Making Recovery Possible for Moms

A look at recent statistics reveals the need for inpatient family-based rehab:¹

In the U.S., roughly 1 in 8 children ages 17 and younger are living in households with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder.
7 million children are at increased risk for substance-related child maltreatment and child welfare involvement.
5 million children (about 1 in 10 kids) live in households with at least one parent who had a past-year alcohol use disorder.
1 million children (about 1 in 35 kids) live in households with at least one parent who had a past-year illicit drug use disorder.

Sadly, children can be a barrier for many parents who need inpatient rehab – specifically for mothers. Many have no one to take care of their kids while they get treatment, or they simply can’t be away from their kids for an extended period of time. Fortunately, inpatient family rehab removes this barrier and gives mothers the opportunity to get the help they need – and bring their children with them.

What is an Inpatient Family Rehab?

Inpatient family-based rehab allows mothers to receive substance use treatment in a residential setting while keeping their kids with them. Both the parent and the child live at the facility while the mother undergoes treatment. With this arrangement, mothers are able to spend time with their children and continue to care for them, but childcare is available so parents can participate in treatment sessions.

School-aged children typically attend school while the mother participates in therapy. Children also participate in age-appropriate treatment to address their own needs. Inpatient family-based rehab programs may employ child development specialists, certified childcare staff, and other child specialists to provide care and treatment for the children.

This treatment for the kids is crucial since children in homes where an adult abuses alcohol or drugs are more likely to experience:²

Emotional and behavioral problems
Low self-esteem
Higher risk of abuse
Higher risk of anxiety or depression
Earlier experimentation with alcohol or drugs
Poor school performance

These “family-centered” treatment centers first appeared during the 1980s crack epidemic. In the 1990s, Congress funded the development of a series of pilot projects for women’s residential treatment centers meant to provide onsite child care. The number of facilities has grown significantly in the past two decades, but their numbers are still very small. In fact, less than four percent of the nation’s rehab centers offer beds for the clients’ children, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).³

What Are the Benefits of a Family-Based Inpatient Rehab?

Family rehab can be extremely beneficial for mothers and children. First, mothers can have peace of mind that their children are safe and taken care of while they attend treatment. This allows the parent to commit to inpatient rehab treatment and focus on their recovery.

An analysis by SAMHSA looked at 50 inpatient rehab centers that offered childcare and other family support services. It estimated every $1 spent on these programs saved $3.70 in reduced crime, welfare costs, and foster care.⁴

Other benefits of inpatient family rehab include:

Improved family relationships
Improved mental health
Improved parenting skills
Safe housing for the parent and children
Structured programs for both parents and children
Identification and treatment of mental health disorders in children (depression, anxiety, ADHD)
Reduced risk of relapse
Less likelihood of children being placed in foster care
Fewer day-to-day distractions, so parents can focus on recovery and their relationship with their children

What Happens at an Inpatient Family Rehab?

While mothers and children are in family rehab, they participate in a variety of programs. Treatment for the parent focuses on addiction recovery and life skills, as well as classes on parenting, cooking, household budgeting, and relationships with children. Common inpatient family rehab services include the following.

Treatment for Mothers

During inpatient family-based rehab, mothers may receive one or more of these services.

Detox – During this initial phase of recovery, your body is cleansed of all addictive substances. You may receive medical treatment during this time to treat withdrawal symptoms.
Substance use and mental health counseling – Therapies often applied during substance use treatment include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – This method helps you manage substance use triggers to avoid relapse.
- Motivational interviewing – This helps increase your motivation to complete treatment and make life changes.
- Multidimensional family therapy – This addresses family issues affected by addiction and helps improve family relationships.
Child development education – You’ll learn about what to expect as your child learns and grows.
Parenting classes – These classes teach you how to handle parenting in healthy ways.
Anger management classes – In these classes, you learn calming techniques and how to keep your emotions in check so you can express anger in healthy ways.
Employment readiness education – You’ll receive training that will help you obtain and keep employment so you can provide for yourself and your children.
Life skills classes – This training teaches social and behavioral skills that allow you to deal successfully with everyday life situations and challenges.

Treatment for Children

Children may participate in one or more of the following programs during family rehab.

Art therapy – Children are given the opportunity to express themselves and their emotions and struggles through art projects.
Recreation – Playing can help children release stress and learn new skills.
Journaling – Writing often helps children process the challenges of having a parent with an addiction.
Storytelling – Therapists may use a storytelling method to help children work through their questions, challenges, fears, and other emotions.
Roleplaying – During role-play, children act out scenarios, which reveals how they view their environment and relationships. Examples of scenarios include going to the store, talking to a teacher, and visiting the doctor.
Summer camp programs – These programs provide supervision and guided activities for children while their parent attends treatment.
Educational programs – Children may attend school or other learning-based programs to further their education.
Extracurricular activities – In addition to therapeutic programs, children may participate in activities that encourage fun, play, and exploring hobbies and interests.
12-step programs – Where appropriate, children may participate in 12-step programs designed for youth.

Is Family Rehab Right For You?

Are you struggling with alcohol or drug use? Do you want to get help, but aren’t sure how to get treatment and care for your children at the same time? If you’re looking for a safe, stable environment where you and your kids can get the help you need, inpatient family rehab might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Resources

Children living with parents who have a substance use disorder. (n.d.). www.samhsa.gov
Solis, J. M., Shadur, J. M., Burns, A. R., & Hussong, A. M. (2012). Understanding the Diverse Needs of Children whose Parents Abuse Substances. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.2174/1874473711205020135
San Antonio’s Mommies Program Supports Pregnant Mothers in Substance Use Recovery. (n.d.). www.samhsa.gov.
Family-Centered Treatment for Women With Substance Use Disorders – History, Key Elements, and Challenges. (n.d.). www.samhsa.gov.‌