Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Pregnant Women and Mothers Near Me

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Rehab & Treatment Programs for Pregnant Women & Mothers Near You

The rate of SUD, or substance abuse disorder, in pregnant mothers and women has quadrupled from the year 1999 to the year 2014. On average, there were 6.5 pregnant mothers diagnosed with SUD per one thousand deliveries in hospital in 2014 compared to only 1.5 in 1999. However, there are also estimates that suggest that there could be as much as 5% of all pregnant mothers struggling with substance abuse.1, 2

Substance abuse disorder can cause numerous problems with women carrying a child. The most serious and common one includes NAS, or neonatal abstinence syndrome, causing babies to experience withdrawal symptoms immediately after birth. Numerous research focuses on exploring effects on heroin on newborn babies, but different substances also have the capacity to cause severe issues. This is what makes drug and alcohol treatment and rehab for pregnant women essential.2

However, locating a suitable drug rehab and treatment for pregnant mothers near your location can be very challenging seeing how numerous facilities don’t accept pre-detox pregnant women. Luckily, there are solutions that allow pregnant women to seek help with their substance abuse disorder and achieve a positive outcome. Here’s important information on specialized drug treatment programs for women:3, 4

There are currently 19 states that offer drug rehab programs designed for pregnant mothers.
There are 13 states who prioritize pregnant women during acceptance into state-funded programs for drug treatment.
There are 4 states with clear laws that prohibit any discrimination against pregnant women looking for SUD treatment.

What Risks Does Substance Abuse Pose During Pregnancy?

Unfortunately, the combination of pregnancy and drug addiction leads to numerous long-term adverse health issues for infants with some of them being potentially fatal. Apart from neonatal abstinence syndrome, engaging in substance abuse during pregnancy can cause:2

SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome
Decreased or insufficient weight at birth.
Small head circumference.
Premature birth.
Numerous birth defects.

FASD, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a very common occurrence with mothers who resorted to heavy drinking while pregnant. The severe consequences of FASD include mental retardation, various birth defects, and spontaneous abortion, among others. In the United States, six to nine children out of one thousand suffer from a form of FASD. However, the number of infants correctly diagnosed with this issue ranges from 0.2 to 1.5 for one thousand newborns.5, 6

Stillbirths are much more frequent with pregnant women struggling with drug addiction than in pregnant mothers without a form of SUD. Some of the statistics regarding different types of substance abuse disorders and how they affect pregnancy are:2

Prescription drugs for pain relief and stimulants increase the risk of stillbirth by 2.2 times.
Marijuana use increases stillbirth risk by 2.3 times.
Tobacco use increases stillbirth risk by 1.8 to 2.8 times, and the risk only gets greater with heavier smoking. What’s more, passive tobacco exposure increases the risk by 2.2 times.

What Withdrawal Symptoms Are Common When Abusing Substances During Pregnancy?

Heroin addiction is the leading cause behind the most severe pregnancy problems. However, there are also different substances that, if abused during pregnancy, can lead to a form of NAS, such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol, as well as caffeine. The seriousness, the type, and frequency of substance abuse is what determines the type and the severity of the neonatal abstinence syndrome.2

Additionally, NAS symptoms can either appear immediately after birth or after as many as 14 days following birth. Some of the most frequent symptoms are:2

High-pitched and excessive crying.
Heightened heart rate.
Slow gain of weight.
Rapid breathing.
High irritability.
Frequent seizures.
High fever.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Blotchy skin.

How Does Drug Addiction Affect Breastfeeding?

Generally, it’s important for pregnant mothers to avoid using any illicit drugs, most prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco when pregnant and during the breastfeeding period.2

There still isn’t sufficient scientific evidence to explain in detail what negative effects consumption of marijuana can have on newborns and breastfeeding babies. However, there’s information to support the thesis that an amount of THC does find its way into breast milk. Infants who receive THC through breast milk can have altered brain development and poor motor development. On the other hand, alcohol can disrupt the sleeping cycle for the infant.2

It’s also necessary to take certain precautions when taking prescription medication during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. Anti-anxiety medication and antidepressants can cause harm to nursing babies, making it important for mothers to refrain from abusing any type of prescription medication. Otherwise, they open the door to certain unwanted effects:2

Appetite loss.
Lethargy and sleepiness.
Rashes.
Crying.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.

What Are the Details About Detox Programs for Pregnant Women?

