Photo of Jyoti Sharma, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 80302, CO
Jyoti Sharma
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, AASW
Verified Verified
Boulder, CO 80302
You should be SO proud of yourself for taking steps towards change in your life! You may be here because you're exhausted from doing it all on your own. Maybe you feel life transitions and changes are causing overwhelming symptoms of depression and anxiety? Are you seeking a professional to help you with integrating radical healing and medicines, like ketamine assisted therapy, in a safe manner? You need a space for you to honor and process the experiences that have made you into the person you are today. Let me help you navigate the changes to come and the behaviors that no longer serve your genuine self.
You should be SO proud of yourself for taking steps towards change in your life! You may be here because you're exhausted from doing it all on your own. Maybe you feel life transitions and changes are causing overwhelming symptoms of depression and anxiety? Are you seeking a professional to help you with integrating radical healing and medicines, like ketamine assisted therapy, in a safe manner? You need a space for you to honor and process the experiences that have made you into the person you are today. Let me help you navigate the changes to come and the behaviors that no longer serve your genuine self.
(720) 463-0753 View (720) 463-0753
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.