Substance Abuse

Substance Use

Colorado CBT offers outpatient psychiatry (medication) and therapy to support individuals struggling with substance use and addiction. Outpatient therapy is most successful for those who are physically healthy and do not require detox (we will provide a referral to a trusted detox facility if this is necessary). Therapists follow ASAM criteria to determine appropriate level of care.

Substance use disorders present as the inability to stop the substance (despite efforts), social impairment, risky behaviors, and physical reaction to the substance, such as tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Most commonly, substance use disorders are co-occurring with other mental health concerns. 

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition identifies 10 classes of substance use, which include: alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, stimulants, tobacco and other (or unknown) substances. While substance use abuse is a common condition, everyone’s struggle with addiction is unique.

Colorado CBT offers multidisciplinary treatments for substance use tailored to each individual. Treatments may include psychiatry and Cognitive Behavioral therapy and/or Motivational Interviewing. Make an appointment with Colorado CBT to discuss if outpatient substance use therapy is the right option for you.

Substance Use Treatment

Recovering from substance use can be challenging. When your substance use becomes a problem you may find yourself struggling to cut back or stop using the substance. Colorado CBT offers outpatient treatment (via psychiatry and therapy) for substance use concerns. It can be incredibly challenging and sometimes dangerous to stop using a substance without the guidance of a medical professional. Those early in recovery and presenting with severe substance use benefit more from higher levels of care through detox or residential treatment facilities (we will provide a trusted referral if necessary). 

 Substance use disorders are classified as the inability to stop using a substance, despite efforts, that lead to social impairment, risky use, and physical reactions to substance. Social impairments include struggles at work, school, or home; and physical reactions to substances can include tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Common substance use abuse includes alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics, stimulants, tobacco, and gambling.

It can feel overwhelming to change behaviors you’ve become accustomed to and to challenge the thoughts that keep you stuck. Providers at Colorado CBT are trained in evidenced-based practices (well researched therapies proven to be effective) for substance use:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will help you change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. You will learn to understand why you feel and act certain ways and how to improve your thinking and behavior to be more values consistent. 
  • Motivational Interviewing is a therapy proven to be highly effective in the treatment of substance use. Motivational Interviewing focuses on decreasing ambivalence about making healthy changes and strengthens one’s motivation and commitment to their goals. When sobriety feels too out of reach, motivational interviewing can help people achieve moderation or abstinence. 

Reach out to a therapist at Colorado CBT to see if outpatient substance use therapy is right for you.