Treatment for Adopted Women
Adoption can be a positive, life-changing experience for many children and families, but it can also bring its own set of challenges. Women who were adopted are at an increased risk for substance use and mental health disorders.
Adoption, Substance Abuse, and Mental Illness
Studies have shown that adopted women may be at increased risk for substance abuse and mental health disorders. One study found that adopted women were three times more likely to be hospitalized for substance abuse than non-adopted women.
The adopted women who come to Rising Roads often suffer from a range of emotional and psychological issues related to their adoption, including:
Identity crises: An adopted woman may struggle with questions about her biological family and cultural identity, which impact her sense of self and overall well-being.
Attachment difficulties: Adoption can disrupt the natural attachment process between a child and their primary caregiver. This can lead to attachment issues in childhood and beyond.
Trauma: Women may have experienced trauma before or during adoption, such as abuse, neglect, or separation from their birth families.
Loss and grief: Adoption involves a significant loss for all parties involved, including the birth family, adoptive family, and child. Clients may struggle with feelings of grief or loss related to their adoption.
Isolation: Women adopted into families with biological children may feel alienated or less than their siblings. They often feel isolated from their peers who have “normal” families.
Treating Clients Who Were Adopted
Rising Roads Recovery offers specialized treatment for women adopted in childhood, tailored to their unique needs and experiences. The treatment approach for this population may include:
Attachment-based therapy: Adoption difficulties often trace back to attachment issues. This type of therapy teaches women to build healthy relationships and address the fundamental wound created by their adoption.
Identity exploration: We provide support and resources for each adopted woman to explore her identity and connect with her cultural heritage.
Trauma-focused therapy: Unaddressed trauma is often associated with adoption. Trauma-focused treatment helps women to confront their past, process it, and lay the groundwork for a future of mental wellness.
Family therapy: Family therapy helps families navigate the challenges of adoption, improve communication, and form stronger relationships.
Community support: The community of women at Rising Roads is strong and interconnected. Women heal together in our residences, group therapy sessions, recreational activities, and mealtimes. Because we specialize in treating adopted women, our clients feel understood and recover in a supportive environment of shared experiences.
Treatment Designed for Adopted Women
We understand that adoption can be a complex, sensitive issue, and we are committed to providing compassionate and individualized care to women who were adopted. Our team of mental health professionals has extensive experience and provides the proven therapeutic interventions and emotional tools needed to achieve lasting recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with negative effects of adoption, including substance abuse or mental health disorders, contact us to learn more about our services.
