Being a mother in recovery is not an impossible task, but it can be challenging. There are many reasons why mothers in particular may struggle with recovery. One is the fear of how your mental health struggles may impact your children. There is also our society and how it holds a heavy stigma over anyone struggling with addiction and mental health. Perhaps the most difficult challenge of all is finding the words to explain to your children what you have gone through in a way they can understand. Being a mother in recovery is tough, but anything is possible when you have the right help.
At Painted Desert Recovery, mothers are but some of the many types of women who seek addiction treatment. It’s a safe place, offering a supportive environment for women to recover in comfort and peace. Painted Desert Recovery employs staff who are well aware of the specific challenges a mother in recovery may face. That is why Painted Desert Recovery provides mothers in active treatment and recovery with the skills and resources they need to succeed. Education is important, especially when it comes to mental health disorders and addiction. By educating the public about the challenges a mother in recovery faces, stigma is reduced and encourages more mothers to seek help.
Facing Stigma as a Mother in Recovery
As mentioned before, there is a lot of stigma surrounding not just mothers, but women in recovery as well. Women in general are expected to be perfect, quiet, and support others over themselves. When women struggle with addiction or are in recovery, the typical reaction is to find a reason to blame them for their struggles. Nobody deserves an addiction, and addiction is never a punishment. Even when a woman achieves recovery, she will still face stigma, even more so if she is a mother in recovery.
A mother in recovery is often accused of not being fit to raise their children, even if they had been sober for years. It’s common for them to be viewed with suspicion, believing it’s only a matter of time before they experience a relapse. The truth is that though a relapse can happen, care is taken to teach those in recovery ways to prevent them. Preventative mental health care is important for recovery, and many mothers in recovery use this resource to prevent a relapse.
There are too many specific stigmas a mother in recovery will face to list them all. The important thing is to learn how to live a happy and successful life despite them. Part of addiction treatment is learning how to do just that. For example, clients are taught how to create a support network. Having a support network of fellow peers who can offer support and understanding is essential for staying in recovery. Painted Desert Recovery provides a place for mothers in recovery to connect and form long-lasting relationships.
It’s also important to learn how to ignore what others may think of you. What they think doesn’t matter; what truly matters is being able to care for yourself and your loved ones.
Talking About Mental Health With Children
Another challenge a mother in recovery will often face is explaining their recovery to their children. Of course, the conversation has to be appropriate for their age. Children cannot grasp some concepts until their brains have developed enough to do so. Sometimes a mother in recovery will be afraid of how their children will react to their recovery. It’s especially true if the children have witnessed the effects of addiction on their mother.
This fear can be relieved with the help of a mental health care professional. Treatment providers can help mothers in recovery find the appropriate words to explain what they have gone through to their children. Sometimes therapy for the children themselves is helpful, which allows them to process what they have seen under the guidance of a professional. Being a mother in recovery isn’t just recovering from addiction to help yourself. It’s also providing help for their children as well. it’s possible to undergo therapy together, which can help bridge the gap between mother and child to foster understanding and mutual respect.
Finding Time for Help as a Mother in Recovery
Perhaps the biggest challenge a mother in recovery faces is finding time to get the help they need. Mothers tend to be incredibly busy. Many times, they are juggling childcare, household duties, and a job at the same time. There are only so many hours in a day, and finding a place to undergo addiction treatment can be difficult. Children are also unpredictable, and you never know when one will get sick or require focus. Even when a mother finishes addiction treatment, there are still important tasks that must be done to keep them in recovery. Finding time for yourself as a mother in recovery to maintain your mental health can be quite the balancing act.
Luckily, flexible treatment options options exist. At Painted Desert Recovery, mothers have the options of day treatment and intensive outpatient therapy. Both allow mothers in recovery the flexibility needed to get the help they need while being able to perform the tasks of motherhood. How much time is needed is dependent on the specific treatment program. However, treatment providers will work with moms to fit treatment into their busy schedules.
It’s essential to understand that even though it can be challenging, mothers can recover from addiction and stay in recovery. They can repair the bond between mother a child and create stronger and healthier relationships. Anything is possible as long as you have hope and have the drive to improve your life, especially for a mother in recovery.
One of the most challenging things a woman can do is become a mother. It becomes further complicated when the mother is also in recovery from addiction. It’s important to state that someone can do both and have a happy and healthy family life. However, it takes help to balance their lives in a way where themselves, their children, and their recovery can be cared for. Here at Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah, women learn how to create this balance so they can live healthy lives. With quality treatment and the help of mental health care professionals, anyone can achieve recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait. Call (844) 540-0353 today.
