Over the last two decades, researchers and service providers in the field of addictions have come to realize that women experience their addictions and respond to treatment differently than men. This realization has led to the development of addiction services that respond to the specific needs of women.

 

Women’s experience of addiction often involves intense feelings of shame and guilt about how their use of substances has affected their children. These feelings can prevent women from seeking support during pregnancy and when they are struggling with parenting challenges. These feelings are also a common cause of relapse in women who have successfully completed an addiction treatment program.

 

In this workshop, participants explore ways of working with substance-involved mothers that help them set aside some of their shame and guilt and reclaim their mothering identities. These approaches can be used with mothers whose children live with them as well as mothers whose children are in care; with pregnant women who will parent their unborn infant and pregnant women whose children may be apprehended at birth.

 

COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES

• Myths about women with addictions

• Alternative healing practices (e.g. mind-body and art-based practice)

• “Reclaiming environments” for substance-involved mothers and their children

• Culture - based support: What can this look like?

 

This workshop introduces participants to relevant psychological theories and principles. The emphasis is on learning through storytelling, women-centred rituals, and group reflection.