We believe that the root of addiction is ruptured attachment. People who have attachment disruptions and disorders turn to substances and/or other maladaptive coping strategies as a means of establishing ‘safety’. Because the individual initially has an element of control, they can build a false sense of safety and security that they have been searching for. This compulsive means of self-soothing then turns into an addiction in and of itself. Because of the ongoing need to fill the ‘void’ and the person’s underlying attachment issues, it becomes increasingly difficult for the person to maintain healthy relationships. The person finds themselves in dysfunctional relationships with their substances or behaviors, romantic or sexual partners, families, and friends. This chaos and dysfunction mirror the dysfunction in their relationships with themselves. The person then leans further into their substance use or behaviors to manage the feelings resulting from the dysfunction.

At Momenta, we understand that clients come into treatment with this history. From the moment the client arrives, the recovery process begins. Our staff understands the importance of helping clients deal with their attachment wounds. We understand that when clients fight back, distance themselves, or show resistance,  these are their survival mechanisms. Many of our clients struggle with deep senses of abandonment and subconsciously recreate these conditions. Our staff continues to engage with the clients and show up for them in a way that they likely have not experienced. This helps to open the door to the idea that people can, and do, love them even when they are struggling. In helping our clients establish new relationships and safety, this allows their nervous systems to re-regulate and establish a new baseline.

The second essential intertwined concept it is present throughout treatment is in relationship post-traumatic stress disorder an adverse childhood experiences and adverse experiences. For the vast majority of the women seeking treatment trauma who's in normal part of their childhood and young adulthood which resulted in then seeking substances is a way to cope with the emotional pain resulting from these experiences. 

All staff are trained in Trauma informed care and all clinical staff have extensive training and experience in the understanding, impact and treatment of trauma.  While trauma informed care begins the moment a client arrives at Momenta the trauma specific treatment begins after a client has stabilized and is able to demonstrate the ability to emotionally regulate with the help of a staff member or on their own. 

Finally, it is the rule not the exception that the individuals in need of residential care have co-occurring mental health disorder(s) in addition to an addiction or vice versa.  Accordingly, all clinical staff at Momenta Recovery hold at least a master’s degree in counseling or a counseling related field and have the knowledge, skills and licensure to treat mental health disorders.

All clinical staff also have additional education, skills, and licensure in addictions thereby, giving them the ability to fully understand how an individual’s mental health and addiction impact each other and the best way to progress through treatment for the resolution of all presenting problems.