Find Local Treatment Options
Call 888-646-0635 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.Who Answers?

Pregnancy and Rehab

It is an unfortunate fact that a large number of pregnant women abuse drugs or alcohol during their pregnancy. Although there are different reasons for this the outcome is generally the same. That is why there are rehab centers that cater specifically to pregnant women and their offspring.

Why Drug Abuse and Pregnancy

Drug abuse and pregnancy are a dangerous combination. A woman’s body undergoes drastic changes while she is pregnant, these changes sometimes cause other illnesses such as:

  • pregnancy depression,
  • expression of underlying mental disorders,
  • high stress due to unwanted pregnancy, and
  • many other hormone related issues.

These issues can sometimes cause a woman to decide to start to drink, continue to drink, or use drugs while she is pregnant. This is unfortunately harmful to both mother and child.

What Happens when the Mother Abuses Drugs or Alcohol During Pregnancy?

Depending on the drug, there are a variety of ways that the body responds to drugs and alcohol during pregnancy. Not many of these ways are positive. A few things that can happen while someone is pregnant and using drugs are:

  • fetal alcohol syndrome,
  • low birth weight,
  • premature birth,
  • placental abruption,
  • loss of motor development,
  • cognitive impairment, and
  • childhood drug addiction.

All of these are consequences that happen when a person uses drugs while pregnant.

Needs of Pregnant Women During Rehab

A pregnant woman's needs vary while in rehab.

A pregnant woman’s needs vary while in rehab.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, pregnant women have specific needs while they are in rehab. For the most part the drugs that doctors ordinarily give to patients for help with withdrawal symptoms do not work with pregnant women. They affect the baby too much. Many of these drugs are too harsh for a prenatal environment.

Although there are some things that might help with a pregnant woman’s withdrawal symptoms, the majority of the symptoms are untreatable. Most rehabs try to keep the pregnant woman as comfortable as possible until she delivers. They then deal with any physical issues in the both mother and the baby after the baby is born.

Each case is different. The way that a rehab will treat a pregnant woman depends on:

  • what she is taking,
  • how far along in the pregnancy she is,
  • how much she takes on a regular basis,
  • what her support structure is,
  • what her plans are for after the baby is born, and
  • who likely the baby is affected by the drugs she’s taken.

There are many rehabs specifically outfitted for treating drug addiction in pregnant women. They have specialized facilities to help with any complications of pregnancy. Most women who are pregnant and in rehab have either made the decision to keep the child or to give it up for adoption.

If you are pregnant and are on drugs, or if someone you know is, there is help available. Call us at 888-646-0635Who Answers?.We can help you with the tough decisions that you have in front of you.

More Rehab Centers Resources

How Local Detox Centers Can Get You On the Right Path

detox from drugs

Detox is often the first part of a long-term, effective treatment program for individuals who become addicted to drugs. While it isn’t always necessary (and it certainly isn’t the only component to addiction treatment by far), detox is used at the beginning of many rehab programs for a reason. In addition, patients who attend detox….

Continue reading

Drug Rehab and Pregnancy: Helping You Prepare for the Future

Being pregnant is always a little scary, but when you’re addicted to drugs and alcohol and pregnant, it can feel overwhelming. You don’t want to hurt the baby, but there’s so much conflicting information out   there, it can be hard to know what to do. With some states now passing laws that allow prosecution of….

Continue reading

How Do I Create a Good Relationship With My Counselor?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Within a treatment program, successful clinicians [should] establish a positive, therapeutic relationship with their patients,” which can help individuals stay in treatment for longer periods of time and achieve better recovery outcomes. A counselor can foster the kind of positive relationship that many individuals require in rehab,….

Continue reading

What Happens in Anxiety Rehab Centers?

rehab for mental health

There are many types of anxiety disorders, and all of them can be debilitating in their own ways. When a person has been struggling with anxiety for a long time, or if his or her anxiety makes it difficult to perform daily tasks, anxiety rehab should be considered. Types of Anxiety Disorders The NIMH lists….

Continue reading

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Effects and the Need for Treatment

Traumatic experiences trigger protective responses throughout the body, causing a surge of chemicals to flood the brain. Depending on a person’s physiological make-up, these effects can have a lasting impression on his or her mental and emotional well-being. Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD develops out of these conditions. According to the University of Colorado at….

Continue reading

Should I Attend a Long-term or Short-term Rehab Program?

Choosing an addiction treatment program can be a difficult process, especially when there are so many different types of centers and programs available. Because time spent in treatment is usually very important to most recovering addicts, you may be wondering if you should attend a long-term or short-term rehab program. It is important to assess….

Continue reading

Will an Intervention Help my Teen into Drug Rehab?

Parents well know how the physical changes characteristic of the teenage years affect their teens from day to day. For many teens, making this transition from childhood to adulthood can feel like walking a tightrope with no safety net in tow. Today’s teenagers contend with issues and pressures unlike any faced by previous generations. Unfortunately,….

Continue reading

Understanding the Intake Process in Drug Rehab

You should understand the intake process in drug rehab!

When it comes to finding drug rehab there’s definitely not much question about the availability of programs that are readily available to assist patients. What there is a major question about tends to the the intake process and what a patient can expect when they first enter drug rehab. Every program is different and more….

Continue reading

Still can't find the help you are looking for?Get Started Now
Accepted Insurances / View the full list
For inquiries call 888-646-0635 Who Answers?

Accepted Insurances Does My Insurance
Cover This?

Calls to the general helpline will be answered by a paid advertiser. By calling the helpline you agree to our terms of use.

I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOWI NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW888-646-0635
Who Answers?

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares