Did you know that “heroin and pregnant women addiction” were among the most searched substance abuse-related questions on the Internet?
When it comes to women’s healthcare and safety, pregnant women addiction is one of the overlooked issues. Pregnant women battling alcohol and drug addiction are especially vulnerable. Besides pregnancy can amplify the stigma of drug abuse, therefore, preventing pregnant women from seeking help.
Drug abuse during pregnancy is not only harmful to the mother but also to the unborn baby. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDE), substance abuse while pregnant can lead to miscarriage, low birth weights, premature birth, infant withdrawal syndrome, stillbirth, birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and so on.
Addiction is a complex disease and requires professional help to attain sobriety. No amount of alcohol or drug abuse is considered safe during pregnancy. Pregnant women battling addiction must be greeted with support, not stigmatization.
Pregnant Women Addiction to Drugs
What makes pregnant women predisposed to drug abuse are mood swings. During the nine long months of pregnancy, women oscillate between unadulterated joy, being overwhelmed, and utter despair.
Pregnant Women Addiction to DrugsPregnancy is a roller-coaster that not only affects your body’s structure, but also your mental health. Of course, not every woman expecting will experience rapid mood swings. However, the majority of them do.
When your body is going through so much, it can be tempting to use drugs. This results in a significant percentage of pregnant women addiction. In fact, in 2013, the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) reported that 4.4 percent of women between the ages of 15-44 who sought treatment for drug abuse, happened to be expecting.
Even though the percentage of women seeking treatment for drug abuse fell from 46.6 percent to 34.8 percent between 2000 and 2010, the number of pregnant women in treatment for drug abuse increased from 51.1 percent to 63.8 percent around the same time. These statistics only prove that pregnant women are predisposed to alcohol and drug addiction. Therefore, proper steps should be taken to prevent any harm.
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Substances that lead to Pregnant Women Addiction
Studies and research shows that pregnant women addiction to prescription medicine is a real thing. Additionally, there are many other substances that pregnant women get addicted to, ranging from tobacco to heroin. Here are some substances that pregnant women must avoid getting addicted to all costs:
- Alcohol
- Hypnotics
- Tobacco
- Marijuana or Cannabis
- Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine
- MDMA, Ecstasy, Molly
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and
- Heroin
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How Addiction can affect the Baby in the Womb?
Addiction can affect the mother and the baby in the womb in a number of ways. After the development of a fetus, oxygen and vital nutrients are filtered from the mother to the baby through the placenta. The placenta is a layer of blood vessels and body tissue that forms the lining of the uterus. The umbilical cord and the placenta act like a lifeline for the growing fetus.
If a pregnant woman is abusing substances, the substances can pass through the placenta and affect the growing baby in the womb. Besides, these substances can cause harm to the placenta itself. This can interrupt the exchange of nutrients, elimination of toxic waste, and have a detrimental effect on the fetus’ development.
As we mentioned earlier, substance abuse at the time of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, premature labor, placenta abruption (the separation of the placenta from the uterus), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), etc.
It must be noted that the complications caused by substance abuse do not end after childbirth. NAS or Neonatal abstinence syndrome is common in babies. This occurs when an infant is born addicted to drugs, and opioids. Within 24 to 72 hours of birth, newborn infants can experience withdrawal syndrome, as their nervous system and brain adjust to the absence of drugs and chemicals.
As newborn infants grow older, the ones exposed to drugs since birth can have developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and learning problems. There is also a higher risk of premature death associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other factors. Quitting substance abuse during the onset of pregnancy can guarantee a smooth childbirth process, where the mother and the unborn child are healthy and free of developmental problems.
How to Overcome Addiction?
Overcoming addiction is never easy, but it isn’t impossible either. There are specialized prevention programs for pregnant women addiction. The support options available to pregnant women battling addiction come in a broad range. These include:
- Obstetric and pediatric care
- Detox and residential drug or alcohol treatment
- Regular therapy
- Proper parenting education, including classes in prenatal care, labor, breastfeeding, and delivery techniques
- Peer support groups
- A recovery program with a licensed recovery coach
- Medication-assisted treatment that would reduce the temptation and craving for certain drugs, especially heroin and opiates
- Vocational training
Seeking help for addiction can be of assistance to both the mother and the unborn child. In addition to preventing any birth defects, SIDS, and miscarriage, a rehab or prevention program can help restore the pregnant mother’s physical and psychological health.
Depending on the severity of the addiction, a detox program may be recommended. During a comprehensive detox program, the body is cleansed of all substances and toxins. However, detox is something that you should never attempt on your own. It can lead to many complications.
Apart from these, pregnant women battling addiction need psychosocial support. They also need access to affordable parental services, occupational counseling, and so on. Family members of pregnant women battling addiction should be compassionate and encouraging.
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