Mental health articles

Effects of Motherhood on Substance Use
Approximately one-third of those with substance use disorders are women of childbearing age .Rates of substance abuse in pregnancy and extending into early motherhood have seen gradual increases over time with 5 % of pregnant women aged 15–44 currently using illicit
drugs.It is further estimated that 9 % of children have at least one
parent who is dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs . Conversely,
up to 80 % of substance abusing women are mothers of at least one child and 70 % of women in substance abuse treatment programs have children .
Motherhood has its own set of interconnecting risk factors for substance abuse. These include single parenthood, poverty, unstable living conditions, minimal social resources and support, ongoing and past violence and abuse, and mental health problems .Women who are
gainfully employed may have fewer economic concerns, but are not exempt from stressors such as work–family conflict. This has been shown to be a risk factor significantly related to increased cigarette use and heavy alcohol use among employed mothers.

Young mothers appear to be a particularly vulnerable patient population. A
report from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that mothers aged 15–17 have a higher likelihood of using tobacco and marijuana products than their counterparts who are not mothers. Usage rates show that among young mothers, 35 % smoked cigarettes, 30 % used alcohol, and 11.7 % used marijuana in the past month. This early use increases the risk of developing future dependence to these and other illicit drugs. Furthermore, they have not been found to “grow out”
of substance use as they pass into adulthood. Early substance abuse among teen mothers has been shown to negatively impact their parenting capabilities, as well as increase the risk of drug abuse in their children.
Mothers with substance use disorders can experience low self-esteem, feel socially isolated, and have greater levels of life stress. Although they are able to recognize the negative consequences of their substance abuse on their children, they may feel powerless over their addiction. Substance abusing mothers list their children’s well-being as a major area of concern and tend to have guilt about their drug abuse as it relates to possible negative outcomes for their children . They are also more likely to temporarily alter their pattern of use to allow for caregiver responsibilities than men. Reunification with their children often proves to be a strong motivator in seeking substance abuse treatment.

Tags: substance use