Relaxing Environment

Mountain Springs Recovery flanks the eastern edges of the Rocky Mountains. Located in the center of Colorado, the facility provides multiple levels of addiction treatment, from detox to therapy to preparing an aftercare plan.

Clients will have Mountain’s expert guidance every step of the way. Even though it provides skilled medical care for all levels of addiction recovery, Mountain Springs feels far from clinical, with its resort-like feel. There is no blackout period, and patients can keep connected with employers and loved ones so long as they stick to their therapy schedules.

Mountain Springs has medical professionals on-site who see patients on a one-on-one basis. Group facilitators oversee group therapy sessions. Each patient also is assigned a case manager, who will work with the client to shape their recovery plan, both on-site and after checkout.

A recovery advocate also works to bridge the gap between patients and staff, to facilitate communication and ensure patients’ needs and concerns are addressed. All staff receive continuing education on a monthly and annual basis to better help patients recover from substance use disorder.

Besides group and one-on-one therapies, patients will have plenty of options to recover and refresh. Chefs prepare three nutritious and delicious meals a day, as well as snacks. When a client needs quiet time they can settle in by the large stone fireplace or retreat to the meditation room.

Yoga classes and the fitness centers allow clients to build strength and boost endorphins naturally. Patients may gather in lounging areas or by the pool to socialize or to swim. Group activities include Sunday hikes, bowling, movies, kickball, and volleyball.

When patients arrive they receive an initial assessment. Intake coordinators explain what to expect in the days and weeks to come. A nurse and a detox clinician perform medical and psychological evaluations. This helps compile a complete and up-to-date picture of the patient’s health, information which is used to shape a treatment plan.

Detoxification is the first stage of recovery, where the patient weans off drugs or alcohol. Because it can be one of the most challenging chapters of a person’s rehabilitation, Mountain Springs has two four-bed rooms where patients can detox in comfort and safety. Specialists provide quick, personalized care throughout the process, minimizing the more uncomfortable stages of withdrawal, like vomiting and nausea.

Mountain Springs offers a number of treatments to its patients over the course of 30, 60, or 90 days of treatment, which its medical staff will prescribe to help their recovery along. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common. It works on changing negative thinking patterns and behaviors, and helps the patient develop healthier coping strategies.

Some clinicians help patients through trauma with EMDR treatment, particularly if they will have a longer stay at Mountain. Holistic therapies like meditation, art, and yoga are also offered. In the future patients will be able to extend their stays at Mountain to focus on mental health concerns.

Mountain Springs’ staffers will pick up patients from anywhere within a two-hour radius, which includes Denver International Airport, which is less than an hour away. Once patients arrive they’ll be greeted by friendly faces, who will take a complete medical history and give a tour.

Clients receive thorough medical and mental health examinations so a unique treatment plan can be prescribed for their needs. They may undergo detox, and once they’ve completed that phase they’ll move into their room and begin a schedule that includes talk therapy and counseling, designed to heal both the mind and the body.

Even though Mountain Springs is a treatment facility, it also serves as a temporary home for clients. To further facilitate healing, the clinic feels more like a hotel, where patients can let go of day-to-day stresses and focus on recovery, take part in skills-building exercises, and dine on freshly prepared meals three times a day.

The pool is the perfect place to take a dip. The grounds boast a pond stocked with trout. Guests are allowed (with permission) on Sundays, and group outings are regularly scheduled.

Colorado has four seasons — sometimes all four in the course of a day. Out-of-town visitors are advised to pack for anything, just in case. That means the potential for snow squalls in July but also July weather in January. Or vice-versa. It’s a good idea to pack essentials, but Mountain can provide travel-size toiletries like soaps, toothpaste, and deodorant, as needed. In the warmer seasons, bring a swimsuit for pool time.

There are shops nearby, too, for patients who have permission to leave after their therapies for the day. Patients may wish to bring their laptop or cell phones, to keep in touch. Notebooks are a good idea, too, as they’re great for journaling, which can be a helpful component of therapy.