The first portion of any successful drug addiction recovery is detox. This process allows pregnant mothers struggling with drug addiction to go through numerous potential withdrawal symptoms safely and attain sobriety. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:7

Seizures.
Bleeding.
Pain in the pelvic area.
Hallucinations.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting

The form of detoxification depends solely on the form of substance abuse disorder. However, the majority of detox programs include a form of supervised withdrawal with use of special medication. This is a type of MAT, or medication-assisted treatment that uses different medication to assist the withdrawal process. The amount and type of medication administered depends on the duration of substance abuse and the amount of drugs taken.7

However, not even detox alongside MAT can prevent NAS immediately after birth in certain cases. Babies whose pregnant mothers used suboxone during MAT can experience a shorter period of withdrawal in comparison with pregnant women who used different or absolutely no medication during detox. Safely withdrawing from opioids during pregnancy ensures the health of your newborn baby.7

Can Detoxification Cause Complications During Pregnancy?

Medical detox during pregnancy that transpires in a controlled and safe environment is advised, as it can be very dangerous to attempt cold turkey detox. However, you have to keep certain aspects in mind:7

Detox might not be the recommended option for pregnant women in their last trimester, as there’s a possibility of premature labor.
Detox can also be a danger for pregnant mothers suffering from heroin addiction during their first trimester, increasing odds of a miscarriage.

What Is Drug Rehab for Pregnant Women Like?

It’s important to ensure you enter a high-quality treatment and rehab program for pregnant women. Also, it’s vital to make sure your facility of choice is culturally appropriate and easily accessible. The center should also offer support programs for partners and family members.8

That being said, the vast majority of drug rehab centers specializing in pregnant women treatment offer:8

Reproductive and contraceptive counseling which includes education on the adverse effects of illicit drugs on fetal health.
Treatment planning and case management for prenatal drug exposure issues, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other types of FASD.
Specialized treatment programs for women who find themselves in difficult life situations, for example domestic abuse cases.
Comprehensive assessment, screening, and evaluation regarding any potential co-occurring mental health problems.
Comprehensive prenatal care tailored to the unique needs of pregnant women suffering from heroin addiction or who abuse other substances.
Evaluation of cases involving children exposed to illicit substances.
Family-centered treatment and therapy which includes parenting classes, counseling, and pregnancy education.
OAT, or opioid agonist therapy that’s a vital part of all treatment programs for heroin abuse.
Specialized treatment for couples that allows the presence of the partner, including drug and alcohol rehab for LGBTQ couples.

However, if the drug testing shows that the substance abuse disorder is too severe, it might be necessary to enter a 24/7 inpatient facility with constant care, a residential drug rehab center for pregnant mothers, a long-term 90-day drug treatment program, or a specialized outpatient treatment facility that treats different types of addiction.8

How Can Pregnant Women Choose the Most Suitable Rehab Program?

It’s vital to consider various aspects when choosing the most suitable rehab program suitable for pregnant mothers, such as:9

The ability of the center to completely protect its residents from discimination and stigmatization. Pregnant women struggling with substance abuse addiction frequently face stigma and discrimination, which is why it’s vital to choose a facility that places safeguards to prevent the appearance of such issues.
Capability to offer comprehensive and adequate care at the hand of licensed and qualified professionals.
Respect toward the autonomy of the patient and provide the necessary information. The treatment facility has to be able to provide correct information and advice on the existing danger of continuing with substance abuse as well as the full array of available treatment options.
Evidence-based treatment solutions. It’s important to undergo treatment that offers a proven track record when dealing with identical or similar issues with substance abuse.
Prevention prioritization. Finally, it’s important to enroll in a drug rehab program designed to cater to the needs of pregnant women and mothers that not only emphasizes recovery, but also prevention of relapses and repeat addictions.

However, it’s important to state that these are only recommendations for best-case scenarios when it comes to finding a suitable drug treatment facility for pregnant mothers near your location and not state-proscribed regulations that all centers have to abide by.9

How Can I Finance an Addiction Treatment Program for Pregnant Women?

One of the most common reasons while the majority of individuals battling substance abuse disorder don’t seek treatment is their financial inability to settle the rehab-associated costs. However, while it can be difficult to finance drug addiction treatment for pregnant women, it’s important to know it’s possible.10

Owing to MHPAEA, or the Mental Health Plan Parity and Addiction Equity Act, every provider of healthcare insurance has to offer benefits for treating substance abuse addictions and perceive them as any other medical or hospital emergency. That’s why your insurance provider offers at least partial rehab coverage. This refers to both private companies that provide health insurance as well as state-funded providers like Medicaid.11

What’s more, there are also other options when it comes to financing your treatment even if you don’t have any amount of insurance coverage. First of all, there are state-funded facilities that offer free treatment solutions as well as centers that provide you with the option of paying for your treatment in installments.11, 12

How Can I Locate the Best Treatment Facility for Pregnant Women and Mothers Near Me?

