A mother's reflections of living with an adolescent drug abuser: A case report. (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Groenewald, Candice
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 23:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 667
• Page End: 669
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Parents -- phenomenology -- lived experience; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2018.1459902
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Mothers of adolescents with substance abuse problems experience significant distress as a result of the adolescent's behaviours. Methods: Using an interpretative phenomenological methodology, this paper describes the lived experience of a mother coping with an adolescent who has a drug use problem in the form of a case report. Results: The mother experienced a range of psychosocial challenges in trying to cope with her son's behaviour and her own emotional distress. This included a desperate cry for help in the form of an attempt at suicide which ultimately led her to obtain the support she required to attend to her distress. Conclusion: The findings are discussed in relation to the literature with the intention to draw attention to the importance of coping support for mothers affected by adolescent substance abuse.