treatment for a recovering addict who is pregnant

Examples of addiction treatment services offered to pregnant women include:

• Detox services
• Obstetric and pediatric care
• Pharmacological tools
• Therapy and counseling
• Parenting education and vocational training
• Support groups
• Transitional services
• Relapse prevention and aftercare programs

Full Answer

What are the treatment options for addiction during pregnancy?

Comprehensive addiction treatment for pregnant women may include the following: 1 Medical detox, if needed. 2 A specialized treatment plan designed by professionals from various specialties. 3 Pregnancy education and counseling. 4 Parenting education. 5 Individual, group, and family therapy. 6 ... (more items)

Can I get pregnant while in addiction recovery?

As mentioned above, the biggest concern about addiction recovery and pregnancy is the threat of relapse, which could be very terrible, even fatal, for the unborn baby. When it comes to this the truth is that if there was ever any time that you needed to get your support network around you, it is now and it is now in a big way.

Is there drug rehab for pregnant women?

Help is available for pregnant women who struggle with substance abuse. More rehabilitation programs have begun to incorporate services for women who are pregnant. However, only about a quarter of rehab programs nationwide offer resources for pregnant women.

Can I get substance abuse treatment while pregnant?

Oftentimes, substance abuse treatment services are mandated by the criminal justice system when women are known to be abusing drugs while pregnant. Women should be encouraged to seek addiction treatment to better themselves and to promote a healthy pregnancy.

What happens to a child when the mother does drugs while pregnant?

A mother taking illegal drugs during pregnancy increases her risk for anemia, blood and heart infections, skin infections, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. She also is at greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Almost every drug passes from the mother's bloodstream through the placenta to the fetus.

What happens if you do hard drugs while pregnant?

Studies show when a pregnant woman uses illegal drugs during pregnancy it can result in miscarriage, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruption, seizures, respiratory problems, feeding difficulties, and death of the baby and the mother.

What are the four steps involved in recovery from addiction?

The four stages of treatment are:Treatment initiation.Early abstinence.Maintaining abstinence.Advanced recovery.

What techniques are used to treat addiction?

Some of the most common forms of modern addiction treatment include behavioral therapies delivered as individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.

What happens if you test positive for drugs while pregnant?

In utero exposure to drugs puts the fetus at risk of premature delivery, physical, and cognitive developmental problems, and can increase the risk of neonatal mortality (Chasnoff, 1988; Chasnoff et al., 1992; Stover and Davis, 2015).

What are the symptoms of a drug baby?

Babies born to substance-abusing mothers may have short- or long-term effects. Short-term withdrawal symptoms may consist only of mild fussiness. More severe symptoms may include acting irritable or jittery, feeding problems, and diarrhea. Symptoms vary depending on which substances were used.

What are the 3 P's of recovery?

3 “P's” for Recovery: Passion, Power and Purpose.

What are the five phases of addiction?

Stages of AddictionFirst Use. The first step to addiction is trying the substance. ... Regular Use. As people become regular users, they begin to display a pattern. ... Risky Use. As use deepens, people may begin to exhibit dangerous behavior, such as driving while drunk or high. ... Dependence. ... Substance Use Disorder.

What is the third stage of addiction?

Stage 3: High-Risk Use The line between regular use and high-risk use is a very thin one but usually can be defined as the continued use of drugs or alcohol in spite of severe social or legal consequences.

What is the most effective treatment for addiction?

According to American Addiction Centers, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a valuable treatment tool because it can be used for many different types of addiction including, but not limited to, food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction.

What are three options for drug abuse treatment?

There are many options that have been successful in treating drug addiction, including:behavioral counseling.medication.medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms or deliver skills training.evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.More items...•

What is the first step in treating a drug abuse problem?

Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. This involves clearing a substance from the body and limiting withdrawal reactions. In 80 percent of cases, a treatment clinic will use medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

How can pregnant women mitigate their risks?

Pregnant women can mitigate these risks through positive lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, prenatal supplements, and adequate rest. However, even with these preventative measures in place, complications are still a risk. Enter substance abuse treatment programs for mothers-to-be.

Is addiction a health risk for pregnant women?

