Boulder County Mental Health & Drug Rehab |

Aug 19

How to Find Longmont Non-Residential Treatment Programs

According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the percentage of people 18 to 26 needing “but not receiving treatment at a specialty facility for illicit drug use in the past year” was over 18% in Colorado. The numbers are similarly high with other age demographics in the state, with over seven percent in all of the other categories. To put that in perspective, that is over 41,000 people, or roughly one out of every 15 Coloradan, in need of adequate addiction care. For some of these individuals, Longmont non-residential treatment may be an ideal choice.

What Are Non-Residential Treatment Programs?

It is important to note that not all non-residential treatment programs are the same, and not all of them are created equally, either. Non-residential treatment programs are licensed programs offered by recovery centers and treatment facilities that do not require the individual to stay on the property.

Generally, these are programs that are best suited for individuals that are not in the later, more severe stages of addiction, have limited insurance, or are ultimately unable to commit to inpatient or residential care. Now, this does not make them any less effective or ideal than residential treatment; it just makes them more ideal and effective for certain individuals. Remember, a recovery plan is always effective when individualized, including the initial choice of type of treatment.

Another option for non-residential treatment is a partial hospitalization program (PHP), which is often overlooked as non-residential due to the name. But many PHPs only require continued intensive check-ins to the facility rather than prolonged stays. However, a PHP is a slightly more involved variation of non-residential treatment.

What Are the Benefits of Non-Residential Treatment?

There are many benefits to non-residential treatment. The primary one is the ability to remain active in one’s external day-to-day life. However, while this is a very appealing benefit, it should not cloud the need for residential treatment if required. For example, if a detox is required, it is often recommended that residential care follow – at least at the beginning. Also, if there are issues at home or a lacking support system, residential care may be the right choice as those issues get resolved.

However, if these components are present, and non-residential care is optimal, these are some of the benefits that often accompany it:

The ability to connect with a community or 12-Step recovery program from the start
Allows for an easier transition away from a recovery program and back into individual accountability
A chance to keep family and loved ones more connected and involved in the process
It can be more cost-effective
Insurance often covers more costs regarding non-residential treatment
It still allows for intensive treatment and clinical oversight, which can help avoid initial relapse

An Ideal Environment: Longmont Non-Residential Treatment

While there is a relatively high number of individuals needing addiction care in Colorado, there are also many highly regarded treatment centers. This is especially true in the Longmont, Colorado area. The issue is that many people are not receiving the information and support they need to find the right treatment center.

One of the ideal locations in Longmont is The Redpoint Center. The Redpoint Center has some of the best non-residential programs in the area. With its immediacy to the Rocky Mountains as well as close proximity to Boulder and Denver, there is the option of nature immersion while also engaging in all of the benefits of having access to an urban hub.

Longmont also has an exceptional recovery community, which has both 12-Step and non-12-Step options. Also, at the Longmont location, The Redpoint Center can provide ongoing support after non-residential treatment, which includes the potential to engage with its sober living services. So, for both residential and non-residential individuals, Longmont can be an ideal location for both unplugging from active addiction and plugging into long-term recovery.

Longmont Non-Residential Treatment: The Recovery Mission at The Redpoint Center

While not a requirement of a recovery center, here at The Redpoint Center, we are a family-owned business, and that carries over to how we care for our clients. One of our maxims is “meeting people where they are at.” Just as we would with our own family members, we treat everyone based on who they are rather than their symptoms.

We also have a professional staff that brings their expertise and knowledge from some of the best treatment centers in the country. Together, The Redpoint Center has over 200 years of treatment experience, which is then focused solely on the client on an individualized basis with customized and comprehensive recovery plans.

The paradigm needs to shift for those that need recovery but cannot access it. Here at The Redpoint Center, we continue to be the epicenter of that shift. Because one out of 15 is not what caring for those that need the most help is supposed to look like.

Jun 05

Love2

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EMDR in the Treatment of Addiction

By redpointcenter Addiction, Community, Mental Health, Therapy, Treatment

EMDR to Address Trauma During Addiction Treatment

EMDR is a powerful tool for healing trauma. Studies show that trauma is a risk factor for addiction and substance use disorder. In addition, treatment of trauma is key for individuals to recover from addiction. At the Redpoint Center, we use several different types of treatments for trauma. These modalities differ from talk therapy. One reason talk therapy doesn’t always effectively address trauma is that the memories are stored in the hippocampus, part of the midbrain. Talk therapy doesn’t effectively access these memories stored in the midbrain—it tends to involve the utilization of our frontal lobes. Furthermore, trauma is often stored in the body, requiring somatic attention. Hence, EMDR is a powerful intervention.

