Parenthood re-discovered: Views of recovered parents

Abstract

There is a growing body of research on the effects of parents’ alcohol and substance abuse problems on family members, which examines for example the effects and risks to children. In this article, we approach the theme from the perspective of parents who have recovered from alcohol and substance abuse problems. The research question in this study asks how recovered parents describe their re-discovered parenthood. The study is part of a wider “Growing up in the Finnish Drinking Culture” -project, conducted by the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland. The qualitative data consist of individual, pair and group interviews with parents (N = 32). The parents were diagnosed with alcohol and or substance abuse problems and they all had undergone successful treatment. The data were analysed using subject position analysis, with six subject positions identified in parents’ accounts: Apprentice, Experienced; Emotion worker, Functional parent; Struggler and Optimist. Our study contributes to understanding how parenthood was regained following recovery and what experiences it entailed. It shows that a responsible life with the child and regaining parenthood are possibilities and realistic expectations following recovery.

Keywords:

• Parenthood
• alcohol and substance abuse problems
• children
• recovery

Notes

1. All respondent names in the article have been changed.