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Reclaiming normal life: mother's stages of recovery from drug use
1School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167-8312, USA.
Objective:
Pilot study to describe the process and stages of pregnant and postpartum women's recovery from drug addiction.
Design:
Naturalistic inquiry directed by the grounded theory approach of constant comparison and theoretical sampling, including individual interviews and a focus group.
Setting:
A hospital-affiliated, nurse-directed comprehensive drug treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women.
Participants:
Fourteen pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in substance abuse treatment completed individual interviews, and 3 substance abuse counselors completed a focus group.
Main Outcome Measures:
Grounded theory analysis of the process and stages of addiction and recovery.
Results:
Abstinence was short-lived unless supported by the long, intensive process of reconstructing an identity as a member of society. The basic process of recovery, "reclaiming normal life," consisted of four stages: "rescue or refuge," "no fun any more," "leaving drugs but not the life," and "building a life." An important transition point, "clearing up," was identified between the third and fourth stages. Nine dimensions of attitude changed across the stages.
Conclusions:
Nurses can assess women's stage of drug use or recovery, considering attitudes typical of each stage in nurse-patient interactions. Future research may enable tailoring of interventions to women's stages of addiction and recovery.