Addiction is a serious and complex condition that affects millions of people in the United States. Left untreated, addiction can lead to serious medical and mental conditions and may get people into serious legal or financial trouble.
Certain circumstances make treatment more challenging and may require a special level of care. Pregnant women who live with addiction often need additional services and more personalized treatment options when seeking substance abuse treatment.
Addiction treatment can give people the skills and support they need to overcome addiction and live a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. This is especially important for pregnant women.
Understanding the risks of substance use during pregnancy and the treatment available for pregnant women can help you make the best choices about your care.
There are many things pregnant women can do to have the best chance of having a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. These include getting regular medical care during pregnancy, eating well, balancing rest and activity, and avoiding harmful substances.
During pregnancy, drugs and alcohol that the pregnant woman ingests are passed to the developing fetus. In some cases, repeated or prolonged exposure to drugs or alcohol can result in serious, sometimes lifelong developmental or physical complications.
For a pregnant woman, the risks of substance abuse can be serious or life-threatening. Alcohol and some drugs post an increased risk of physical dependence, heart, brain, and liver damage, certain cancers, and worsening mental health symptoms.[1]
For a developing fetus, prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol may result in birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, or stillbirth. Some substances, including marijuana and alcohol, have been shown to increase the risk of memory and behavioral problems later in life. Exposure to these and other substances can lead to changes in the brain that linger well into childhood and adolescence.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a serious, lifelong birth defect caused by repeated prenatal alcohol exposure. Babies born with FAS experience a range of physical and behavioral problems.[2] The only proven way to prevent FAS is to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.
When it comes to getting addiction treatment, pregnant women often face barriers that keep them from getting the care they need. These include:[3]
Addiction recovery for pregnant women needs to provide treatment for addiction and resources to help manage the practical and emotional difficulties of pregnancy and parenting a newborn
Addiction treatment is offered in a variety of settings and in several levels of care, depending on a person’s needs. Generally, addiction treatment happens in stages. These are:
Detox: People are monitored and treated for uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms. This allows them to have a safe, complete detox.
Treatment: After completing detox, people move on to a personalized treatment program that uses a combination of evidence-based and holistic therapies to help them overcome addiction. These include:
The length of time a person spends in treatment depends on the length and severity of their addiction, their treatment history, and other personal factors.
Aftercare: People must continue to engage in recovery after completing a treatment program to avoid relapse.
Specialized drug and alcohol recovery programs for pregnant women offer treatment for addiction and other supportive services. Pregnant women living with addiction may require help finding housing, employment, health insurance, or medical care.
If you live with addiction and are pregnant, getting treatment is the best way to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Don’t wait another day for the treatment you need. Get the help you need and deserve today.
Michael Herbert, The Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.
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