Sheway is well-known in Canada for its success in providing wrap-around services for pregnant and newly parenting women who are dealing with complex personal and social circumstances. It is trauma-informed, women-centred, culturally responsive and uses a harm reduction approach with a focus on connection with self and others. Women and their children can remain in the program up to 18 months post-partum. Last December, Lenora Marcellus, University of Victoria, and Sheway published findings to their study on how women make the transition from Sheway to living on their own – Supporting Families at Sheway and Beyond. Additionally, Dr. Marcellus has published a journal article:

Marcellus, L. (2017). A grounded theory of mothering in the early years for women recovering from substance use. Journal of Family Nursing. E-print ahead of press. 

In order to learn what elements of a positive transition could be identified and built upon, they followed 18 women for 3 years after leaving Sheway. These women faced multiple obstacles in this transition process with the overarching theme being “holding it together.” Their daily efforts are explored in these 3 ways:

Restoring Self: gaining recovery and taking care of self, reconnecting with self and others, and rebuilding trust and credibility.

Centering Family: parenting their children, preserving a routine, dealing with partners, and handling custody issues.

Creating  Home: “chasing housing”, having to take whatever housing is available even if inadequate, and maintaining not only a physical space but a feeling of home for the family

While acknowledging the value for pregnancy and postpartum support as most often provided in maternity programs, their findings underscore that secure housing is a key component to a successful transition for women and their families. Yet, although housing is important to the overall health of women and their families, the choices they must make often result in a double bind. For example, women often are faced with choosing between affordable housing that is far from supports versus more expensive housing that is near supports. Some women must choose between staying in an unsafe relationship or losing housing. As well, some women must accept inadequate housing because of their substance use history, which serves to undermine their recovery and their maintaining custody of their children.

“Poor housing was identified by women as a potential trigger to relapse in their recovery.” – [1] p. 39

Complete findings are detailed within the report and recommendations are framed within the Levels of Prevention model developed by this prevention network.  Among the research team recommendations is to extend the time women can stay in the program in order to solidify recovery, supports and resources. As well, they stress that housing needs to be a core component of intensive, integrated maternity programs.

For more on these topics, see earlier posts:

HOLISTIC AND SPECIALIZED SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: LEVEL 3 PREVENTION, November 21, 2016
THE MOTHER-CHILD STUDY: EVALUATING TREATMENTS FOR SUBSTANCE-USING WOMEN, MARCH 18, 2015
SUPPORTING PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN WHO USE SUBSTANCES: WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE DOING TO HELP, OCTOBER 1, 2012
HERWAY HOME ‘ONE-STOP ACCESS’ PROGRAM IN VICTORIA SET TO OPEN, MAY 20, 2012
“NEW CHOICES” FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN WITH ADDICTIONS, JANUARY 9, 2012
TORONTO CENTRE FOR SUBSTANCE USE IN PREGNANCY (T-CUP), DECEMBER 19, 2011
CLINICAL WEBCAST ON BREAKING THE CYCLE PROGRAM: SEPTEMBER 20, 2011, AUGUST 2, 2011

1. Marcellus, L., Supporting families at Sheway and beyond: Self, recovery, family home. 2016, Sheway: Vancouver, BC.

Retrieved from: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/2380007/posts/1564840235

Promoting Healthy Relationships and Supportive Environments

Overview

Understanding Addiction is an online learning program that seeks to equip non-specialist workers and volunteers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to confidently help people who face challenges with substance use and addiction. The goal of this course is to ensure that anyone in a “helping role” will be able to foster healthy relationships and build supportive environments.

Participants will engage in eight interactive online lessons that feature opportunities for personal reflection, downloadable resources, and a facilitated forum. They will learn about topics such as: the factors behind addiction and control, the dynamics involved in helping people change their behaviour, and what to do in difficult situations. Participants will also have opportunities to practice skills that enhance client engagement while promoting safety.

This program has been developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC) in partnership with BC Non-Profit Housing Association, BC Government and Service Employees’ Union, Centre for Addictions Research BC (University of Victoria), 7th Floor Media (Simon Fraser University) and Walden Media Group. CMHA BC exists to promote the mental health of British Columbians and support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

Course Registration

Understanding Addiction is available twice throughout the year and the cost per person is $100. To sign up for the course, please follow these three steps:

1. Register for the training until September 30, 2017

• August 1 – November 30, 2017

2. Create an account

Once your payment has been processed, you will be re-directed to create an account.  Create a unique username and password to sign in.

*Please note: Your account will only be activated once your payment is received and the course begins.

3. Login and begin the course

The Course Facilitator will grant you access to the course once your cohort becomes available. On the first day of the learning cohort you registered for, you will be able to log into the course and start the first lesson. You will have a four-month period from the first day of the learning cohort to complete it.

For more information please visit: https://www.understandingaddiction.ca

Alcohol consumption during preconception and pregnancy is generally considered to be the prospective mother’s responsibility, with many current international alcohol policy guidelines recommending the reduction or non-use of alcohol by pregnant women. However, research suggests that decisions about alcohol use can often be influenced by others, in particular the prospective father.

The National Drug Research Institute did research on the father’s involvement in alcohol exposed pregnancies. This study was initiated due to factors such as; the Australian Alcohol Guidelines, and ‘mothers guilt’. Interestingly, over the past decade the guidelines have changed the recommendations for women’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy from 2 standard drinks per day to no consumption being the safest option. The responsibility has been solely pressed on women and have not focused heavily enough on the social determinants that support the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.

The findings of the research identified that 75% of women who do drink during pregnancy are consuming alcohol together with a partner. Of these women, 40% of drinking episodes are initiated by male partners. The fact that male partners are social facilitators of alcohol consumption nearly half the time is concerning.

The key message this research is trying to convey is that decisions about alcohol use during preconception and pregnancy are not the sole responsibility of women but occur within the context of the home and the broader social environment. More complex policy is required to assist in reducing alcohol-exposed pregnancies and increasing the potential for healthy pregnancies, and fetal and infant outcomes.

Retrieved from: http://actonalcohol.org.au/fathers-and-alcohol/