Without moms, where would we be? If it wasn’t for the sacrifice of generations of women giving birth and providing care, none of us would be here today. Although judgment comes easily to many people, it’s important to empathize with moms who are facing drug addiction. Addiction can happen to anyone, and being a mom is a difficult job.
If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, there is help. As a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mom, or mother of older children, you can find support. However, keep in mind that detox treatments are slightly different for pregnant and breastfeeding women compared to moms who are beyond those stages. Regardless of your stage, there are plenty of options available to support your healing. At First Steps Recovery, we take great care to understand and offer solutions to moms so that they can reinvigorate themselves.
Navigating the Great Balancing Act of Motherhood
Acknowledging your needs while tending to the needs of others takes great practice and balance. Parenthood, particularly mothering, is viewed through culturally and socially acceptable lenses. This makes it hard to truly embrace, lean into, and explore the immensity of parenthood.
When using substances, there are potential birth defects and health complications such as preeclampsia and preterm labor. As well, addictive substances can cause long-term physical and mental health challenges for both mom and baby. As addictive substances negatively affect a woman’s nutritional status, it is best to seek detox and recovery support before your child is born.
However, in some cases, this just might not be possible. We understand, and our team at First Steps is here to offer the care that you and your child deserve. If you are already a mom with children, detox treatment can help you heal and improve the life of your loved ones.
Recovering From Drug Addiction: Identifying Your Needs and Prioritizing Yourself
Despite social conditioning, it is nearly impossible, and even harmful, for someone to care for others without tending to themselves. Self-sacrifice comes with a great price, often making it hard to show up for anyone.
To avoid burnout, sickness, or injury due to over-giving, it is vital to develop a deeper respect and care for yourself. When you honor yourself more fully, it becomes easier to identify and meet your needs. Rather than becoming engulfed with stress, frustration, sadness, or anything in between, you must learn how to communicate and actively tend to your needs. This makes it easier to show up as your best self.
It’s hard to be your best when you haven’t eaten a proper meal, slept a total of eight hours, or showered in several days. Often, this is a reality for mothers and caregivers alike. However, as much as caring is part of your work, there is another vital part of this equation. That is in the ability for you to bring the love and authenticity that makes your care special.
Recovering From Drug Addiction: Understanding Your Basic Needs
Knowing your basic needs is the first step to tending to them effectively. The most well-known psychological theory on human needs can be accredited to Abraham Maslow. However, his theory dates back to the early 1940s, potentially leaving room for improvement.
According to the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, this general list of basic needs includes:
- Physiological needs such as breathing, intimacy, food, water, and sleep
- Basic security such as physical safety, financial stability, health, and familial or interrelational well-being
- Belonging, which is met through loving and harmonious relationships
- Esteem, which is met with confidence, giving and receiving respect, and achievement
- Self-actualization, which can be achieved through creativity, morality, problem-solving, and acceptance
These basic needs color your world, affecting the ways that you connect with yourself and others. You set the tone for the care and support that you receive. For that reason, it is important to learn whether or not you feel your needs are met. If you are struggling with meeting these needs, there are solutions to help you support yourself more effectively.
Recovering From Drug Addiction: Meeting Your Basic Needs, Improving Your Health
There are many ways to guarantee that your needs are met each day. Just as you ensure that your children and loved ones are taken care of, prioritizing your joy, peace, and aspirations is vital. Oftentimes, you can incorporate simple, holistic practices to build a more supportive routine. Knowing and honoring yourself is a great way to begin identifying what truly fulfills you.
You can meet your basic needs in some of the following ways:
- By seeking individual therapy and mentorship, which offers unbiased guidance and understanding to help you get in touch with yourself better
- By establishing a meaningful routine that incorporates your self-care and personal goals as well as other important responsibilities such as work, school, and family care
- By advocating for yourself by speaking up and setting boundaries as needed
- By having a strong and loving support system that also values you and your needs
Detox and Recovery Promotes Self-Care
Detox and recovery, therapy, and self-care practices can also help you show up for your family with greater love and joy. First Steps Recovery offers this. From there, you can try to identify and incorporate more of the things that nourish you. As you maintain your well-being, it will be easier to consistently offer your genuine care without being overwhelmed with stress and hardships.
Motherhood is life-changing. With so much time, energy, and resources being focused on your little ones, it can be hard to meet their needs while consistently meeting your own. Rest assured that struggling to meet nearly impossible standards is no fault of your own. Mothers are tasked with caring for everyone, often to the detriment of themselves. However, this doesn’t have to be your situation anymore. You can put your needs first, including your need for health and sobriety.
Motherhood comes with a great demand to nurture and care for others. However, the greatest gift you can share with anyone else is to be happy and whole. Prioritizing your needs makes it possible to offer genuine and loving care without burning yourself out or getting consumed by your role. First Steps Recovery is committed to helping you overcome addiction, no matter where you are on your path. With compassionate support along each step of the way, our team is here to guide and connect you with the right resources for your healing. Call us today at (844) 489-0836 to schedule a consultation with one of our team members. Together, we will take the steps toward lasting recovery.
