A new study conducted at Duke University has theorized that children of attentive mothers have a much better chance at fighting off the development of drug addiction, even if they have a genetic history of the disorder in their family.

It’s a theory in its early stages – the study was conducted using rats as participants – but the baby rats in the study who had affectionate and attentive mothers exhibited changes in their genetic activity and were later better able to avoid the temptation of morphine. The key was the increased production of a molecule in the immune system called Interleukin-10.

What is the definition of an attentive mother? In general, it means lots of hands-on touching: kisses, hugs, and physical contact in the early years. Some naturally had more attentive mothers while other mothers were more affectionate when their pups were taken out of the cage for a brief period and returned.

Staci Bilbo is an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke and led the study. She said: “As soon as they’re returned, she checks them out vigorously, grooming the pups and cleaning them.”

Implications of the Study

What does this potentially mean for humans? Though it’s no guarantee that attentive mothering will protect a child from developing an issue with drug addiction – it should be noted that all the rat pups initially preferred the morphine but that most of those who had attentive mothers eventually lost interest in pursuing more morphine – it may encourage mothers to be more affectionate with their kids, especially mothers in recovery. It’s not the first study to support the fact that children need love and attention from their parents for healthy and happy development, but it is one of the first studies to suggest that that early love and support can help children fight off drug addiction later in life.

Mothers in Recovery

Many mothers who go through drug rehab often take parenting classes as a part of their treatment plan. These classes can teach mothers learn the basics about parenting including what their children need to thrive and how they can help their children heal from the issues that may have developed during active addiction.

What do you think? Do you think that how mothers relate to their children can affect their predilection for drug addiction later in life? Or do you think that each child’s reaction to experimental drug abuse will vary according to their personality and other circumstances? Leave us a comment below and tell us what you think.

For many moms, the fight against drug addiction is paralleled by their fight to regain custody of the child or children they lost during active addiction. For Teen Mom star Jenelle Evans, it’s a struggle that she lives in front of the media. She lost custody of her son, Jace, to her mother in full view of the reality TV cameras, but now, she’s in marijuana addiction treatment and working hard to regain her sobriety as well as full custody of her little boy.

Hollywood Life eports that Jenelle says that treatment is helping her to get closer to becoming the mother that her son wants and deserves.

Jenelle told the magazine: “I’m doing everything in the right direction. I’ve learned how to control my anger.”

Recognizing Obstacles to Recovery

Some believe that one of Jenelle’s biggest problems is her choices in companionship. Her ex-boyfriend, Kieffer Delp, has been in and out of jail and some say that their relationship encouraged Jenelle to begin smoking marijuana in the first place and may have contributed to the development of her addiction. The hope is that she’ll make choices in future relationships that prioritize her son and minimize her chances of relapse.

This is a common problem among women in recovery. Boyfriends or partners who abuse drugs are one of the biggest reasons that women ultimately relapse and find themselves again in need of treatment – and in some cases, in front of a judge as well.

Fighting Obstacles to Custody

Women in recovery who are ready to regain custody may find that many in authority positions disagree. It may be necessary to prove to a judge, a case manager, or Child Protective Services (CPS) that you have secured and maintained a job that can support your child, that you have a home that will serve your child and be safe, and that you have adequate child care and transportation that makes sure that they always have access to the care that they need.

In Jenelle’s case, her mother, Barbara Evans, has full custody and reportedly doesn’t feel that her daughter is yet ready to take on the responsibility of full-time parenting.

She told Hollywood Life: “Jenelle continues to struggle with motherhood.”

But she went on to say: “I can never give up on my daughter, and it’s important to me that Jace has a close relationship with his mom.”

In the end, Jenelle’s success in regaining custody of Jace will come when she successfully fights marijuana addiction. Other mothers in the same position will find that their success is no more complicated than that.

If you would like to learn more about the drug rehab options we provide women here at The Orchid, contact us today for more information.

Things aren’t going so well for the former Miss Russia, Anna Malova: she recently found herself back in jail after being dismissed from a rehab for assaulting another patient in the program.

Malova was crowned Miss Russia back in 1998 and later moved to the United States. However, in 2010, Malova was faced 44 charges ranging from theft to forgery and illegal purchase and possession of illicit substances. She pled not guilty to all charges but was arrested again this spring and ultimately ended up incarcerated.

Bad Decisions = Criminal Charges

It seems that the alleged charges may be a result of a long standing issue with drugs and alcohol. Her attempt at a year-long drug and alcohol addiction treatment program were court-mandated and her inability to stay in the program due to an altercation with another patient s well as breaking a few other rules. Her initial 44 charges were pending based on her ability to complete the program. Unfortunately, her expulsion meant that she was not cleared of those charges. When she stands in front of the judge, she could be looking at up to seven years in prison – or she could be offered the chance to go back to rehab.

