For women who learn they’re pregnant while struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, there are resources and support available for recovery. Seeking and maintaining recovery during pregnancy is a courageous and important step. If you’re newly pregnant and struggling with substance addiction, you likely have questions and concerns. Our guide below addresses frequently asked questions about pregnancy and addiction with treatment resources and support to help you make informed decisions.
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition that can occur when pregnant women consume alcohol and can cause serious birth defects and development issues when a fetus is exposed to it. FAS is part of a broader category called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), which includes a range of effects caused by prenatal alcohol consumption.
How Much Drinking Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Any amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can cause FAS, and there is no known “safe” amount to drink. Even a small amount of alcohol can increase the risk of FAS, so it is important to avoid alcohol entirely during pregnancy to minimize the chance of any Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Infants born with FAS can exhibit a variety of signs and symptoms. These can include physical development issues like facial abnormalities or blindness/deafness, learning disabilities such as lack of memory, and social and behavioral difficulties.
For alcohol use during pregnancy, it is not too late to seek help. Alcohol addiction treatment during pregnancy is available at Axiom Care, where our team offers safe and supportive care.
What if I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant and Drank Alcohol?
If you find out you’re pregnant and have consumed alcohol, don’t panic. While drinking before knowing you were pregnant may not cause harm, minor amounts still can affect pregnancy, and it is important to stop consuming alcohol right away.
If you did drink alcohol before you found out you were pregnant, speak with your doctor right away. Medical professionals can assess the situation and offer guidance on the next steps. Every woman and every pregnancy is unique, and women who stop drinking early in their pregnancies have a better chance of giving birth to healthy babies.
If you are struggling to stop drinking while pregnant, contact our team at Axiom Care for alcohol addiction treatment.
What Happens When a Baby is Born Addicted to Drugs?
When a baby is born to a mother who used drugs during pregnancy, it may have neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). In this condition, the infant experiences withdrawal from the substances they were exposed to in the womb. Symptoms of NAS can include tremors, irritability and crying, poor feeding, and trouble sleeping.
How Long Do Drugs Stay in a Baby’s System?
Depending on the substance, the time that drugs stay in a baby’s system varies. The mother’s use patterns can impact this too. Withdrawal symptoms in newborns can be treated, but there may be long-term effects on the infant’s development, including learning and behavioral disabilities. Infants born with NAS also experience higher mortality rates.
If you’re pregnant and struggling with substance use, contact Axiom Care for drug addiction treatment as soon as possible for you and your baby’s help.
What Does Addiction Treatment Look Like for Pregnant Women?
Addiction treatment for pregnant women at Axiom Care is tailored to meet the unique needs of each woman’s recovery. Treatment includes medical supervision to monitor mother and baby’s safety and can involve medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and prenatal care, all to support both physical and mental well-being.
Axiom Care offers financial assistance to pregnant women seeking drug and alcohol addiction treatment who lack insurance coverage through the Arizona Substance Use Block Grant.
Can You Go to Rehab While Pregnant?
Yes, many drug treatment facilities (including Axiom Care) offer specialized detox treatment programs for pregnant women. Our detox treatment care is designed to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to meet the needs of pregnancy, including monitoring, nutrition, and emotional support.
Can you Go through Detox While Pregnant?
Detox can be risky for pregnant women due to the potential impact on their baby(s). However, medically supervised detox programs can help pregnant women detox from drugs and alcohol safely. Detoxing at a qualified alcohol and drug treatment facility like Axiom Care can help minimize symptoms and reduce risks to recover safely during your pregnancy.
Start Your Journey to Recovery Today
If you’re pregnant and struggling with addiction, you don’t have to face it alone. Recovery is possible, and compassionate care is available. At Axiom Care, we offer addiction treatment for pregnant women to help navigate recovery while focusing on the health and safety of both mother and baby. Reach out to our team at Axiom Care today to start your recovery journey and create a plan for your individual needs.