The trajectory of recovery among drug-dependent Puerto Rican mothers

Abstract

Much of the literature on drug treatment for women demonstrates a need for gender-oriented, family-centered treatment. Based on observations of a treatment program for Latina women and life histories of female Puerto Rican substance abusers, we expand this argument by describing a trajectory of recovery for female Puerto Rican drug abusers that emphasizes their relationships with children, family, kin and treatment staff. We also identify dilemmas that arise when incorporating these trajectories of recovery into treatment programs. They include (1) the need to balance the interests of mothers with the interests of children; (2) the need to mediate kin and family dynamics that may be counter-productive to recovery, and (3) the importance of establishing treatment contexts that facilitate trust and personal connections without compromising professional distance.

Citation

Black, T. and Hardesty, M. (1999), "The trajectory of recovery among drug-dependent Puerto Rican mothers", Levy, J.A., Stephens, R.C. and McBride, D.C. (Ed.) Emergent Issues in the Field of Drug Abuse (Advances in Medical Sociology, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 193-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1057-6290(00)80010-8