Second Chances

There are a number of reasons why a court-mandated drug rehab may not end happily for the patient and expulsion is one of them. People get thrown out for bringing drugs into the facility, for relapsing, for leaving the program, and for breaking other rules – like in the case of Miss Russia who reportedly assaulted another patient, read someone’s diary, and stole food from the refrigerator. Other than the assault, some of these rules may seem unimportant but they all help the patient build toward a life structured by respect for rules, respect for others, and a respect for self.

In some cases, the courts may offer second chances and, those who are lucky, will find that the rehabilitation center, too, is open to offering the patient a chance to return to the program. There may be a period where demonstrating commitment is required and certain limitations may be imposed, but if the ultimate result is sobriety – and avoiding incarceration – it’s well worth it.

Would you like to learn more about the recovery program options available at The Orchid? We offer a range of options for women ready to fight against drug and alcohol addiction. Call now for more information.

When it comes to the development of drug addiction and abuse, it’s common knowledge that genetic connections can play a part. If an immediate family member – mother, father, or sibling – struggled with drug and alcohol dependence, it is more likely that another family member will fight the same problem if they opt to experiment with illicit substances.

The issue may be more than just genetic. There is an identifiable cycle of abuse and addiction that occurs among families where drug addiction is rampant. The bad news is that it won’t be broken without effort. The good news is that drug addiction treatment can help.

The Cycle of Drug Abuse and Addiction

Let’s consider the passing of an addiction from generation to generation. A teen who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may be more likely to engage in unprotected sex, and have a child before they are ready. Still struggling with drugs and alcohol, they may be unready to undergo drug addiction treatment and continue to abuse illicit substances as the child grows up.

When addiction is a part of family life, the child is neglected. He or she is exposed to the dangers and ugliness that come with daily life lived in the grips of drug dependence. Trauma can result and many children are witness to – if not victims of – terrible events as a result of a parents’ addiction. Domestic violence, sexual abuse, criminal acts – all of these are common.

As a result, many children of addicts will turn to drugs and alcohol in order to numb the feelings of fear, instability, and sadness that result. Access is easy due to the parents ongoing addiction, and due to the young age of first use and the malleability of the brain during this crucial period of development, the onset of addiction is relatively rapid.

What happens next? The increased chance of unprotected sex, which means another cycle of a young parent with a drug addiction tasked with a raising child….

The cycle can be never ending.

Breaking the Cycle

Breaking the cycle starts when the addicted parent gets the help he or she needs to break free from their own addiction. Once in recovery and beginning the process of building a solid life for themselves, their children will benefit from a better role model, less chance of trauma, and more stability. If this happens early enough, it can lower the chances of the child ultimately developing an addiction as well.

If you are a mother and fighting off a drug and alcohol addiction, contact us at The Orchid today for information about how you can help yourself, your child, and your family to beat drug dependence – now and in the future.

During active drug and alcohol addiction, the focus is on the addict. The risks, the health problems, the violent outbursts, the need to remain high or drunk, the constant search for more money to buy more drugs and alcohol, the mood swings – it’s all about the addict. Few think about those who live with and love the addicted person. Children, spouses, extended family, and siblings are all deeply wounded by the untreated drug dependence of the person they love – emotionally and often physically as well – and while the focus is on getting the addict the help they need to recover, few consider the needs of the family in terms of helping them recover from the experience as well.

How Families are Hurt by Addiction

Addiction is not just the problem of the person physically and psychologically dependent upon an illicit substance. Families, too, are victims of the disorder, for a number of reasons. Many end up experiencing:

• Domestic violence. In domestic violence cases, more than half of all those reported involve drug and alcohol abuse. How many go unreported?
• Emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is even more common as family members are forced to deal with the mood swings of their addicted loved one and rarely given the room to have their own emotional issues related to this and other problems.
• Financial problems. Addiction is expensive, and the damage and problems caused by that addiction can be expensive, too. Few addicts can maintain a job and contribute to the family finances; rather, the addicted family member usually costs the family more money than all other members combined, which puts undue financial pressure and stress on everyone else.
• Social isolation. Embarrassment caused by the addicted family members’ erratic behavior and the need to “cover up” those problems often means that the family is isolated from others – which often serves to increase their sense of dysfunctional addiction as normal and decrease their chances of healing.
• Health problems. Family members of addicts often forego their own mental and physical healthcare in service of dealing with their loved one’s addiction. As a result, many suffer from untreated mental health disorders like depression and chronic ailments that go undiagnosed.

What Families Need to Heal

Family therapy is one of the best ways to address the issues related to an addiction in the family. If the addicted family member refuses to attend or is at an inpatient treatment center, family members can find healing and support through 12-step meetings, personal therapy, and other group therapy options. Learning how to prioritize one’s own health is essential to make sure that, in the event of the relapse of the addicted family member, others in the family remain protected.

Contact us at The Orchid today to learn more about our woman-centered drug rehab program and how we emphasize family healing.