Fort Collins is a beautiful town located about an hour from Denver with approximately 170,000 residents. Fort Collins started out as a military outpost in 1864 and is now the fourth most populous city in Colorado. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, it offers 300 days of sunshine a year and many skiing options during the winter months. Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, providing a vibrant student life for thousands. Residents and tourists enjoy the multiple options for outdoor activities, museums, restaurants, and quality of life many feel is one of the best in the country. Despite all the positives, Fort Collins cannot escape the effects of drug and alcohol addiction that permeate every part of the country. The city understands the importance of providing help for addiction and offers options for outpatient rehab in Fort Collins. 

How Addiction Affects Fort Collins + Colorado 

Recreational marijuana has been legal in Colorado since 2012, reflecting a viewpoint many share about how it is different from other drugs. Even so, the state recognizes the seriousness of addiction, including how legal substances such as marijuana and alcohol can become addictive, causing people to need help getting sober. The Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program keeps track of a database of prescriptions written in Colorado for Schedule II-V controlled substances. Doing so helps monitor people who might be receiving too many prescriptions for potentially addictive drugs or dangerous combinations of them. 

In 2018, Colorado reported 564 opioid-related overdose deaths. Deaths involving prescription and synthetic opioids (not including methadone) and heroin totaled 635. This is despite Colorado prescriptions for opioids being written at a lower rate than the national average. Colorado providers issue 45.1 prescriptions for every 100 people, while the U.S. rate is 51.4 prescriptions per 100 people.

From 2017-2018, the Colorado Health Institute stated that the national rate for adults 18 and over who reported having a substance use disorder was 7.7%. In Colorado, that number was 11.9%. Almost 100,000 Coloradans ages 18 and over who needed help for addiction to drugs and alcohol in 2019 did not receive it. Reasons given for not seeking treatment include not having any or adequate insurance coverage, income limits, and the stigma associated with having a substance use disorder. 

How Outpatient Rehab in Fort Collins Works

Programs that treat drug and alcohol addiction can offer a variety of options. Many people begin with detox or other residential programs, which helps them get rid of the toxins built up from long-term substance abuse. Once the initial treatment is completed, many professionals recommend making outpatient treatment the next step. This option can include several types of programs, including:

  • Outpatient (OP): This treatment may be the first step after initial treatment or take place after more intensive outpatient treatment concludes. It allows patients to live at home and spend several hours a week continuing their addiction treatment, often via individual and group therapy, as well as learning to stay sober as they prepare to transition out of their treatment program.

  • Intensive Outpatient (IOP): This type of treatment plan usually requires three to five days of attendance while the patient lives at home. It is similar to outpatient treatment but usually takes more time per week and provides a more intensive focus on transitioning from detox to an outpatient program. Multiple types of therapy may be offered, as well as an ongoing assessment of the patient’s progress to determine when they are ready to step down in their treatment.

  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This treatment often takes place in a medical-type facility but still allows the person to live at home. Patients typically attend PHP several days a week and engage in multiple types of therapy. PHP can provide a helpful bridge between leaving detox or residential treatment and being ready to participate in a less intensive outpatient program.

Deciding Which Kind of Outpatient Rehab in Fort Collins Is the Right Fit

When a patient is being assessed to see which type of outpatient rehab in Fort Collins is the right fit for them, several things are considered. These include how long the addiction has been going on, what kind of substances the person consumes, how much and how often. Admissions personnel also consider a person’s current living situation and if that supports them being able to attend outpatient treatment while still maintaining a healthy home life. Someone who proves not to need detox or the intensive level of inpatient care and is in stable physical health often makes a great candidate for outpatient rehab in Fort Collins. 

Many outpatient programs also offer treatment for mental illnesses. This includes learning to manage the symptoms of diagnoses such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). An individual who needs to address both addiction and mental health can find options within the different types of outpatient programs available. 

Patients who receive treatment for both their substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health issues often find they achieve success in both areas more quickly than those who try to treat them separately. The more an individual becomes accustomed to staying sober, the more likely it is that some of their mental health symptoms will become more manageable, As well, when mental illness is treated via therapy and any needed medications, the urge to use drugs or alcohol often subsides in response.

Outpatient Rehab in Fort Collins

Reaching out for help for a substance use disorder can be scary. Continuum Recovery Center offers outpatient rehab in Fort Collins that includes holistic options and learning to manage mental health symptoms. We provide several treatment programs to help you choose recovery and get excited about your new life.If you are ready to talk to someone about changing your life, contact Continuum Recovery Center now and get started on your recovery.