According to this study, mothers who abuse substances are more likely to have impaired parenting and lose custody of their young children.
The abstract describes a pilot study of mother–child relational quality of women in substance abuse treatment. This study observed mothers self perception of how they were parented, their own level of depression, their own modifiable mothering behaviors, and self appraisals of their maternal role.
Twenty-nine mother-child pairs participated. The children ranged in age from 4 weeks to 5 years. Researchers found correlations between mothers who had lower levels of caring from their parents and moderate depression and other relational quality behaviors. Researchers found 11 of the 29 maternal behaviors recorded concerning. Reflections by mothers revealed modest, yet confident self-appraisals of their maternal role.
Researcher concluded women who experienced higher depression demonstrated lower maternal quality. Some maternal behaviors were identified as less optimal although many were strengths.