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Treatment Approaches for Child Welfare Mothers with Addiction Problems: An Empirical Review to Guide Practice

NCJ Number
193642
Journal
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 5-24
Author(s)
Jacqueline Corcoran
Date Published
2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article explores the risks and treatment of child welfare mothers with addictions.
Abstract
Women’s health and physiological status appear to make them vulnerable for a more rapid progression of addiction. The children born to addicted mothers are also at increased risk for health problems and their consequences, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, HIV infection, and cognitive and motor development problems. Other risks come from an addicted mother’s unavailability for the maternal role. Despite the serious consequences for addicted women and their children, women represent only 8 percent of the treatment outcome research in the last 20 years. Due to the lack of research on substance-abusing child welfare mothers, it is necessary to look at the literature on addicted women and their characteristics in order to understand how services might be made more salient to women’s experiences. There are high rates of co-occurring mental health problems such as depression, and of physical victimization. Most of the available substance abuse treatment has been informed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Aside from the treatment approach, the main modality of treatment, group treatment, may also be problematic for women in treatment. Substance-abusing women involved with Child Protective Services typically have treatment needs beyond what an AA model can meet. Recommendations for service delivery with addicted mothers in the Child Protective Services system include in-home treatment; addressing housing or financial needs; domestic violence programs; vocational training; supportive types of treatment; and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Specialized treatment for child welfare mothers should address not only chemical abuse but also the range of clinical issues germane to female substance abusers, such as sexual abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. Motivational Enhancement Therapy, comprising only four sessions, may entail a manageable treatment requirement for child welfare clientele and a cost-effective alternative for the Child Protective Services system. Treatment programs must also address the issue of childcare and involvement of the family. 74 references