been developed around the use of the drug.

From proven therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and experiential therapy options to exploring the effective practices of peers, professional treatment is a transformational experience that is committed to making the most of recovery and developing the healthiest approach to a sober life ahead.

Marijuana can be a wholly devastating drug, impacting not just your physical health, but also negatively influencing all other aspects of your life. At Redpoint, we understand the unique approach needed to address marijuana use and its continued effects on your life to create a sustainable and effective recovery plan. Our commitment to effective outpatient programs empowers you to address and overcome the use of marijuana while still tending to your daily life. Our Glenwood Springs location is just one of many across Colorado ready to help you take your first step to a sober future today. For more information on how we can personalize your time with us, call to speak to us today at (303) 710-8496.

Apr 01
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Finding Spirituality in Recovery

Finding Spirituality in Recovery

By Mental Health

With the challenges, stresses, and emotional obstacles that are prevalent at any stage of addiction recovery, having a core set of beliefs and goals is paramount. While each individual will have their own personal beliefs throughout recovery, embracing some kind of spiritual component can be wholly transformational. However, each individual’s journey with spirituality will be just as unique. Exploring the role of spirituality in recovery can empower those in recovery to best embrace their own spiritual center throughout their recovery efforts and daily sober life.

Understanding Spirituality in Recovery

Spirituality can be an enigmatic term for many, especially with the wide array of ways in which each person may develop their spiritual beliefs and practices. The term itself references any kind of belief, practice, or combination therein that connects an individual to any kind of higher or metaphysical power and explores how such beliefs affect a person’s perception of themselves, their thoughts, behaviors, and more. These beliefs also can help those in recovery shape their worldview and perspectives, all while informing effective self-care practices and guiding daily routines.

This definition is left intentionally vague, as there can be many different ways an individual may approach their own best spiritual practices. Each individual may feel their own connection to a greater power or purpose in their own way. Having the opportunity to explore how spirituality can uniquely manifest for each individual throughout recovery is part of its transformative and powerful experience.

The Difference Between Spirituality and Religion

Spirituality and religion can often be compared to each other, and there can be an overlap between the two. For some, the belief in a greater power can come in the form of religion, placing God at the forefront of their healing. However, this is not necessary for all people, nor is there any one particular religion that is somehow “better” than another throughout recovery.

While embracing a religious component can empower those in recovery to explore new communities, forgiveness, and perspectives – and provide a better sense of belonging in recovery – these goals can also be accomplished by constructing each person’s own spiritual beliefs. Those who are agnostic or atheistic can still explore the spiritual component of recovery and accomplish these same goals. Whether a person is exploring a belief in a higher power, their spiritual connection to the natural world, or any other form that their spiritual practices may take, engaging in spiritual healing is always a personal journey that never has to overlap with any kind of religious denomination.

The Benefits of Spirituality in Recovery

Dedicated recovery programs can empower those in recovery to explore new spiritual practices in a safe and supportive environment. While each person may have their own reservations or notions regarding their spirituality when beginning their journey to sobriety, professional treatment and support can provide a plethora of ways to explore spirituality and ensure that each individual is able to find the practices that best allow them to further their own sober goals.

Challenging Harbored Beliefs

One of the greatest advantages of embracing spirituality in recovery comes in its ability to challenge negative thought patterns. Feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and more can all fundamentally embed themselves in a person’s perspectives through the use of drugs and alcohol, especially in a person’s perceptions of self-worth. Spiritual practices can instead create honest, uplifting thoughts and new perspectives to challenge these notions. Such practices can replace harbored self-destructive tendencies or beliefs with newfound direction or purpose that can inform the best practices for ongoing sober efforts.

Guiding Ongoing Recovery

Navigating a person’s continued sobriety in dedicated outpatient care can be difficult, with a myriad of stresses, challenges, hurdles, and more. Creating a basis of spiritual beliefs and practices can help an individual guide their own continued success in sobriety.

For some, utilizing mantras can be instrumental, while others may embrace daily spiritual exercises like meditation or yoga that can emotionally prepare them for the day ahead. Having a set of core beliefs can also help those in recovery gauge their actions and ensure they are always acting in their own best interests. This can provide beliefs that can eliminate unnecessary exposure to high-risk situations while challenging unhelpful or self-destructive thoughts.

Creating a Feeling of Belonging

Feeling connected to others or the world around oneself is a powerful experience. However, prevalent feelings of isolation and self-isolation tendencies that manifest throughout addiction can compromise these feelings of belonging. Exploring spiritual practices can help those in recovery emotionally connect to the world around them by exploring what it means for them to be part of something greater, both fostering social skills and a healthy approach to their own worldview.

However, others may also explore belonging in their daily lives as a result of finding others who share similar spiritual practices or ideas. Creating groups and atmospheres based around continued communal healing or common goals in recovery can foster healthy spiritual healing and practices, all while facilitating continued success in sobriety.

