Momenta is a new addiction rehabilitation facility that recently opened in Glenwood Springs, CO, offering both out and inpatient mental health and substance abuse services.
Momenta was founded by Mandy Owensby, who has been in recovery for close to six years. As a mother of two, Owensby strived to create a program that specifically helped both women and mothers after her own difficulties finding programs that would accept her with her children.
Prior to opening the rehabilitation center, she worked in human services. It was during this time that Owensby noticed there was a shortage of local treatment resources for patients, who instead had to be referred to programs out of state.
Momenta clinician Bailey Allison said that economic struggles have been a contributing factor to rising addiction trends in the state. She added that a lack of psychiatrists and physicians who can provide treatment in rural communities such as Glenwood Springs has further highlighted the problem. Furthermore, there has been a rise in substance abuse and suicides in mountain communities, claims Owensby.
The Colorado Department of Health & Environment estimated that almost 960 total drug poisoning deaths happened in 2017 which represents a 5-year high for the state. In turn, Gov. John Hickenlooper recently passed a law to maintain the Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force.
During October 2017, the task force set up a subcommittee that focused on supporting and protecting children who have parents or caregivers that have substance abuse issues. Many mothers with substance use disorders fear losing custody of their children, Owensby said, and many of them may refuse to seek help until their substance abuse is severe.
Utilizing a holistic approach to recovery, Momenta staff focus not only on mother-child relationships, but on the whole family. Using a 12-step model, the treatment center offers family therapy, nutrition, fitness and more courses for patients.
In addition to Momenta, only three other programs — in Grand Junction, Denver and Pueblo — offer similar services, according to Owensby.
There are two buildings which make up the facility. The first houses 18 women in the treatment program, while the second one has room for six women who have finished treatment and are working on rejoining society.
Owensby requires patients to complete a minimum of ninety days of treatment. She believes that the longer patients receive treatment services, the more likely they are able to stick to a long term recover plan. Additionally, longer treatment may help to eliminate patient ‘triggers’.
The opening of Momenta has created a lot of interest, and Owensby believes she may soon have a waiting list for patients.
