Parenting While in Recovery from Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction isn’t easy. Those in recovery need to set priorities and do what is right for them on a daily basis. They need to keep themselves safe and away from the things in life that trigger them to want to use or drink again.

For a mother, it’s even harder. The added stress of being a parent can result in a trigger to start using again. Just bringing their child to a playground can remind them of their earlier days when they bought drugs at the same park. It’s important for moms in recovery to know and practice safe coping skills. To find a balance between being a mom and being a woman in recovery.

Crossroads for Women offers a therapy group called Sober Parenting to expectant and current moms. Maria Moustrouphis, the clinician who runs the group, describes the group as open and friendly, where moms can learn from each other and not worry about being judged. Many women in recovery have not had good parenting role models in their lives. They might not be aware of typical child development, the difference between discipline and punishment or even age-appropriate activities for their child. The Sober Parenting group talks about these topics and more and tailors each group discussion to what the members of the group want to explore.

The group currently meets on Wednesdays from 12:15pm – 2:45pm at Crossroads for Women’s outpatient office in Portland, Maine. For more information or to join this group, call 207.773.9931. View a list of current therapy groups being offered by Crossroads for Women’s Outpatient Program (PDF)

technorati tags: sober, parenting, mothers, addiction, therapy

Outpatient Therapy Group for Professional Women in Recovery

Crossroads for Women has been running an outpatient therapy group for professional women for a few months now. The group, which meets on Wednesday evenings, has been so successful we’ve decided to add another group on Monday evenings. The new Professional Women’s Recovery Group will have a maximum of 10 participants.

Professional women are often at high risk of having their social poise, intelligence and competitive natures actually disguise and complicate the identification and treatment of substance abuse and mental health problems. While these women may appear well-organized, resourceful and highly functioning at their jobs, inwardly, they often know they are not living up to their extremely high personal standards. Many work well beyond a 40 hour week and are often neglectful of their own self-care. Their professional success actually supports their own denial about the possibility of a substance abuse or mental health problem. The good news is that the recovery rate among professionals (90%) is higher than that of the general population (40%-60%).

The Professional Women’s Recovery Group provides professional women recovering from alcohol or drug addiction a confidential setting to discuss issues related to the impact of mental health and addiction issues on their professional lives. The group helps professional women increase their understanding of setting realistic expectations on themselves and how to manage stress in healthy ways. The group meets on Monday evenings from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at Crossroads for Women’s office at 66 Pearl Street, Suite 202 in the Old Port in Portland, Maine.

Slots are still open for this new group. Call 207.773.9931 or email to join or find out more about the group

Crossroads for Women accepts MaineCare, private insurance and self-pay.

FMI: Read more about Crossroads for Women’s Outpatient Therapy Groups (pdf) and Outpatient Services

UPDATE (8/6/09) – The Professional Women’s Recovery Group is now only offered on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm – 7:00pm.

Technorati Tags: professional women, therapy group, outpatient, Crossroads for Women, alcohol, drugs, recovery, addiction, mental health