Single Mothers And Addiction
Single mothers often experience stressors, like emotional burnout and financial hardships, that can increase their risk of developing substance use disorders.
The Relationship Between Single Mothers And Addiction
Single mothers, defined as those raising at least one child with no spouse or partner in the home, are becoming more common in households across the United States. Unwed, divorced, or widowed single mothers make up 80% of single-parent families, and unfortunately, 30% of single mothers live below the poverty line.
Single mothers single-handedly run a household, put food on the table, and raise their children, which puts them at an increased risk of experiencing stressors, such as:
- Financial stress
- Emotional and mental burnout
- Loneliness
- Lack of time for self-care
- Social stigma
- Lack of social or familial support
- Divorce or co-parenting issues
These stressors can add up and make single mothers feel as if they are in a pressure cooker. This insurmountable stress can lead to an increase in the risk of substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Are Single Mothers At Risk Of Addiction?
Unfortunately, many people, regardless of marital status, use alcohol and drugs to cope with unresolved feelings related to trauma, loss, and stress. Single mothers who have experienced domestic violence, divorce, loss of child custody, or the death of a partner are at an increased risk of substance abuse because they may turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to deal with these hardships.
Financial stress, abuse, loneliness, past trauma, living in poverty, and poor self-care are all risk factors for developing a substance use disorder, and single motherhood is strongly correlated with each one of these risk factors.
Are There Risks For Children?
Addiction is highly rooted in genetics, and therefore, drug and alcohol misuse and addiction are commonly passed down from parents to children. Children who witness drug use in the home are also more likely to misuse drugs themselves, and children of addicted mothers are more likely to develop an addiction of their own. These children are also at risk of academic and social setbacks.
Children of single moms who struggle with addiction may also experience “role reversal,” where the child feels responsible for the well-being of the parent instead of the mother caring for the child. This can create poor boundaries in the mother-child relationship and leave the child feeling like they must be the caretaker in the relationship. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors that can follow them into adulthood. As adults, they are more at risk for substance misuse, mental health disorders such as depression, difficulty with parenting their children, interpersonal conflicts, and legal trouble.
Resources For Single Mothers Who Are Facing Addiction
One of the biggest barriers for single mothers accessing treatment for substance abuse is shame. Unfortunately, our society often views
Single mothers may feel embarrassed to admit they are struggling with a substance use disorder because they do not want to let their kids down, and they do not want to be viewed as a bad mother by their peers, family, and community. They may also be fearful of legal and societal repercussions and may fear that they are at risk of having their children taken away from them. This is especially true of single mothers who have no safety net, and as a result, they may choose to suffer in silence rather than seek treatment for their addiction.
It is important for single mothers who struggle with addiction to have support and resources so they can be successful in their recovery journey. Below is a list of resources to help educate yourself and your kids on addiction and your addiction recovery journey:
- Alcoholics Anonymous: This peer support treatment program offers 12-step meetings in community settings across the country.
- Alateen and Narateen: Provides support and educational resources for teenagers of parents struggling with alcohol and narcotic addictions.
- National Association for Children of Addiction: Provides support and resources for children and teenagers of parents struggling with addiction.
- Safe Families For Children: Can help provide temporary housing for children when single mothers need residential care for their addiction.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Offers education about addiction and also a confidential helpline.
Addiction Treatment Options For Single Mothers
Addiction treatment for single mothers does not differ much compared to addiction treatment options for other people. However, one crucial aspect is seeking an addiction treatment center that offers gender-specific addiction treatment, as there are different issues that women with children face when they are in treatment.
Being in a female-only treatment program provides a sense of support and community to other women without the presence of men. Sometimes, women may not want to open up and be vulnerable around men because they feel shame or fear or may have a past history of male abusers. Seeking out a gender-specific addiction treatment program can not only provide a strong sense of addiction community and resources, but women can share their experiences with motherhood and child raising.
Gender-specific addiction treatment services can offer all levels of care, including detox, outpatient care, intensive outpatient care, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment.
When searching for a female-only addiction treatment track, it is important to inquire if they provide childcare, family therapy, and therapy for children or teenagers. When seeking treatment as a single mother, consider asking the following questions:
- How will you support me as a mother?
- Do you provide childcare?
- Do you provide family therapy?
- Do you have an aftercare program?
- How can you help me educate my children about my recovery journey?
- Do you have any resources about scholarships or financial aid for single mothers?
It’s important to remember that addiction is a family disease, and more than likely, the children are affected by their mother’s addiction to some degree. The treatment team should provide the tools and support to enable the mother to speak with her child about her journey.
Children are very observant, and keeping information from them can be detrimental. It is important to learn age-appropriate tools and communication styles and be open with them. This can also be done in family therapy. This can also be termed “parent coaching,” in which parents learn communication and coping skills that relate to parenting so they can appropriately communicate with their children about their addiction and recovery journey.
Treatment providers work with many insurances, including:
Check if my insurance covers rehab
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What Will Happen To My Children While I’m In Treatment?
One of the primary reasons why single mothers do not seek treatment for their addiction is because they are scared to leave their children or do not have the proper resources to provide for their children when they are in addiction treatment. Childcare is essential, and children must be cared for so the mother can concentrate on her recovery journey.
If your children are school-aged, then outpatient therapy can be beneficial because you can go to treatment while your children are in school, and you can still be their caretaker at home. Outpatient services range from regular outpatient care to intensive outpatient care and partial hospitalization.
Even if you feel that you can handle your treatment and caretaking responsibilities on your own, it may be wise to have a close friend, family member, schoolteacher, or babysitter on hand to help you care for your kids when you are struggling or have to go to a recovery meeting. It is important to entrust a tribe of individuals who can support you on your journey, which includes helping to care for your children when necessary.
If you need a higher level of care, such as residential treatment, you will need to find a rehab that provides childcare services, find a safe place for your children to stay, or have someone stay in your home to take care of your children. Resources such as Safe Families for Children can be helpful, or you may reach out to close family and friends.
It is important to be open and honest with your addiction treatment team about your social and financial status, your support group (or lack of), and your concerns about your children and childcare. A respectable addiction treatment center should be able to consider all these factors when assessing your treatment needs and level of care. Some residential programs that are tailored toward single mothers allow mothers to bring their children to rehab with them. Spend time looking for programs that can provide services to you and your children.
Financial Assistance For Single Mothers During Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment can be expensive, and supporting children on a single income can mean that many single mothers do not have extra funds to help cover their addiction treatment. Most addiction treatment facilities accept major medical insurances, so you must talk to your medical insurance provider to see that your treatment is covered. There are also options for financial aid and scholarships, some of which are geared toward single mothers.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
If you are a single mother looking to start your recovery journey, there is no better time than today. Focusing on your health now can lead to a happier, healthier future for you and your children. Contact a treatment provider to learn more and explore your rehab options.