Drug Misuse and Motherhood

This book combines accounts from drug using mothers and practitioners responsible for their care offering many insights into the nature of women's dependence on drugs and the impact this has on mothering.

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The growing use of illicit drugs among women has become a major concern for health professionals and social services. The reluctance of drug-using women to seek help from drug agencies and to disclose their use of drugs to ante-natal, midwifery and social services is now officially recognised by government agencies. However, devising an appropriate strategy that will overcome these fears will not be easy without a better understanding of their causes and effects.

Drug Misuse and Motherhood gives drug-using mothers a voice. Based on longitudinal research and in-depth interviews it provides new insights and much-needed information in five key areas:

* family life
* pregnancy
* motherhood
* service delivery and development
* implications for policy.

The user-perspective of this book is balanced by the professional viewpoint on the same issues. It offers a unique source of data for researchers and fresh inspiration for practitioners working in the field.