Spirituality in recovery is a crucial part of a truly holistic approach to healing, and the professionals available at Redpoint are prepared to help you explore your options for spiritual healing while also supporting you through daily challenges and exercising new therapeutic modalities. With multiple locations across Colorado, we are committed to creating a community and atmosphere of sobriety, ready to address your individual needs for spiritual healing while also working closely with the local communities to continue fostering this culture of healing and sobriety. From experiential therapies to spiritual guidance and care, recovery at Redpoint considers all of your needs and goals for a healthier life. For more on how we can help you, call us at (303) 710-8496.

Mar 15
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Understanding the Effects of AUD

Understanding the Effects of AUD

By Mental Health

Alcohol has many effects on an individual, with profound consequences if an individual does not moderate the frequency or amount of alcohol ingested. However, there are many long-term effects of alcohol use in addition to its short-term dangers. Those overcoming alcohol use disorder (AUD) may experience a number of challenges related to their use of the addictive substance. Understanding the effects of AUD is paramount, not only for creating a comprehensive recovery plan but also for loved ones to understand the challenges of the healing journey ahead for the most effective communication and support during this transformation.

Understanding the Effects of AUD as a Disease

Addiction is devastating to entire families, with alcohol being a common addictive substance used. It can be difficult for families to understand the disease while also having such an emotional connection with a loved one with AUD. However, understanding AUD as a disease is paramount for creating a healthy approach to healing as a family.

First, addiction is not a kind of moral failing of any kind, nor is it the product of ill wishes. Many of those who engage with addictive substances do not do so out of malice or with the intent to harm another, despite any prevalent feelings. While feelings of resentment are common among families with at least one member overcoming AUD, it is important to understand that a loved one does not continue to engage with the substance with malintent. A loved one themselves may still feel great regret, shame, and more while engaging with the substance, and may even feel compelled to continue using alcohol against their own wishes or better judgment.

Rather than holding on to blame, resentment, and other feelings that may hinder the healing process, approaching AUD as a disease that needs to be overcome together is necessary to begin the journey to familial healing.

Persistent use of alcohol can hijack the brain’s own normal processes and functions, and many of those overcoming addiction may feel that the use of drugs or alcohol is as necessary to their life or emotional state as much as eating or drinking, and may sacrifice other areas of their lives in order to fulfill these basic survival needs. Working together to change this idea and address the physical and chemical effects of alcohol use is paramount.

Recognizing the Signs of AUD

AUD can manifest in various ways, and may not affect each individual in exactly the same manner. Knowing the signs of AUD is necessary in order to know when to pursue the proper treatment. Being cognizant of the various signs of AUD is necessary for the most proactive approach to recovery and sobriety.

Some of the possible signs or symptoms of AUD include:

  • Feeling the need to engage with alcohol multiple times a week
  • Being unable to stop drinking once beginning, even if an individual does not drink often
  • Increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or mood swings if unable to engage with alcohol
  • Other withdrawal symptoms
  • Creating daily routines around the availability of alcohol
  • Difficulty managing other responsibilities or obligations, such as at-home responsibilities or professional tasks
  • Continuing to engage with alcohol, even after experiencing negative consequences
  • Engaging with alcohol at inappropriate times, such as gatherings where alcohol is not otherwise offered
  • Increase in risk-taking behavior
  • Feelings of shame or guilt following the use of alcohol, but continuing to use it anyway
  • The use of alcohol to cope with anxiety or depression, even if the use of alcohol is causing such emotions
  • Feeling the need to use more alcohol to achieve similar intended effects as before

It is not necessary for all of these signs to be present for an individual to benefit from professional help for overcoming their use of alcohol. Rather, talking to a loved one and dedicated treatment facilities can be necessary when observing only some signs.

Each of these effects of AUD can fundamentally affect a person’s personal and professional life in equal measure. Missing work to engage with alcohol or as a result of a hangover is common, just as much as changing relationships and emotional states. AUD is a devastating disease that can continue to develop until professionally addressed. Overcoming its effects is incredibly difficult on one’s own. Professional treatment and communities, such as those available at Redpoint, are instrumental in addressing the use of alcohol and its impact on each person’s life as a whole.

Finding Treatment for Overcoming the Effects of AUD

AUD is incredibly complex, with many emotions, physical needs, emotional needs, and more. Overcoming the effects of AUD takes professional and comprehensive support. From education and personalized outpatient care to creating new life routines, skills, and strategies to cope with the emotional and familial impact of AUD, Redpoint takes a unique and comprehensive approach to a sober life. Identifying the signs of AUD is just the first step in a long recovery journey, but a community of peers and an array of trained staff are available to help individuals and families heal from its effects for a healthier, happier life.

Alcohol can be wholly detrimental when its use begins to usurp and replace other needs and responsibilities, and overcoming AUD can be incredibly complex. At Redpoint, we understand the difficulties and stresses inherent in the recovery process and are prepared to help you take your recovery and sobriety into your own hands. We combine professional support and effective, supportive communities in our dedicated outpatient programs, allowing you to pursue a healthy sobriety while managing your life outside of the facility. With multiple locations and programs across Colorado, we are committed to helping you find your best approach to a healthy future. For more information on how we can help you, call to speak to us today at (303) 710-8496.

