Straight from the Heart

An intimate video portrait of six mothers from different backgrounds in various stages of recovery from substance abuse. Their circle of stories – affectionate, open and moving – are combined with documentary footage to create a persuasive and inspiring visual tool. Straight from the Heart is ideal for showing to those who work in prenatal, postpartum and even early childhood settings. It offers professionals in practice and in training important insights to the realities of maternal addiction and the process of recovery. Though originally produced in 1991, the amazing women and their stories portrayed in this program remain relevant to todays healthcare challenges. This is a truly compelling program and well worth seeing. Topics include:

• Personal histories of women with substance abuse problems
• What it’s like to hit bottom
• Ambivalence about treatment overcoming denial
• The impact of substance abuse on children
• How to ask for help
• Treatment options – the rewards of getting and staying clean
• Relapse prevention

This program was produced in partnership with the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).