Help I am Pregnant and an Addict
There are a lot of resources on the internet, in books, and from
the medical community on the dangers of drug and alcohol use
during pregnancy. However, there is not very much quality
information on what you should do if you have a problem with
alcohol or drugs and are pregnant. The simple answer is you need
to quit. With all the treatment programs availabele; AA,
treatment facilities, therapy, self-control, etc., why wouldn't
a women be able to get help. Why would anyone use drugs or
alcohol while they are pregnant. Most pregnant moms know or have
read that using drugs or alcohol can cause numerous problems for
their unborn baby. But there are many reasons women avoid
treatment.
Some do not believe they are really an addict or alcoholic. They
may convince themselves that they don't drink or use very much
or that often. The truth, if you are not capable of quitting
during a time in your life when it is most essential that you do
not drink or use, you are an addict. If you were not addicted
quitting during pregnancy would not be difficult.
Many women falsely believe that an occasional drink or drug use
is not really harmful. They may minimize their problem and
rationalize what they are doing. They may say things like well
when my mother was pregnant she drank/smoke and I turned out
fine.
Sometimes a woman may convince herself that she is done and it
won't happen again. Perhaps she has used during the first month
but she will tell herself, I will get help if I do this again.
With the next time it happening repeating the same rational in
her mind, each time thinking it is the last.
Addiction is a shameful disease. Addicts come in all forms.
People with addiction can hide their disease very well. Their
friends and family may not even realize that they have a
problem. Talking to a health professional about this may be
something they are too afraid to do.
They may be afraid to talk to a professional for fear of having
an investigation by Child Protective services.
Marijuana supporters put out a lot of false information about
the risks to an unborn child. Minimizing the dangers, even going
as far as to say babies born to marijuana users are less fussy
and more content. They may choose to believe this misinformation
in order to avoid facing their addiction.
Risks of using drugs and alcohol during pregnancy
Smoking: Babies are more likely to be born preterm and with low
birth weight.
Alcohol:
Can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Babies born with FAS may have
symptoms of alcohol withdrawal shortly after birth. They often
have a small head, small eyes, a wide flat nose, and a small
jaw. Children with FAS may have growth problems, diminished
mental capacity, and emotional problems.
Marijuana: Can cause preterm birth, low birth weight and some
studies say it can cause attention problems in children.
Coccaine: Babies born to cocaine users often go through
withdrawal symptoms after birth. Fetal growth may be retarded,
there is a greater risk of premature labor and abruption of the
placenta. Babies often have low birth weight, may have feeding
problems, and are at greater risk of sids. Children of cocaine
addicted mothers may have emotional problems, short attention
span, and learning disabilities.
Heroin and other narcotics: Mother is at a greater risk of
having preterm labor and having a baby with low birth weight.
Babies of heroin addicted moms may have breathing difficulties,
hypoglycemia, and intracranial hemorrhage. They also will go
through withdrawal after birth.
If you need help
If you think that you have a problem there are places to get
help. Please do not wait. One of the best places to get help is
at Acoholic Anonymous www.aa.org Or you can look in your phone
book under alcoholic anonymous. Someone there will gladly help
you find meeting locations and someone to talk to.
Resources NIDA March of Dimes American Council for Drug
Education