Mar 05
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Incorporating Mindfulness Outside of Treatment

Incorporating Mindfulness Outside of Treatment

By Mental Health, Treatment

Overcoming addiction is an ongoing process. Those navigating their sobriety in outpatient treatment will be tasked with balancing their personal lives with their continued sober efforts. Mindfulness is a core part of managing this balance, helping those in recovery address prevalent urges and cravings while gaining a better understanding of their own emotions, needs, and progress. Recovery is a wholly transformative experience, and incorporating mindfulness practices outside the walls of a treatment facility is crucial for maintaining these changes for a healthy and sober future.

What Is Mindfulness?

Effective mindfulness practices are an integral part of effective recovery efforts and can take many forms depending on what works best for each individual. Mindfulness is any kind of exercise or activity that helps an individual focus on their own current physical and emotional state in the present moment, all while helping them better identify and overcome challenging emotional states or stresses safely. Being able to live in the present moment while becoming more cognizant of their emotional state is essential for managing the stresses and challenges of ongoing recovery.

Accepting the reality of the present situation, both emotionally and physically, is necessary to better identify and address personal stresses and navigate urges, cravings, and more in the journey through maintaining a person’s hard-earned sobriety. While professional outpatient treatment programs utilize mindfulness strategies during recovery sessions, mindfulness practices are most effective when employed consistently throughout daily life. Using mindfulness practices both during professional treatment programs and outside the walls of a treatment facility is necessary to make the most of their healing potential.

Incorporating Mindfulness Into Daily Life

Those in recovery can benefit greatly from the regular use of personalized mindfulness strategies. Being able to calmly (emotionally and physically) resituate oneself throughout the day has many benefits, helping to not only quell difficult feelings or urges but also to best help identify particular stresses that may impact an individual’s sobriety and mental health. Regular use of mindfulness practices can empower those in recovery to better understand, confront, and overcome the challenges common throughout the recovery process while maintaining a sober life.

Each individual will have their own best practices. Finding the techniques that work best for each individual will be a personal journey. Exploring various techniques can ensure that there are always opportunities to explore effective mindfulness practices.

Use the Structures in Treatment

Professional outpatient treatment offers many unique ways to approach mindfulness practices, and bringing these practices to life outside of the treatment facility can ensure they stay practiced, effective, and consistent. Practices like meditation, yoga, and personalized techniques can all be first explored in outpatient treatment. These strategies can be easily transposed into a person’s life outside of the walls of the treatment facility. For those still uncertain about their own best practices, using the structures and guidance of professionals can be instrumental in ensuring that they still have access to effective strategies.

Incorporating Mindfulness in Morning Routines

Morning routines are instrumental for starting the day off right. Incorporating mindfulness into these daily routines can help each individual comfortably situate themselves before taking on the challenges and stresses of the day ahead. Feeling cold tile beneath a person’s foot while brushing their teeth or taking a moment to relax and pay attention to one’s breathing, heartbeat, or any tension are all great ways to start the day, informing an individual of their emotional state to take appropriate action. For some, this can inform the need and use of other coping strategies, while others may use this time to clear their minds and prepare for any personal or professional stresses.

Utilizing Breathing Techniques

Breathing is a strange thing to need to “practice,” but utilizing breathing techniques with a focus on mindfulness is a powerful strategy when rehearsed. Effective breathing techniques incorporate the entire body, forcing an individual to focus on their breaths, counting, releasing, and more. Some may use these techniques to calm their nerves or other physical challenges, while others may benefit from the time used to avoid compulsive behavior in the face of stress. Using the 3-3-3 technique in inhaling for three seconds, holding for three seconds, and exhaling for three seconds, can help increase a person’s awareness of their own body and process their present state in a healthy way.

Situating Yourself in Your Environment

Other mindfulness practices help an individual by situating them in their physical environment. Anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and more are all common among those overcoming addiction. Being able to have an accurate understanding of a person’s current environment at any moment in time is necessary for challenging and contextualizing difficult feelings. Naming objects in the vicinity, touching and feeling a chair or trinkets in reach, and other tactile practices can all help an individual focus on their feelings of touch and get a better understanding of their present environments, challenging stress, anxiety, and more.

Finding Your Best Practices

There are many different ways to incorporate mindfulness in daily life beyond these introductions. For some, the use of yoga, meditation, and other methods can all be great ways to gain a better understanding of themselves. Others may prefer physical outlets like sports to gain a deeper insight into their bodies and minds while processing stress. Constantly exploring new opportunities is part of the constant evolution needed for a sustainable and successful recovery.

Mindfulness practices can make for a truly comprehensive and healthy approach to recovery and sobriety. Redpoint is ready and able to help you explore your own best mindfulness strategies while overcoming addiction, mental health, or any other personal challenges that you may face in your journey to a healthier life. We employ a personal approach to each individual, combining the strategies that work best for you and helping you transpose these effective strategies to your life outside our walls. Mindfulness is just the first step in creating a comprehensive set of skills and strategies to maintain the powerful transformations made throughout recovery. For more information on how we can help you, call to speak to us at (303) 710-8496.

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