In recent years, the population of stay at home mothers or housewives has been increasing their drug and alcohol abuse at an alarming rate. There are many explanations for this fairly new trend, however, it is still troublesome. Some of the reasons researchers have pointed out as the primary causes of drug addiction in this population are stress, loneliness, and postpartum depression. For many women, the choice to raise a family has caused them to leave their careers and put their hopes and dreams on the back-burner. This quick switch in roles from career woman to housewife often leaves women feeling lonely and depressed. Endless nights without adequate sleep, constant pressure, weight gain, and fluctuations in hormones, lack of any free time, performance anxiety, and frequent cases of postpartum depression often leave women seeking a way to self-medicate. There is a direct correlation that shows that postpartum depression leads to drug and alcohol abuse as a way of coping. If a woman has already struggled with depression, mental illness, or drug addiction in the past, these problems can be amplified due to the stress of new motherhood. Statistics show that housewives and mothers are more likely to abuse alcohol, benzodiazepines, and various prescription pills rather than illegal drugs. If you feel as though depression or the general stress of motherhood is causing you to consume drugs or alcohol as a way of coping, Passages can help.
