The day one learns that a new life will be coming into the world should be met with nothing but happiness and joy. When an individual is using and unable to stop, however, this news can also come with a great deal of concern and apprehension.
Substance abuse and addiction combined with pregnancy brings an array of special concerns and complications.
In some cases, the mother cannot fully detox from substances without causing damage to her unborn child. This is often the case with Opioids. In these cases, the mother may be prescribed an Opioid medication, such as Methadone or Buprenorphine to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
Other substances can cause significant problems that must be addressed during pregnancy. All drugs are thought to increase the potential of developing birth defects and other long-term consequences.
For a woman who is pregnant, there is never a better time to get help with your drug or Alcohol abuse problem. Getting the proper medical and psychological treatment means the difference between life and death for you and your baby.
Don’t wait until the situation becomes tragic. Get help today. Below is compilation of treatment centers that accept or focus on the specific needs of pregnant women.
Dangers and Risks of Abusing Substances during Pregnancy
Many factors play into the risks associated with consuming drugs or alcohol while pregnant. These include the specific drug(s) being abused, how often the substance is used, and at what point in the pregnancy the substance was introduced.
In general, risks to the unborn fetus from substance abuse include:
- Placental abruption.
- Miscarriage.
- Premature birth.
- Stillbirth.
- Developmental defects.
- Low birth weight.
- Small head size.
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Postnatal withdrawal syndrome.
Long-Term Consequences
A 10-year study conducted through the University of California illustrates a high correlation between the use of drugs in a mother while a child is in utero and the outbreak of severe behavior problems later in the child’s life. The study points to a saddening but not surprising issue: the long-term consequences of drug use by pregnant women.
No matter how it’s ingested—whether by drinking, smoking, snorting, swallowing, or injecting—any substance consumed during pregnancy could pass to your baby. Many substances pass easily through the placenta and the umbilical cord, which means that if you are smoking marijuana, your baby essentially is too. Recent research shows that using illegal drugs, taking prescription pain relievers, and smoking tobacco or marijuana while you are pregnant can double or even triple the risk of stillbirth.
What Are the Addiction Treatment Options for Pregnant Woman?
Addiction can be a complex disease, requiring professional help and treatment to help attain, and sustain, complete sobriety. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that between 2012 and 2013, approximately 9.4 percent of pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 44 were classified as current alcohol drinkers and 5.4 percent used illicit drugs. No amount of drug or alcohol abuse is considered to be safe during pregnancy. A specialized addiction treatment program can help pregnant women to safely stop using drugs and/or alcohol while supporting them in recovery and attending to their medical needs.
Examples of addiction treatment services offered to pregnant women include:
