Mothers who choose to participate in treatment may feel guilty about leaving their families. Focusing on their well-being and health might cause feelings of shame or guilt. However, if left untreated, substance use disorder (SUD) has the potential to affect every member of a family negatively. According to the International Journal of High Risk Behaviors and Addiction, “[A]bout 32.4% (588,764) of admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities were women.” Also, “The majority of these women . . . have children, and are the primary childcare provider.”

Emerge Recovery TX understands the pressures mothers face in treatment and recovery. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and standard outpatient programs (OP) allow mothers to get the help they need while being able to connect with their families every day.

What Is It Like to Be a Mother While in Treatment?

As a mother, you encounter a lot of pressure to meet societal standards. If you don’t have a strong support system in early recovery, the pressure can feel overwhelming. Clinicians at Emerge Recovery TX use evidence-based methods and holistic therapies to help mothers overcome challenges and gain self-confidence.

Some of the challenges you may face in recovery include the following:

• Spending a significant amount of time each week away from loved ones
• Having withdrawal and detox symptoms that may confuse younger family members
• Finding ways to ensure every member of the family receives the support they need

Treatment programs offer a safe space where you can learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors in your life. Programs like Emerge Recovery TX offer mothers the choice of IOP or OP treatment programs. These programs allow you to spend nights and the weekend at home while continuing to bond with your children.

Substance Abuse Is a Family Disease

Untreated addictive behaviors affect every member of the family. Women may try to hide their substance abuse from their families. However, secretive and self-isolating behavior can cause conflict within relationships. Often, the entire family needs professional treatment to process how substance misuse has affected their lives. Emerge Recovery TX facilitates family therapy for those in recovery.

Substance abuse has the potential to affect families by doing the following:

• Increasing the risk of children, siblings, and significant others developing SUD or mental health disorders
• Causing relationship issues between parents and children, couples, or other family members
• Giving rise to children’s feelings of guilt or self-blame for their parent’s abuse of substances
• Causing younger children to act out or self-isolate

Mothers face unique challenges before and during recovery. However, the Emerge Recovery care team ensures women in treatment develop essential life skills to manage issues affecting their families. Additional family support services can also help women repair relationships with loved ones.

Increasing Confidence for Mothers in Treatment

Mothers deserve to play an active role in their children’s lives during early recovery. Family and individual therapy can support mothers in forming deeper bonds with their children and significant others.

According to a publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) called Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women, women have particular needs in recovery. SAMHSA states that studies have shown, “Women need a treatment environment that is supportive, safe, and nurturing; the therapeutic relationship should be one of mutual respect, empathy, and compassion.”

Emerge Recovery TX helps women increase self-confidence by providing the following:

• A stable environment where mothers feel valued and supported
• Opportunities to achieve additional education
• Access to family-centered therapies

Care teams help clients with children find healthy ways to balance recovery with their parental responsibilities.

How Does Substance Abuse Affect Families?

Family members often feel scared, guilty, and confused when they learn that a loved one has been diagnosed with SUD. Some children and significant others may also feel isolated from peers and unsure how to address their feelings of betrayal, loneliness, or anxiety.

Fortunately, family treatment allows everyone to receive support. Emerge Recovery TX also educates family members about what to expect from recovery and treatment. Transitioning to continuing care is often easier for women whose families understand what they have experienced.

How Can an IOP Help Mothers in Treatment?

Emerge Recovery TX offers several treatment programs, including an IOP and OP. In these programs, women attend treatment three days a week for a minimum of eight weeks. The flexibility of outpatient treatment makes it easier for mothers to recover from SUD without leaving their families for weeks or months.

Mothers benefit from taking advantage of the many services and treatments IOP programs offer, including:

• Case management
• Individual and group therapy
• Prescription medications for managing severe symptoms
• Peer support

Attending an IOP allows you to continue spending time with your family at night and throughout the weekend without endangering your sobriety. In this type of program, you have an entire team of clinicians helping you navigate motherhood during recovery. You’ll have support every step of the way. Additionally, an IOP has the added benefit of transitioning into OP and then continuing care. The gradual transition through levels of care increases your independence and time with your family while ensuring you benefit from structured treatment.

Mothers have to cope with many challenges during early recovery. The good news is that women in treatment and aftercare can successfully recover while supporting and nurturing their children. Clinicians at Emerge Recovery TX provide resources and services to help mothers deepen family bonds while healing from the effects of substance abuse. Mothers often don’t have the luxury of spending significant time away from their families, especially if they have younger children. Emerge Recovery TX offers intensive outpatient and outpatient programs. The inherent freedom of outpatient care allows mothers to spend more time with their families during treatment and aftercare. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (737) 237-9663.