Examining Stressors and Available Parenting Resources for Opioid-Using Mothers: Qualitative Findings from an...

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Maternal Health
• Psychosocial Factors

Background:

• The opioid epidemic significantly impacts parents, with many mothers in substance use treatment programs experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Parenting stress is a critical factor influencing substance use and relapse among individuals with OUD.
• Understanding the specific stressors faced by mothers in treatment is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the common stressors experienced by mothers with OUD enrolled in inpatient substance use treatment.
• To identify themes related to these stressors and inform recommendations for targeted interventions.
• To assess the need and availability of parenting services for this population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with mothers diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Participants were enrolled in an inpatient substance use treatment program.
• Data analysis focused on identifying common themes of stressors and desired services.

Main Results:

• Mothers reported numerous parent-related, substance use-related, and other stressors both prior to and during treatment.
• A higher number of stressors were reported during substance use treatment compared to the period before treatment.
• Mothers expressed interest in receiving parenting services during treatment.

Conclusions:

• Mothers with OUD in treatment encounter substantial stressors, which intensify during the treatment period.
• There is a clear demand for parenting services among mothers undergoing substance use treatment.
• Current substance use treatment programs often lack integrated parenting resources, highlighting a critical gap in care.