Dangers of Pregnancy and Drug Abuse

It should come as no surprise to anyone that using or abusing drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can put you and your unborn child at risk. Clearly, pregnancy and drug use are a bad combination.

Even legal substances like nicotine have the potential to impact your child’s health negatively. Drinking during pregnancy can place your child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome can cause permanent brain damage and growth issues. Pregnancy and drug use can also cause pre-term labor, congenital disabilities, and cause your child to go through withdrawal after birth. Another risk caused by pregnancy and drug use is that using substances during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage.

If you are struggling with a substance abuse problem and are pregnant, finding treatment quickly is the best way to lower the risk of prenatal complications. Receiving inpatient drug rehab program treatment as early as possible during your pregnancy can significantly decrease the chances that you or your child will suffer from preventable medical risks. Call us at 866.605.0532 for more information about long-term effects of drug use while pregnant.

Pregnancy and Drug Use

Pregnancy and drug use can pose life-threatening risks for you and your child. If you are using drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, your child can be exposed to those harmful substances through the umbilical cord. Drugs and alcohol in your bloodstream can pass the placental membrane to the umbilical cord and enter your child’s bloodstream.

Using drugs during pregnancy can also result in your child becoming addicted to the substance while in the womb. This means your newborn child will experience painful withdrawal symptoms after birth.

Pregnancy and drug use can also cause:

• Premature labor and pre-term delivery
• Congenital disabilities, including cognitive impairments
• Low birth weight
• Growth restrictions
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Increased risks of a miscarriage or stillbirth
• Higher risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Increased risk of mental health problems such as ADHD

The dangers are quite clear, as evidenced by the numbers. Nearly half of all pregnant women take prescription or non-prescription drugs. As many as 10% of expecting mothers use illegal drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, the risks associated with drug use during pregnancy are substantially higher if you use regularly or throughout the entire pregnancy.

No expecting mother wishes to harm her child. However, addiction can be challenging to overcome, even when you aren’t pregnant. Fortunately, effective treatment can help you prevent the dire consequences listed above. All it takes is the commitment to seeking help.

Treatment Options 

Substance abuse treatment is available even if you are currently pregnant. The type of treatment varies depending on your needs but connecting with an inpatient treatment provider may be the best option because it ensures that you have regular access to medical professionals. Detoxing from substances like opiates or alcohol while pregnant can put you and your child at an increased risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, like seizures or dehydration.

An inpatient treatment program can also help monitor your vitals and diet to make sure that you and your child are receiving proper nutrition. Outpatient programs can be especially helpful following inpatient treatment and help you find additional support following discharge.

Finding Help as Soon as Possible

Pregnancy and drug use can put you and your child at risk for serious medical problems and complications. You don’t want that. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about drug use while pregnant. Finding professional help as soon as possible is the best way to ensure that you and your child remain healthy and safe during your pregnancy.

Beaches Recovery offers individualized and expert treatment to help you overcome addiction. Call us today at 866.605.0532 to find out more about how our programs can help you recover.