Using EMDR to Cope With Trauma and Stress

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy is a positive tool. It helps us access and process memories stored in the midbrain. Our use of EMDR is expanding and helping more people with issues that cause distress. People with substance abuse issues commonly have a history of trauma. In addition, they struggle to cope with stress and often benefit from EMDR.

Research shows that EMDR causes changes in brain chemistry that reverse the damage caused by trauma or acute stress. Bessel van der Kolk, an expert, and researcher, in brain chemistry and trauma, shares several brain studies to support this approach. His PET scan photographs of the brain before and after EMDR sessions show the benefit.

EMDR and the Brain

The PET scans of one who is remembering trauma light the amygdala in the brain. This is part of the limbic system that is responsible for emotions, survival instincts, and memory. The amygdala is activated when one experiences trauma and acute stress. It is the “smoke detector” that scans the environment and lets us know of a threat or event that is relevant to survival.

When people experience a threat the amygdala becomes activated. The frontal lobe, where cognition and understanding take place, is quite dim because the amygdala is more heightened. Hence, when people are experiencing “normal” day-to-day happenings, the frontal lobe is bright and outshines the amygdala.

Studies Show the Benefits of EMDR

In one study, van der Kolk had several individuals go through EMDR sessions. Before the sessions, the PET scans showed a brain in a trauma state. After the EMDR sessions, the brain appeared normal when the client was bringing to mind the same stressful event. The memory was no longer held as a traumatic memory but as a normal, processed memory.

We found another study where van der Kolk showed that subjects with a complicated traumatic history, after six EMDR sessions, had greatly reduced PTSD symptoms that continued to decrease even more for up to six months after the study.

We do not know exactly how psychotherapy affects the brain’s neurobiology. However, we do know that when people are upset, their brains cannot process information normally. EMDR is similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

During REM sleep, the information from the day is being processed. When people experience trauma, the amygdala becomes hyperactive and stores traumatic information and memory. This makes it difficult to process this information. EMDR creates the same stimulation that occurs during REM sleep. This assists the brain in processing the trauma or issues related to stress. The end result is that people see disturbing information in a new and less distressing way. Consequently, they are better able to process information.

Getting Started with EMDR in Treatment

We know addiction is connected to acute stress and often trauma. Once a client has dealt with trauma and acute stress through EMDR, he or she is better able to cope. Therefore, they experience healthy relationships, cope with stress, and live a happier life. In addition, people can recover from addiction since they are no longer, or less affected, by their distress.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, Mental Health problems, The Redpoint Center is here to help. The Redpoint Center treats both adults and youth struggling with addiction and alcohol. Learn more about our Longmont Drug Rehab, by calling 888-509-3153.

May 29

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The Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter

By redpointcenter Addiction, Community, Media, Mental Health, Misc, Therapy, Treatment

It is a common occurrence amongst therapists to joke that if they bring their clients to tears then they know they’ve done something right. We believe that laughter can be one of the most powerful tools at our disposal.

Other reasons why laughing is therapeutic:

Connection: Laughter increases one’s ability to be close with others, and is an expression most often used in a social context. We are 30 times more likely to laugh if we are with another person. Cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott said we laugh “to show people that you understand them, that you agree with them, and you are part of the same group with them. You’re laughing to show them you like them, you might even love them. Laughter is doing all that emotional work for you.”

See what else Sophie has to say in her Ted Talk Why We Laugh

Nervous System Regulation: laughter reduces sympathetic nervous system activity (fight or flight response) and increases parasympathetic system activity, which can relax the whole body, thus reducing the impact of stress on the body and mind.

Read more about laughter and the nervous system here.

Perspective: it offers a new way to look at a situation and

“Humor and laughter can shift perspective and change the way our mind views or experiences an event.”

Emotional Health

Emotional health, but physical health have been linked to laughter as well. Norman Cousins, who wrote Anatomy of an Illness (1979), describes his experience using laughter to help him live a longer, and more pain free life while suffering from an illness affecting the immune system. According to Cousins:

Laughter:
- Releases endorphins in the brain that fight physical pain.
- Protects our immune systems.
- Increases antibodies that fight infection.
- Increases natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells attack cancerous cells in the body.
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Activates neuro-chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, acting as a natural antidepressant.

And one final thought; did you know there is something called “Laughter Yoga”? Make sure to check out this Ted Talk by Dr. Madan Kataria, the pioneer of Laughter Yoga, which is now a worldwide practice for improving overall health and wellbeing.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, drug addiction, Mental Health problems, The Redpoint Center is here to help. The Redpoint Center treats both adults and youth struggling with addiction and alcohol. To learn more about our Longmont Drug Rehab, call 888-509-3153.

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