Mothers’ Experiences of Supporting Adolescent Children Through Long-Term Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Abstract

Substance use disorder is a complex phenomenon that affects people in many different contexts. Adolescent substance abuse within families is a particular problem that merits ongoing study. In particular, the experiences of mothers in this context are not fully explored. In this narrative inquiry study, we explored the experiences of four mothers parenting children through long-term substance abuse treatment. Participants were recruited from a family-orientated long-term adolescent treatment center in Alberta, Canada. The mothers' experiences were explored within a three-dimensional narrative inquiry space of temporal, social, and situated experience. Four narrative accounts were co-composed, revealing personal, familial, social, and substance abuse-related complexities in mothers' experiences. Four narrative threads were also theorized: navigating complexities; loud silences; places, spaces, and the in-between; and living within one another's stories. These narrative threads are discussed in relation to health and social care practices. Recommendations for practice and research are made.

Experiences and coping strategies of parents living with adolescents misusing nyaope substance

“…The biographical profile of participants reflects that most of them were mothers living in the same household with adolescents misusing nyaope . This correlates with the findings by Smith, Estefan and Caine ( 2018 :512), who reported that because of the pressure on women to be ‘good mothers’, they are compelled to conform to the expected role of being nurturers within the family system. Only two participants were men (fathers) living in the same household with adolescents misusing nyaope .…”

Experiences of parents with an adolescent abusing substances admitted to a mental health institution in Giyani, South Africa

“…There also seems to be a link between substance abuse and mental illness, as many adolescents suffer from mental illness because of substance abuse (Kalam & Mthembu 2018 :468). Parents become angry and disappointed with their adolescents abusing substances, as it destroys the adolescent’s future and the expectations they may have for their child are not met (Smith, Estefan & Caine 2018 :517). Parents may experience stress in looking after adolescents who abuse substance as most of these abusers end up being affected by substance-related mental disorders, which may be experienced as a ‘family burden’.…”

“…Parents may experience stress in looking after adolescents who abuse substance as most of these abusers end up being affected by substance-related mental disorders, which may be experienced as a ‘family burden’. The majority of problems surrounding adolescent substance abuse have an impact on parents, yet little is known about their experiences (Smith et al 2018 :512).…”

“It’s a Bit of a Double-Edged Sword”: Motivation and Personal Impact of Bereaved Mothers’ Advocacy for Drug Policy Reform

“…Many of the bereaved mothers in our study spoke of being motivated by tremendous anger and disappointment in the health care system that was supposed to keep their child alive and healthy. Smith et al (2018) alluded to this as the “professional silences” experienced by the mothers in their study who were trying to support their adolescent children being treated for substance use disorder. Therefore, our findings underscore the need for governments and service providers to support a family-centered approach to help individuals who have a loved one struggling with substance use.…”