Attachment

"Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space" (Ainsworth, 1973; Bowlby 1969)

Specifically, attachment theory looks at the trust that develops between an infant and child and the primary caregiver as the basis for a child's emotional and social development.

When a child experiences trauma in the form of physical and emotional neglect, and/or physical and/or sexual abuse, a disruption in secure attachment occurs. As a result, an insecure attachment pattern occurs that results in unhealthy thoughts and perceptions of the self and others, and an inability to regulate emotions in a healthy way. These, in turn, result in self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse and other addictions, and insecure attachment and relationship problems as adults. The cycle continues with maladaptive parenting as adults based on their own mistreatment as children.

This is a simplified explanation of a complex problem. An extensive amount of research has been produced on the attachment theory and childhood trauma. (See my Resources section)

When a woman enters a recovery program after recently giving birth, she frequently is separated from her baby. Her baby is temporarily placed with family members or foster caregivers. This is a result of having tested positive for drugs at the time of delivery. The baby may be placed with the mother later because she has agreed to enter a treatment program. Other women in recovery have also lost custody of a child or children and are attempting to regain custody by entering a treatment program. Often, women have other older children already out of their care either temporarily or permanently. A disruption of attachment is evident when a child is caught in the revolving door of foster care, different family members, interspersed with visits with the mother. It is confusing, chaotic, and results in childhood trauma. This results in the cycle of substance abuse and  maladaptive parenting continuing. 

However, if the mother can stay in recovery, learn parenting techniques, get help with understanding and coping with her own trauma and addiction, there is hope for her and her children. But if she leaves treatment prematurely, and does not have custody of her children, there is a good chance she will become pregnant again and then return to treatment hoping this time the results will be different. 

If women can obtain an effective contraceptive while in treatment, as a essential part of also obtaining needed health care services, she has a chance to have a different outcome and be successful as a mother to her existing children.