Applying research-based approaches to establish a substance abuse prevention program for lower income rural mothers

We observed that the conditions of school drop out, early pregnancy, unstable social support, socioeconomic distress, and heavy drinking community norms were impacting a number of lower-income young Vermont mothers. We believed these factors played a role in the presence of progressive risky substance use behavior identified in this group. We developed and implemented a community-based indicated-level prevention program to address the alcohol and other drug (AOD) use behaviors of these mothers. The program, called Rocking Horse (RH) combines AOD health education and life skills building to interrupt advancing alcohol and other drug jeopardy in this population. The program processes center on supportive approaches to enhance self-worth and offers opportunities for alternative choices. The Stages of Change Model frames the dedicated group sessions and recognizes that participants are at differing readiness stages for behavioral change. During the past eight years the program has served 700 mothers and conducted 176 group replications. The program is evaluated with a pre and post test and 60 day interval post test. The findings suggest a consistent and significant increase in the risks of substance use and a decrease in binge drinking. The time-series data suggest the harm imprint remains and binge drinking has not rebounded. The program uses evidence-based substance abuse prevention strategies, has a theoretical center-post to support the approaches, and maintains an ongoing evaluation.