To better understand what parents in recovery need from a parenting support program, researchers at the University of North Carolina interviewed 19 parents who are, or are partnered with, someone in alcohol use recovery. Interviewees were mostly female (n=13) and most often identified as Black (n=13). When asked about the relevance of traditional parenting-in-recovery programs, interviewees identified several traditional components that would be helpful, including learning how to create routines and manage conflict. However, they also desired more practical supports than are often included, like strategies on effective caregiving with a partner and navigating work-recovery-life balance. Participants also sought a wraparound model that included their partners and children and was linked with other services. Desires for program design varied, with some preferring in-home services and some desiring a more clinical setting, however a shared theme of cultural competence and non-judgement threaded through the interviewees’ responses.
