I recently was assigned to do a piece of service-journalism work for Momlogic- a brief resource guide for moms who may have a problem with drugs and alcohol. I have decided to post this here as well. If anyone has any specific questions or concerns, please email me confidentially at jenginsberg1@gmail.com.

ALCOHOLISM AND ADDICTION: A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR MOMS

This guide has been prepared for moms who think they may have a problem with alcohol or addiction, or have someone in their life that they think might have a problem.

Alcoholism and drug addiction doesn’t discriminate – it affects men, women, teens, adults, and people of all races and backgrounds. Women, and particularly mothers, are especially vulnerable to the psychological effects of substance abuse as they often feel immense shame about the impact of their drinking or using on their families.

The number of moms abusing drugs and alcohol has steadily risen in the past decade. Between balancing all the responsibilities associated with motherhood, women are under tremendous stress and pressure. Women tend to develop addictions more easily and are more prone to depression than their male counterparts.

 Do You (or does someone you love) Have A Problem? Answer these short, “yes” – “no” questions to see if you might need help.

	1.	Do you use alcohol or other drugs to build self confidence?
Yes  No
	2.	Do you ever drink or get high immediately after you have a problem at home, school or work?
Yes  No
	3.	Have you ever missed work or school due to alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	4.	Does it bother you if someone says that you use too much alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	5.	Have you started hanging out with a heavy drinking or drug using crowd?
Yes  No
	6.	Are alcohol and other drugs affecting your reputation?
Yes  No
	7.	Do you feel guilty or bummed out after using alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	8.	Do you feel more at ease on a date or social event when drinking or using other drugs?
Yes  No
	9.	Have you gotten into trouble at home, work, or school for using alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	10.	Do you borrow money or “do without” other things to buy alcohol and other drugs?
Yes  No
	11.	Do you feel a sense of power when you use alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	12.	Have you lost friends since you started using alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	13.	Do your friends use less alcohol or other drugs than you do?
Yes  No
	14.	Do you drink or use other drugs until your supply is all gone?
Yes  No
	15.	Do you ever wake up and wonder what happened the night before?
Yes  No
	16.	Have you ever been arrested or hospitalized due to alcohol or use of illicit drugs?
Yes  No
	17.	Do you “turn off” or avoid studies or lectures about alcohol or illicit drug use?
Yes  No
	18.	Have you ever tried to quit or to cut back using alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No
	19.	Has there ever been someone in your family with a drinking or other drug problem?
Yes  No
	20.	Could you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs?
Yes  No

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs.

                                                                             Where To Get Help

Many people who are struggling with substance abuse find support in 12-step support groups, which provide immediate solutions and comfort to those who believe they may have a problem. These groups are non-sectarian, apolitical, available in every community, and there are no dues and fees to attend. The following websites are available to provide you with more specific information and can help you locate a group in your area. 

• For those who have are concerned about a friend or family member that may have a problem: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
• For those who believe they may have a problem with alcohol: http://www.aa.org
• For those who believe they may have a problem with drugs: http://www.na.org/
• For those who believe they may have a problem with marijuana: http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at 5:44 am and is filed under 1. Angst Mom Essays, 4. Alcoholism and Addiction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.