For many women, motherhood is the motivation they need to finally get sober. One day, they’re just being young, having fun, maybe a bit too much fun, then they find out they’re pregnant and decide to deal seriously with their substance use. Having a baby can be a wakeup call, but it doesn’t make sobriety easy. In fact, being a new mother is incredibly stressful and it can make even the most determined woman crave even a momentary escape. If you are a new mother in recovery, here are some tips for staying sober.
Use your network.
It’s very hard for anyone to take care of a baby alone and it’s even harder for someone who is relatively new in recovery. The biggest risk is the stress from the constant attention a baby demands. Not only is this stress considerable, but it leaves very little time for sleep. Lack of sleep contributes to feelings of depression, anxiety, and irritability, as well as diminishing focus and memory, making everything else even harder. What’s more, it slows physical recovery after the stress of giving birth. On top of the constant care a baby requires, some mothers may have to get back to work very soon to support the family. There are not enough hours in the day for a mother, especially a single mother, to do everything she needs to do. One way to deal with this situation is to enlist as much help as possible. Many women are reluctant to ask for help. This is especially true of women in recovery, who may already feel guilty or insecure as a parent. Don’t be afraid to ask reliable people for help. Keep in mind that although someone may not want to help you, she might want to help your child. Even if you haven’t quite patched things up with your parents, it’s a good bet they would be happy to spend some quality time with their grandchild while you’re working or sleeping. Keep in mind your network isn’t only for your baby. It’s important to build a strong sober network to protect yourself from relapse. Having people you can confide in and rely on relieves stress and gives you strength. Having more friends you can rely on reduces stress because you know you have more resources to rely on in times of trouble.
Take care of yourself.
With so much to do, it’s easy to say there’s no time to take care of yourself. However, it’s crucial to make time, even if it’s only a few minutes a day. This means finding a way to get enough healthy food to eat, getting as much sleep as you can, getting a bit of exercise, and even finding a bit of time to relax. This isn’t mere indulgence. Constantly working and taking care of your child is not sustainable. If you want to keep going, you have to find a way to do the basic things you need to stay physically and mentally healthy.
Stick to a recovery plan.
Along with making time for self-care, make sure you stick to your recovery plan. Your recovery plan and self-care may overlap to some extent. Whether you worked out a plan during inpatient treatment or made a plan with the help of your doctor or therapist, it’s crucial to keep doing the things that keep you sober. This may include regular appointments with your therapist, daily writing, praying, or meditation, or even taking medication for addiction or another mental health issue. Skipping these things may seem like an easy way to find a few extra minutes in your day, but before long, you are likely to end up in old habits, jeopardizing yourself and your baby.
Make use of services.
Don’t be too proud to use any service you’re eligible for. There are many federal, state, and local programs designed to help new mothers. Some programs are even specifically designed to help new mothers recovering from addiction. Don’t be afraid to ask for whatever help you can get, whether it’s financial assistance, daycare, or healthcare. Remember, it’s not just for you. Search for services in your area. This is especially important if you don’t yet have much of a social network to rely on.
Set a good example.
Although recovering from addiction while caring for a new baby is incredibly stressful and new moms have extra risk factors that others don’t have, they also have a major incentive to stay sober. Whether you stay sober or relapse doesn’t only affect you; it affects your child too. One of the best predictors of whether a child will struggle with addiction later in life is whether one of its parents struggled with addiction. About half of this risk is genetic, but the rest is learned behavior. When children see their parents drinking excessively or using drugs, they assume that behavior is normal. They are more likely to experiment with drugs at a younger age because they have easy access. This significantly increases risk of later addiction as well as possibly delaying cognitive development and lowering IQ. Children of parents with addictions are also more likely to suffer adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, feeling unsafe, or witnessing violence. The more of these experiences children have, the more likely they will eventually develop substance use issue. On the other hand, staying sober, keeping a regular schedule, and creating a safe and healthy social environment can offer significant protection from addiction, even with a genetic predisposition. Keeping this in mind can be powerful motivation when recovery feels difficult.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental illness, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
