Finding the right treatment for opioid addiction can feel impossible when providers are hours away. Colorado faces a serious problem: large parts of the state have limited access to medication-assisted treatment. Many counties have zero providers who can prescribe buprenorphine, forcing people to travel long distances or go without care. Denver has more options than rural areas, but even here, finding available treatment can be tough.
What Are MAT Deserts?
A MAT desert is an area where addiction treatment is hard to reach. The term describes places where the nearest provider is more than 30 minutes away by public transportation. Research shows that when treatment is just one mile farther away, the chance of someone completing their program drops by 50%.
Only 31 of Colorado’s 64 counties have at least one buprenorphine provider. That leaves half the state without local access to this life-saving medication.
Why Colorado Struggles with Access
Several factors create these treatment gaps:
Provider shortage
Not enough doctors have waivers to prescribe buprenorphine. Only 54 percent of waived providers in Colorado actually wrote prescriptions in recent years.
Rural areas hit hardest
Urban counties have 89 percent of all waived providers. This leaves rural communities with few or no options nearby.
Provider concerns
Many doctors who could prescribe buprenorphine choose not to. Some worry about being overwhelmed with requests. Others lack the staff or resources to support MAT programs properly.
Cost barriers
Even when treatment is available, high costs keep people from getting help. This adds financial stress to an already difficult situation.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
MAT combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy. It’s considered the gold standard for treating opioid addiction.
Three main medications are used:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade) – Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Methadone – Long-acting medication that prevents withdrawal
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol) – Blocks the effects of opioids
MAT decreases opioid use, opioid-related overdose deaths, criminal activity, and infectious disease transmission.
How Does Buprenorphine Work?
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It activates the same brain receptors as other opioids but in a much milder way. This helps people avoid painful withdrawal symptoms without getting high.
The medication comes in several forms:
- Pills or sublingual films (dissolve under the tongue)
- Monthly injections (Sublocade)
When someone is treated for an opioid addiction, the dosage of medication used does not get them high – it helps reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal.
Is Buprenorphine Just Replacing One Drug with Another?
No. This is a common myth that stops people from getting help.
Buprenorphine is not an opiate substitute and does not provide feelings of getting ‘high’ or extreme euphoria. It’s a safe, effective medication that helps people function normally while they work on recovery.
Think of it like any other chronic disease treatment. People with diabetes take insulin. People with opioid use disorder can take buprenorphine.
Finding Buprenorphine Treatment in Denver
Denver has more treatment options than most Colorado cities. Here’s what you should look for:
Types of Treatment Programs
Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs)
These clinics offer methadone and buprenorphine with required counseling. Colorado has 22 licensed OTPs statewide.
Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT)
Primary care doctors and specialists can prescribe buprenorphine in their regular offices. This option offers more flexibility.
Hospital-Based Programs
Some Denver hospitals now offer MAT in emergency departments. This helps people start treatment right when they need it most.
Questions to Ask Providers
Before choosing a program, ask:
- What medications do you offer?
- Do you accept my insurance?
- How quickly can I get an appointment?
- What counseling services are included?
- Can I get take-home doses?
- What happens if I relapse?
What If I Live Outside Denver?
If you’re in a rural area, you have a few options:
Telehealth services
Some providers now offer virtual appointments for buprenorphine treatment. This can reduce travel time.
Travel to urban centers
While not ideal, many rural residents travel to Denver or Colorado Springs for treatment.
Primary care providers
Check if your local doctor has a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. They might not advertise this service.
Support programs
Programs like IT MATTTRs offer financial incentives and training to help more providers offer MAT in underserved areas.
People Also Ask
How long does MAT treatment last?
Treatment length varies by person. Some people need short-term help (a few months), while others benefit from long-term maintenance (years). Your provider will work with you to find what works best.
Can I work while on buprenorphine?
Yes. Most people function normally on properly prescribed buprenorphine. It doesn’t cause impairment like active opioid use does.
Will insurance cover MAT?
Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover MAT services. Grant funding and sliding-scale options exist for people without insurance.
Breaking Down Barriers
Getting help shouldn’t be this hard. But understanding the system helps you find what you need.
Remember these key points:
- MAT is evidence-based and effective
- Buprenorphine is not just “replacing one drug with another”
- Denver has more resources than rural Colorado
- Walk-ins and emergency services are available
- Insurance usually covers treatment
Support Beyond Medication
Medication alone isn’t enough. Complete recovery includes:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Support groups
- Life skills training
- Mental health treatment
- Family support
The best programs address both the physical and emotional aspects of addiction.
Getting Treatment at True North Recovery Services
At True North Recovery Services in Denver, we understand that addiction treatment needs to address the whole person. We offer comprehensive outpatient programs that combine evidence-based therapies with compassionate care. Our team provides multiple levels of support, from partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient programs, helping people build lasting recovery. We treat opioid addiction alongside co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Contact us at (720) 271-3639 to learn how we can support your recovery journey.