| Summary: | <p> Mothering in a variety of healthcare settings is a significant process studied by nurse researchers. Mothering during recovery from a drug addiction is important to study because of its health and mental health consequences for women, their infants and children, as well as the impact on society especially the financial burden. The process of recovery from drug addiction for mothers has not been well studied. Findings from such a study can shed light on the important nursing role regarding interventions and prevention strategies to mitigate some of the health consequences. The purpose of this study was to explore the process of mothering for women recovering from a drug addiction. The conceptual framework of symbolic interaction and the Grounded Theory Methodology (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) were used to guide the study.</p><p> Data were collected through 10 semi-structured interviews of women residing in a rehabilitation residential facility for drug addiction who had at least one child under the age of 18. The results indicated that the process of mothering while in recovering from a drug addiction was non-linear. Phases emerged from data collected using the constant comparative analysis of transcripts, levels of coding, categorizing and conceptualizing. Three final phases emerged from the subcategories, which explained the process: <i>mothering as influencing sobriety, anticipatory struggling and hopeful ideal mothering. Anticipatory Struggling</i> identified the final substantive theory that emerged. The women in this study were committed to changing to claim or reclaim the role of motherhood. The participants were aware of the challenges and overwhelming responsibilities that were ahead as they recovered and they anticipated the struggles, fearing relapse or again losing custody of their children. However, they were hopeful about their future mothering role, albeit in an idealized way, as they began to make their re-entry into the community. The study's findings have important implications for nursing practice, education and for influencing health policy.</p>
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