Mothers in recovery: Women\u27s perceptions of a parenting program in an outpatient addiction treatment centre.

Addiction treatment interventions typically utilize residential and intensive outpatient programs where substance involved clients are removed from their environment and focus on reducing or eliminated their substance use. Research based on relational theory suggests that women may further benefit from different treatment approaches that are inclusive of their needs and roles as partners and mothers. The Early Childhood Development pilot project in Windsor, Ontario called Caring Connections, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, provides outpatient addiction, parenting and children\u27s programs at one site. This study explores women\u27s life situations and their perspectives of the parenting program delivered at Caring Connections. Results from a sample of seven in-depth interviews suggested that the mothers found: the parenting program to be a significant support in their recovery; increased confidence in their roles as mothers; they were motivated by their children to participate in recovery activities; they were dealing with complex issues in addition to their substance use including relapse; they continued to participate longer than the expected duration of the program; and they valued that their substance use and roles as mothers were not negatively judged. Implications for treatment planning are discussed and recommendations for further study are made. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2004 .S565. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-05, page: 1623. Adviser: K. Calderwood. Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2004