Glenwood Springs, Co. has a new addiction treatment center, Momenta, offering mental health and substance use disorder services to both outpatients and inpatients.
It was founded by Mandy Owensby, a mother of two who had previously been in recovery for her own addiction. She wanted to create a program that specifically serviced both women and mothers after she had difficulties finding programs that would accept her with her children.
Prior to opening the addiction treatment center, Owensby worked in human services. During that time she noticed that there was a lack of local treatment resources for patients, who instead had to be referred to programs out of state.
Many mothers with substance use disorders fear losing custody of their children, Owensby said. She added that many of them may not seek help until their substance abuse becomes severe. Aside from Momenta, Owensby said, only three other programs — in Grand Junction, Denver and Pueblo — offer similar services.
Momenta staff utilize a holistic approach to recovery, not only focusing on mother-child relationships, but on the entire family. Based on a 12-step model, the treatment center offers family therapy, fitness, nutrition and other courses for patients.
Patients are required to commit to a minimum of 90 days of treatment. Owensby believes that the longer they receive treatment services, the more likely they will be able to sustain a long-term recovery plan. ‘Triggers’ that may lead to a drug relapse may also be reduced by a longer treatment.
There’s been a rise in substance abuse and suicides in mountain communities, Owensby said.
The Colorado Department of Health & Environment estimated that nearly 960 total drug poisoning deaths occurred in 2017. This number represents a 5-year high for the state.
Gov. John Hickenlooper recently passed a law to maintain the Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force in Colorado.
In October of 2017, the task force instigated a subcommittee that focused on protecting and supporting children whose parents or caregivers have substance use disorders.