P081. Parenting in recovery: The experiences of Family Treatment Court participants

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

An estimated 60-80% of child maltreatment or neglect cases involve parents with substance use disorders (SUD). The Family Treatment Court (FTC) offers a non-adversarial approach that provides evidence-based treatment programs to parents with SUD. Primary outcome measures usually include reunification with children and reduced substance use. How parents engage the recovery process and (re)build relationships with their children is not well understood. This study's objective was to center parents' voices on recovery, how they see their role as a parent, and what they want to teach their children. We conducted interviews with 22 current and former FTC clients from six jurisdictions in the Southeast US. Parents were asked to discuss what recovery means to them, how they defined being a good parent pre- and post-program participation, and the interplay between recovery and parenting. Themes included the personal transformation from addiction to recovery, parental presence and emotional availability; communication and relationship building, teaching life skills and values; and the continuous learning and growth that recovery and good parenting require. Recommendations for strengthening the connections between recovery and parenting will be discussed.

Authors

• Wendy P Guastaferro, Florida Atlantic University

• Danielle Rivers, Georgia State University

• Arshya Gurbani, Georgia State University

• Rachel Carr, Georgia State University

• Delaney Chopp, Florida Atlantic University

• Daniel J. Whitaker, Georgia State University