Experiences of Drug Use and Parenting among Women in Substance Abuse Treatment: An Exploratory Study

Subadra Panchanadeswaran, Dheeshana Jayasundara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore the multiple contexts of vulnerability, drug use and parenting for women in substance abuse treatment. Nineteen purposively sampled women provided qualitative data through semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that adverse childhood experiences and intimate partners were important pathways into drug use initiation. Identities as mothers emerged as a key finding, intimately linked to women's motivation to seek and complete treatment. Understanding the challenges to recovery among mothers in treatment is an important priority for social workers. This study highlights the complexity of women's experiences and suggests implications for future practice and research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)971-987
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Volume22
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Parenting
  • child abuse
  • drug treatment
  • motherhood
  • social support
  • women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anthropology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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