When you’re looking for a specialized facility that offers tailored rehab programs for pregnant women and mothers, it’s important to first contact one of the available substance abuse helplines that operate in your area. They’re a great first stop when it comes to finding a nearby rehab facility that suits your needs. Also, a hotline can also provide assistance in cases where you’re looking to provide assistance to a loved one struggling with drug abuse by connecting you with an experienced medical team capable of helping you stage an intervention.12

What’s more, speaking to a helpline representative will allow you to find both a short-term facility for inpatient rehab and a treatment center for medical detox more easily. There are also many centers that offer same-day treatment admittance for pregnant mothers, but you need to check with them just to make sure. Also, you can reach out to your healthcare provider and inquire about any suitable rehab options near your location.12

Finally, why not contact one of the leading nationwide providers of drug treatment for pregnant women and mothers established to ease your admission into a rehab program – American Addiction Centers. Besides offering ample guidance through your rehab, their team will help you verify the extent of your healthcare insurance coverage and find one of their centers within your provider’s network, such as a Christian drug rehab and treatment facility, short-term 3, 5, and 7-day treatment programs, as well as 30-day substance abuse rehabilitation programs.

Also, American Addiction Centers can provide invaluable assistance when attempting to locate suitable drug and alcohol treatment facilities for veterans, as well as long-term 60-day rehab programs that suit your requirements, spiritual treatment and rehab solutions, and non-religious programs for drug rehab. What’s more, AAC is there to help you find low-cost options for rehabilitation and treatment of your drug addiction.

AAC can also connect you with a rehab facility specializing in helping pregnant women and mothers overcome substance abuse addiction in a manner tailored to your specific requirements. Overcoming addiction during pregnancy is extremely challenging, making it paramount to find a licensed team of professionals to help you through it, and that’s exactly what American Addiction Centers do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Addiction Rehab Effective for Pregnant Mothers?

Yes, drug addiction rehab for pregnant mothers can be an effective way for them to attain sobriety and significantly reduce the odds of their unborn baby becoming prone to some form of health defect, including SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder), and NAS (neonatal abstinence syndrome).13

Comparing pregnant women who decided to undergo treatment for heroin and other substance abuse to those who didn’t, medication-assisted detox and rehab have helped:13

Reduce the chances of the baby developing NAS.
Reduce the severity of NAS if it does appear.
Reduce the duration of post-birth treatment.
Increase birth weight, gestational age, and head circumference.

How Long Is Detox for Pregnant Women?

The duration of medical detox for pregnant women and mothers depends on several factors, including:7

The reaction of the body to the process of detox.
The frequency, the duration, the type, and the amount of substance abuse.
Existence of co-occurring mental or physical health problems.
The type and amount of insurance coverage you have.

How Does the Use of Alcohol and Drugs Affect Post-Pregnancy Mental Health?

One of the most frequent mental health problems that happen after giving birth is the appearance of postpartum depression, with approximately 13% of all new mothers struggling with it. However, mothers with substance abuse problems are more prone to developing mental health issues.14

Although there aren’t many studies examining the connection between SUD and postpartum depression, 30% of all individuals struggling with substance abuse disorder have developed an affective disorder at one point in their life. This can suggest a connection between SUD and affective disorders and also point to the fact that women with substance abuse disorder are at greater risk of experiencing postpartum depression.14

What Is the Law Regarding Substance Abuse During Pregnancy?

The legal ramifications regarding pregnant mothers with opioid, heroin, or addiction to other substances vary from state to state. In general, 18 states classify SUD during pregnancy as child abuse, while 3 state allow involuntary hospitalization due to in-pregnancy drug addiction.4

Is Drinking When Breastfeeding Allowed?

Pregnant women are advised to stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Although there isn’t conclusive proof as to what harm alcohol can do to the newborn baby, alcohol will reduce the amount of milk breastfeeding mothers produce.15

If you choose to continue drinking, it’s important to refrain during pregnancy and the first three months of your baby’s life until they establish a breastfeeding routine. Also, wait for approximately four hours after drinking to feed your baby. Finally, it’s important to check with your physician.15