Denver CARES — Addiction treatment center in Denver, CO

So I was a fytnol addict and homeless this place gave me a place to stay warm and sleep well and eat right. Had I been good all my life I wouldn't of needed help or found myself in situations where I felt disrespected. I could of froze to death or died of overdose but this place gave me a chance. I got sober and they helped me find a sober living so I didn't have to go back to the streets of West Colfax. Thank you Jesus for Denver CARES.

Yes if I can get this place of zero I would the staff is self-centered only worried about making a check a lot of them are not qualified to help people that are sick and suffering it takes a special kind of person to do this job

I’ve been in this program for several months now, and I can honestly say it’s been life-changing. I would recommend it to anyone who’s truly looking to make a positive change in their life. The staff here is amazing—supportive, understanding, and genuinely invested in your success. The program is flexible and works with your schedule, helping you become financially, emotionally, and mentally stable as you prepare for your next steps.

DO NOT COME HERE EVER!!! I got taken in, they put me in a cell worse than jail. They refused to give me a blanket refused to give me water when I was crying begging they laughed at me and shut the curtain like I was an animal in a cage. I heard another patient come in for detox and one of the employees started to hit on him. When I got moved to the “detox” room they do not give you medication to help you at all until after you’ve been there for hours even if you’re in pain. they won’t let you eat outside of scheduled times. And to top it all off one of the staff threw away my earrings I asked her to put with my “property”!!!!! If I could give 0 stars I would this place makes me SICKKK

Worst experience of my life!! The only difference between detoxing on the street and here is a bed. I was left to lay in bed all day began running a fever one day and the nurse just walked away didn't give me any for the fever. I eventually asked for something for the fever and it took hours to get Ibuprofen. No help from social workers finding treatment upon my release from detox I did that myself. All staff acted annoyed if you asked them questions or for help. I listened to a counselor tell a client that he was positive for HIV she didn't even close the door totally violated his HIPPA right to privacy. The only help here came in the form of NA and AA meetings that came from the outside. I don't understand why people who hate working there don't just quit to find something they like. I literally stopped trying to communicate with any of the staff. I could just stayed in my hotel room and had more access to medication for withdrawal symptoms!! This place needs to be closed down it has a horrible reputation and is well deserved.

Denver Cares staff work hard to insure patients safety and attentive to each person's needs when it came to detox treatment. Staff were on hand 24/7 to ensure the patient was safe. Counselors were available to help determining what programs fit the individual after detox. I would highly recommend anyone needing help with addiction to seek Professional treatment. It saved my life and I'm very thankful.

I got blackout at a concert and got sent here. they did not help me in any way at all, did not give me any water or food to help me sober up, treated me like i wasn't a human and locked me in a solitary room while i was sober because i asked for my contact case bc my eyes were burning and did not let me get someone to come get me. i eventually got sent to denver health bc i hit my head and thank god for that bc they treated me 10 times better here.

Updated Review 2024: This place has gone downhill quite a bit. My first two experiences with the facility were extremely positive, as you can see from my old post below. However they have struggled to cope in a post-covid environment. Due to the increased population of both homeless locals and the flood of migrants, they often find themselves being used as a homeless shelter by people who have no real interest in recovery. This and tightening administrative policies has resulted in an imbalance in their execution of withdrawal management, every trip to cares has become a roll of the dice. If you get an attentive nurse, you'll probably be well taken care of, if not, unfortunately not even medical orders from the Denver Health hospital will be followed. ANY withdrawal management is 100% at the nurse's discretion, and some exercise this discretion in cruel ways. Last year they botched my withdrawal management so badly that by the time they finally attempted to get it under control it was so bad that I couldn't orally take the medications that they provide there, I had to be transferred to the emergency room, but not before the shift change, when the new more experienced nurse saw the condition I was in she immediately called for an ambulance, this means that the first nurse intentionally let me suffer for unknown reasons, if she had agreed to administer the medication in proper time I could have avoided a trip to the hospital. Something similar happened this year, I arrived at their facility with a medication order from the Denver health hospital to begin me on withdrawal protocol. The nurse that did my intake checked the paperwork and said it looked in order and she also remarked that she had received a call from my doctor and that everything was squared away. She did not inform me that they no longer accept medication orders from the Denver health hospital, so I went into the detox and waited. Has the hours passed I became increasingly concerned, the nausea, clamminess, and racing thoughts were returning, and I was experiencing a overstimulated sensation in my head that I had previously experienced before a seizure. I explained all this to the nurse, but she remained adamant that she could not start the with the protocol until my symptoms of withdrawal were so severe that it would prevent me from taking oral medication. I started this particular withdrawal session in a pretty positive way over at Denver health, I had thus far avoided the initial wave of exorcist level vomiting. The nurse changed that, I returned to the hospital, vomiting the whole way, if you see the younger nurse who is short and wears her hair in a bun, run. Old Review 2021: This is an excellent facility. with knowledgeable and compassionate staff. It's not the most comfortable place I've ever stayed, but it wasn't meant to be. The facilities are a bit bare, probably because they are low cost and accept Medicaid, which makes this understandable. It is, however a clean and safe environment staffed by medical professionals that treated me with kindness and respect. They do receive many individuals who are in an extremely agitated state when they arrive, so I can see why the reviews skew negative, many people who are there simply want to leave as soon as possible and do not understand that process has required steps that need to be done for legal reasons. Yes it's often crowded and hectic, earplugs and a eye mask for sleep are recommended for detox patients, the lights are on 24/7 for safety reasons, depending on when you're there the noise will vary from non existent to game day loud. The care and resources they provided me personally were invaluable, and I can't thank them enough.

I entered Denver CARES Transitional Residential Treatment (TRT) and made a clear assessment of my goals with my counsellor at the beginning of treatment. One of these goals was to have enough savings in order to get my own living situation. I was told that even though the normal length of treatment was 90 some allowances were made for individuals who were compliant. If fact, while I was there I witnessed a handful of clients have there stay extended. When I reached the 90 day threshold I was told that I could no longer stay; despite only having reached 60% of my financial goal. I had to get a room at a weekly hotel, which quickly depleted my savings. My only option after a few weeks was to move back in with my wife - a relationship I was hoping to move past to become self sufficient and independent. The motivations of the staff is unclear and contradictory. I know of some staff who have little concern for the clients and are more interested in paying their mortgages and bills than to help people make real changes in their lives. I had high hopes when entering the program, only to have them dashed. If you are given options for treatment, put this towards the bottom of the list

Please please be cautious of this place. They target young girls who have been legally drinking and use an abduction style tactic to take them to detox. My daughter was "taken" by Denver Cares while trying to enjoy a concert at the Fillmore. She was with sober friends when she was targeted. They wouldn't disclose to her friends the location they took her to. She remained in isolation for hours. After panicking and screaming for help for literal hours, she was released after 15 hrs in solitary detox. She left their care covered in bruises. We made a police report because she was clearly assaulted by the staff. Even the police were mortified at the situation. I've contacted a patient advocate and we're awaiting the investigation to hopefully give us some answers. Be aware because this could've happened to anyone. My daughter is a responsible licensed professional who only went to watch a concert, and enjoy a few cocktails. The dispatch report didn't corroborate with what Denver Cares was trying to say happened. The staff there is beyond unprofessional and lack any training to deal with situations. The "counselor" named Caitlin Grady was condescending, crass, and displayed a huge lack of empathy. We were only trying to find out what happened to my daughter and who assaulted her. The "security guard" was heard making jokes about tasing patients. This was a nightmare and my daughter is sure to experience trauma from this incident for years to come.