| Motherhood is one of the greatest and most | | | | since substance abuse is linked to victimization and |
| rewarding challenges that a woman can take on in | | | | violence, it is critical that the interacting chain of |
| her life. No one will deny that it's extremely stressful | | | | events be interrupted." |
| - but some women cope with this stress through | | | | Mothers who abuse drugs while pregnant can |
| means that can become addictive and destructive. | | | | interfere with their children's cognitive development, |
| Years ago, the Rolling Stones had a hit with "Mother's | | | | and often prove to have difficulties as caregivers |
| Little Helper," satirizing housewives who used pills to | | | | even after reducing their drug use, according to the |
| get through the day. However, addiction among | | | | National Institute on Drug Abuse. |
| mothers is no laughing matter, as seen on Oprah | | | | Is it possible for an addicted mother to get clean? In |
| Winfrey's talk show. In Utah, the number of women | | | | 2005, Dr. Robert J. Ackerman, Director of the |
| admitted to treatment centers increased 144 percent | | | | Mid-Atlantic Addiction Training Institute, told a mother |
| between 2001 and 2002. And the "mother's little | | | | who'd been addicted to crystal meth for 12 years |
| helpers" have gone from prescription pills to more | | | | that "with the right treatment and support, the |
| serious drugs - recent reports show an increasing | | | | answer is yes." Ackerman went on to explain that |
| number of suburban moms are addicted to crystal | | | | addicts need to find a new way to live. "Often, |
| meth. | | | | addicts think the world is 'normal' when they are high |
| The consequences of these addictions are, to say | | | | and have difficulty handling every day life with out |
| the least, severe. According to a study by the | | | | their drugs," Ackerman said. "Thus, becoming 'normal' |
| University of Buffalo Social Work Facility, mothers | | | | will take on an entirely different meaning in recovery |
| tend to punish children more heavily when they have | | | | for addicts." |
| drug and alcohol problems. The study looked outside | | | | For addicted mothers, it is possible to get clean - but |
| the range of behavior that could be construed as | | | | also to make sure that they're prepared to face the |
| child abuse, demonstrating that mothers who drank | | | | world that's waiting for them once they get clean. |
| or tried drugs reacted more extremely to situations | | | | It's a situation that requires both intense treatment |
| involving their children's behavior, often relying on | | | | and a period of recovery to make sure that the |
| harsh language or spankings as a way of dealing with | | | | treatment sticks. Staying off drugs is a lifelong |
| their children while impaired. | | | | choice, one that affects not only a mother, but her |
| Many of these mothers came from families where | | | | children as well. A woman who's accepted the |
| their own parents dealt with addiction. "There is | | | | challenge of motherhood needs to be ready to face |
| evidence that these victimization histories may | | | | another, equally-difficult challenge - protecting her |
| contribute to their alcohol- and drug-abuse problems, | | | | mind and body for the sake of herself and her |
| which, in turn, contribute to the style of punishment | | | | children. |
| they use with their children," the study said. "And | | | | |