The health risks of addiction are many. For pregnant women, the risks are multiplied and also impact the baby, as well. Factor in the likelihood of co-occurring mental health issues, including everything from depression to eating disorders, and the threats to mom and baby rise.

Is pregnancy a dangerous time?

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting and special time in a woman’s life; however, it can also be a frightening, overwhelming and dangerous time, particularly for addicts . Addiction can strike anyone at any time, and pregnant women are not exempt.

What are the concerns of women after drug addiction?

One concern many women have after they have suffered from drug addiction and alcohol addiction is whether or not they will have struggles or problems with their addiction recovery and pregnancy . This is a valid concern to a degree, but some take it too far. Some worry that their bodies are not well outfitted for a pregnancy, ...

How long does a baby stay in an alcoholic's body?

Some worry that their bodies are not well outfitted for a pregnancy, and others feel as though the baby will in some way be damaged by spending its first nine months in the body of an ex-drug addict or alcoholic. These claims and concerns are pretty insubstantial, but that does not mean that other concerns are not valid.

Is having a baby a good thing?

Having a baby and starting a new family is a beautiful thing and no one, recovered addict or not, should be denied the pleasures of doing that which is one of the most human things to do. Some say that addiction stays with us always.

Is it normal to have different appetites while pregnant?

Once you become pregnant, you may notice some differences in appetite and food preferences, and this is totally normal and fine. While these may be unavoidable to greater or lesser degrees, you can handle it all better if you have been sticking to a healthy diet and not going off to something else.

Is it bad to relapse while pregnant?

Experiencing a relapse though in addiction recovery and pregnancy would make the situation much, much worse indeed. When one is addicted to drugs and alcohol, one really is in a bad place. When one beats addiction, to a degree one is still in a bad place.

What is residential treatment for pregnant women?

Residential treatment centers that offer programs for pregnant women will have prenatal care that is specifically designed to handle the added issues that substance abuse creates during pregnancy.

What is residential treatment?

A residential treatment facility typically is designed to provide round-the-clock care of patients. When a person first checks in, their condition is assessed and a treatment plan is established. Treatment will address all aspects of the person’s condition and will function with their needs and wants in mind.

Can you abuse while pregnant?

Substance abuse while pregnant carries many risks for both mother and child, and they often need to be addressed during the treatment process to avoid any further damage. Unfortunately, addiction rates among pregnant women have increased over the last few years.

What are some ways to help pregnant women with substance use disorders?

Therapeutic approaches that have been shown to be effective in treating pregnant women with substances use disorders include contingency management, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy. 2.

What is the importance of pregnancy?

Pregnancy can be a wondrous time of life—a time when women become more focused on their own health to support the health of their unborn baby. They may start to become more conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies and how that may affect the child they’re carrying. However, if the mother is addicted to drugs or alcohol, ...

What are the risks of consuming alcohol while pregnant?

In general, risks to the unborn fetus from substance abuse include: 1,2. Placental abruption.

How many pregnant women use illegal drugs?

9% of pregnant women used illegal drugs. 5% drank alcohol. 9% smoked cigarettes. That amounts to over 380,000 infants exposed to illicit substances, over 550,000 exposed to alcohol, and over 1 million exposed to tobacco in the womb. 2.

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps women gain insight into the situations that lead them to use substances; break old patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving; and replace those habits with new ones. 2. For women seeking help, there is often a fear of judgment.

Can alcohol cause postnatal withdrawal syndrome?

Postnatal withdrawal syndrome. Further, some babies born to mothers who have abused alcohol or certain drugs may develop additional health issues, such as: 3,4,5. Heart defects: Drinking alcohol and taking certain drugs during pregnancy can result in heart defects, particularly septal defects (a hole in the heart).

Is AAC free for pregnant women?

AAC is in network with many insurance companies and treatment can be free depending on your policy.

When are women at the highest risk for substance abuse?

Women are generally at the highest risk for developing a substance use disorder during their reproductive years (18–44) , especially ages 18–29.2 It is therefore not surprising that there are quite a few cases of addiction disorders among pregnant women.

Can a pregnant woman quit drug addiction?

