Mexican and Columbian drug cartels are flooding Colorado with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and a cornucopia of club drugs. Since 2000, Colorado has been reforming its drug laws to focus on rehabilitating first-time offenders who run afoul of the law and non-violent drug abusers, hoping to keep small drug problems from escalating into large ones. One benefit of this change in attitude is the growing number of drug treatment facilities and drug rehabilitation programs in Colorado.

Finding a “rehab” center in Colorado is not generally a problem; finding one that is right for your particular problem, however, is a matter of careful evaluation and asking good questions. Do not imagine that alcohol abuse can be treated in the same way as Ambien abuse or heroin addiction. Different drugs have different effects upon the human body, and no two addicts react to addiction in the same way. A shotgun approach will fail, which may discourage an addict from trying again. Choose carefully, therefore, when picking a drug or alcohol treatment center in Colorado or anywhere else.

Most drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs offer a range of services, from simple detoxification to residential care. Inpatient programs for severe addiction are best; debilitated bodies and high levels of drug toxins require careful medical supervision. But even mild addictions may require the quiet and supportive environment of a residential care center to break down the physical and emotional dependency exerted by so many modern drugs. While a Colorado drug or alcohol treatment center might be your preference, you may need to look farther afield to find the rehab facility that offers the full range of services needed to address your particular problem.

The network of Colorado drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers ranges from detox centers to mental health counseling to residential treatment centers. Evaluate the experience, funding, and staffing for each to see if the center can offer individualized attention and long-term support. Continuity in care is very important.

While an outpatient program may look like the most cost effective and convenient treatment option, consider whether the recovering addict is emotionally equipped to juggle the stress of home life, family responsibilities, and work while attempting to kick a drug habit at the same time. The reason that inpatient rehabilitation programs work better than many outpatient programs is that they remove the addict from distractions and stress and allow a total focus on recovery. With alcohol available in every supermarket and drug dealers a short drive across town, outpatient programs offer temptations residential programs do not. In addition, the staff of a residential facility is focused on helping the addict to understand his or her addiction and to teach recovering abusers how to live life without reaching for a bottle.

Counseling, behavior modification, nutrition and fitness, and family outreach are all elements of a good drug and alcohol treatment program. In Colorado, facilities offering well-rounded programs may be limited to larger metropolitan areas, so look around until you find the one that will help you get clean and stay sober for life.