Photo of Billie Jo McIntire, Licensed Professional Counselor in 80216, CO
Billie Jo McIntire
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, LAC, CHTT, EMDR
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Denver, CO 80216  (Online Only)
Telehealth available! Are you seeking answers to your life and ready to get to work in therapy? Do you feel as if you are very alone in your thoughts and life? Maybe you have been so abused and abandoned that you think you deserve it. Maybe your isolation or emotions have even helped you stay safe! Believe me, there is more about your life to discover and I am here for you to work on this together! I have been unanimously approved of as Adjunct Faculty at the Colorado School for Family Therapy. "She is a consummate professional and expert in this field and brings her passion and life long dedications to all involved".
Telehealth available! Are you seeking answers to your life and ready to get to work in therapy? Do you feel as if you are very alone in your thoughts and life? Maybe you have been so abused and abandoned that you think you deserve it. Maybe your isolation or emotions have even helped you stay safe! Believe me, there is more about your life to discover and I am here for you to work on this together! I have been unanimously approved of as Adjunct Faculty at the Colorado School for Family Therapy. "She is a consummate professional and expert in this field and brings her passion and life long dedications to all involved".
(720) 519-2349 View (720) 519-2349
Substance Use Therapists

How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?

In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.

How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?

Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.

How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.

Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?

There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.