It is highly recommended that pregnant women who want to quit their addiction seek professional help. In certain cases, trying to break the addiction without medical help may cause serious distress for the baby. 3 This is why drug treatment programs for pregnant women are carefully designed to cater to their particular needs.

Is methadone safe for pregnant women?

It is important that this process is medically supervised in order to mitigate withdrawal symptoms that can harm the baby. In cases of opioid addiction, methadone and buprenorphine have been shown to be safe and effective in drug treatment programs for pregnant women. 8

Getting Treatment

If a pregnant woman is addicted to drugs or alcohol, she shouldn't quit cold turkey. It may be a natural, knee-jerk reaction, but it could be dangerous for her baby. The sudden withdrawal could cause in-utero seizures or result in miscarriage [source: Goodnough ].

Staying Healthy

Group meetings allow fellow patients to shoulder each other's burdens -- and share each other's triumphs.

What are the symptoms of drug withdrawal in a pregnant woman?

Drug rehab for pregnant women can help prevent the following symptoms of withdrawal when your baby is born: 3. Blotchy skin. Diarrhea.

What are the risks of being in rehab for pregnant women?

Anxiety and depression. Irritability and agitation. Delirium. Seizures. In rehab for pregnant women, physicians assess each individual mother to determine the best course of treatment for her and her baby. They can help manage potential risks and complications, such as seizures and delirium.

Why is detoxing from alcohol important?

For pregnant women, detox is a critical period because your baby is detoxing, too. During detox, your body eliminates the drugs and alcohol that it is physically dependent on.

What do doctors do for detox?

Doctors and nurses monitor the detox process and safely manage withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the substance being eliminated from the body and severity of the patient’s dependence, doctors may prescribe medication to relieve withdrawal symptoms and ease cravings for the drug.

What happens if you smoke while pregnant?

If you smoke, drink, or abuse drugs during pregnancy, dangerous chemicals can pass on to the fetus as well. If you have become pregnant while addicted to drugs or alcohol, ...

What is the purpose of rehab?

Rehabilitation, or rehab, can be used to help a person recover from addictions, injuries, and even physical or mental illnesses. However, drug rehab programs are usually the most common types of rehab. People addicted to drugs often need the additional care and assistance that drug rehab provides. Read More.

What is the correlation between drug use in a mother and a child in utero?

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. Read More

Can pregnant women get help with addiction?

The good news is that there are options for women who are pregnant who need help with their addiction. When a pregnant woman asks for addiction treatment, rehab facilities must consider the health of the unborn child. Therefore, her case will be given priority because two lives are at stake. However, although the treatment program options for pregnant and addicted women exist, it is not always that simple.

Can a drug addict give birth to a baby?

The great news is that there are countless numbers of women who became pregnant while they were drug addicts and alcoholics and entered a drug treatment program and gave birth to perfectly healthy babies. The most important fact for a pregnant addict or alcoholic is that they seek out help for their addictions. The stigma about addiction and alcoholism may be twofold when a woman is pregnant, but the overall stigma about addiction, in general, has dramatically decreased. The opioid epidemic is horrific, but it has helped normalize addiction and recovery.

Why do you need to be on track with your nutrition before getting pregnant?

They provide substances to build and maintain healthy organs and fight off infection. [1] No matter what your drug of choice was, you’ll need to be sure you are on track with your nutrition before becoming pregnant. If you went to a treatment center that focused on nutritional counseling, you may be a step ahead.

Is pregnancy a stressful time?

Pregnancy is a time of wonder, but it can also be a stressful time. Your emotions and hormones will likely take a roller coaster ride. Once the baby is born, some women struggle with their emotions. You want to take intentional steps to avoid drug cravings during times of stress. When you were a participant in substance abuse, you likely used drugs as a way to handle stress. Know that stress will likely be a trigger for you.

Withdrawal Management

Extended Prenatal Care

• Treatment programs, whether they are inpatient or outpatient, are designed to address all of the patient’s needs as they recover. Residential treatment centers that offer programs for pregnant womenwill have prenatal care that is specifically designed to handle the added issues that substance abuse creates during pregnancy. As the amount of pregnan...

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Postnatal Withdrawal & Treatment