Alcoholism in stay-at-home moms is a problem that can develop quietly over time and worsen if a person doesn't get help.
Alcoholism in Stay-at-Home Moms
Stay-at-home moms are in a challenging position. This is a "dream job" for many women, but it often comes with a price. Women who have a propensity for addiction or who don't know how to cope with stress can end up in a bad situation. They might drink alcohol or do drugs to deal with the stress and loneliness that comes with this lifestyle. Usually alcoholism is a secondary problem for health and emotional issues that are not being addressed, such as depression or anxiety.
Some of the other things that contribute to the problem of alcoholism in stay-at-home moms include:
- Divorce
- Job changes for a spouse
- Weight gain
- Total lack of free time
- Fluctuations in hormones
- Performance anxiety about raising children
- Social withdrawal
- Feeling out of control
- Exhaustion or lack of sleep
- Lack of appreciation
Reaching Out
A stay-at-home mom who is an alcoholic needs physician-supervised treatment to deal with the withdrawal symptoms and get on the road to sobriety. She'll also need the help of extended family, parents and friends to care for her children while she's in treatment. Her health will affect her children for the rest of their lives, so taking time to help herself is worth it.
After going through a treatment program, staying sober is the next goal. Here are some things that help.
Start a Blog About Recovery
Starting a blog can be therapeutic for the recovering alcoholic if she feels comfortable sharing with others. The power of intent in getting over addiction is something that can't be ignored, and blogging is a great way to state her intent on a daily basis and feel more connected to it. It is also a reminder of her goal to remain sober. Here are some examples of blogs others have created.
Get Over the Hump
Alcohol and drug addicts who desire to get better no matter what will find a way to get over the hump. It helps a mom to have a bigger reason to recover, such as imagining how her children will benefit or the opportunities that will result from recovery. She will need to have a frank discussion with her physician about her dependency on alcohol so the treatment process can begin in earnest. Alcohol withdrawal can be very difficult and even life-threatening when some of the stronger symptoms kick in. It's important to have proper medical supervision in case medication is needed to help her through the worst of the withdrawal process.
Food for the Soul
Being a stay-at-home parent can be really difficult. The children need their mother, but life can become quite isolated beyond that. A stay-at-home mom can break out of this pattern by beginning to participate more in life. It's okay to use daycare at times to preserve her sanity, and hiring a babysitter now and then while she works on her recovery can also help relieve some of the pressure. Here are some ideas:
- Have coffee once a week or once a month with a friend.
- Volunteer at a place that has a worthy cause, and get the kids involved if possible.
- Get a workout buddy. Meet a friend early in the morning for a stress-reducing walk or meet at the gym a few days a week.
Do Things Differently
Once the alcoholic is in recovery, it's really difficult to stay that way if she keeps doing things the same way. Since things weren't working the first time around, she should try to change her routine. Perhaps this means creating a routine or taking more control of her life. She can do this by reading books about goal setting, as well as inspirational subjects and memoirs. There is a wealth of information out there. Books to check out include:
Help Is Available
While no parent is perfect, the more a stay-at-home mom who struggles with alcoholism can help herself and be a better person, the more her children will benefit. If you know someone who is in this position, persuade her to seek help from her physician immediately.
