Bethany Fills Critical Gap in Support for Pregnant and Parenting Mothers Amid Nationwide Surge in Substance Use
July 26, 2021
Grand Rapids, Michigan — Bethany Christian Services is addressing the nationwide surge in substance use and overdose deaths by providing programs specifically tailored to the needs of pregnant and parenting mothers struggling with addiction, filling a critical gap in care.
According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths soared by roughly 30% in 2020, reaching a record high of 93,331. The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare also reported a fourfold increase in opioid use disorders among pregnant women in the past two decades, yet there are few options for expectant and parenting mothers who wish to remain with their children while receiving treatment.
Nearly half of all U.S. states consider drug use during pregnancy child abuse, removing children from the custody of their mothers and placing them in an overburdened foster care system. Currently, just 10 states protect pregnant and parenting mothers who seek treatment.
“Women experiencing addiction often fear losing their children to the foster care system, so many simply don’t get the help they need,” said Cheri Williams, Senior Vice President of Domestic Programs. “With the right support and treatment, many of these women are successfully able to parent their children. No woman should be punished for making the brave decision to seek help.”
Bethany operates several life-saving recovery programs aimed at filling the gap for pregnant and parenting women experiencing addiction, including the Bethany Recovery Center, established in 2021 in Wisconsin. The Bethany Recovery Center provides a trauma informed and trauma responsive approach to treatment. The facility is designed to allow mothers and expectant mothers to stay with their children while receiving treatment.
“Compassionate treatment must go beyond addressing substance use and include healing of past trauma,” said Donna Nicholson, Senior Director of Maternal Health and Clinical Services. “By focusing on a range of positive physical and emotional outcomes for mothers and their children, we can provide treatment that empowers women to move forward with sustainable coping strategies and helps them, and their families, thrive.
To learn more about Bethany’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis and provide hope for women, visit Bethany.org.
About Bethany Bethany is a global nonprofit supporting children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive. Over 75 years ago, we began our work by serving a single child. Today, we work in more than 30 states and in countries worldwide, impacting hundreds-of-thousands of people every year.
