Opioid Addiction in Pregnant Women Increasing

Between 1999 and 2014 the rate of pregnant women addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers more than quadrupled, severely spiking the need for opioid addiction treatment in pregnancy. This alarming fact was reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Opioid Addiction and Pregnancy: A Rising Problem

Opioid use during pregnancy can negatively affect the health of both the mother and child. Consequences of this behavior can be premature labor, long-term health consequences for the child, and even the death of the mother or baby. Despite these potential consequences, the rate of opioid use disorder diagnoses went up a full 333 percent nationwide (although the data is only available in 30 states).

The Consequences of Opioid Addiction During Pregnancy

Children of parents addicted to opioids can face many problems. They can face health problems including tremors and rapid breathing. They may also have trouble eating properly and cry often. They may also suffer from ineffective parenting and fail to achieve proper nutrition, supervision, and grow up in a household with an absence of nurturing.

This results in a rising number of children needing to be removed from their parents and placed into shelters or foster care.

Symptoms Experienced by A Pregnant Mother Addicted to Opioids

1. Physical Health Issues: These may include chronic pain, respiratory problems, and liver damage. Pregnant women addicted to opioids can suffer from complications during pregnancy, such as premature birth, miscarriages, and birth defects.
2. Mental Health Struggles: Mothers may experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, making it challenging to provide a stable and nurturing environment for their children.
3. Financial and Legal Problems: Addiction often leads to job loss, legal issues, and financial instability, affecting the family’s living conditions and the child’s access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
4. Neglect and Abuse: In severe cases, addiction may result in neglect or abuse of children. Mothers may become emotionally unavailable or physically violent, leading to traumatizing experiences for the child.

Symptoms Experienced by the Child of A Pregnant Mother Addicted to Opioids

1. Physical Health Issues: Children born to mothers addicted to opioids may suffer from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), which can cause symptoms such as tremors, seizures, and difficulty in feeding. Long-term, they might face developmental delays and other health issues.
2. Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Growing up in an unstable environment can lead to emotional and behavioral challenges in children, including anxiety, depression, and difficulties in social interaction. They may also be at a higher risk of developing addiction themselves later in life.
3. Educational Struggles: These children often struggle academically, as the home environment may not support their educational needs. They may have trouble concentrating, display disruptive behavior, and fall behind in school.
4. Social Isolation: Stigma associated with addiction can lead to social isolation for both mothers and children. Friends, family, and community may distance themselves, leading to a lack of support and further exacerbating the problems faced by the family.
5. Exposure to Criminal Activity: In some cases, children may be exposed to illegal activities related to drug use, which can have long-lasting effects on their perception of law, ethics, and societal norms.

Seeking Help for Opioid Addiction During Pregnancy

If you are an expecting mother and continue using opioids, it is your absolute responsibility to seek help from professionals immediately. Your unborn child may already have to live for the rest of their life with the consequences of your addiction, so action must be taken to minimize and manage that as early as possible. The good news is that there are drug rehab centers in South Florida and throughout the rest of the state and country that are ready and willing to help you detox safely. We can also work with you to develop a long-term solution to find ways of managing your pain and provide as safe and secure an environment for your child as possible. Please call us now at (833) 596-3502, for your sake and your child’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the rate of increase in opioid addiction among pregnant women?
   Between 1999 and 2014, the rate of pregnant women addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers more than quadrupled. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for specialized opioid addiction treatment during pregnancy.
2. How does opioid addiction during pregnancy affect the health of the mother and child?
   Opioid use during pregnancy can cause premature or preterm labor, long-term health consequences for the child, and even the death of the mother or baby. Physical health issues for mothers may include chronic pain, respiratory problems, and liver damage.
3. What are Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and its symptoms?
   NAS is a condition experienced by children born to mothers addicted to opioids. Symptoms can include tremors, seizures, difficulty feeding, and long-term developmental delays.
4. What are the long-term consequences for children born to mothers with drug addiction?
   These children may suffer from health problems, emotional and behavioral challenges, educational struggles, social isolation, and exposure to criminal activity. The impact can extend into adulthood, affecting various aspects of their lives.
5. How does opioid addiction affect a mother’s ability to parent?
   Mothers struggling with addiction may experience mental health disorders, financial instability, and legal problems. They may become neglectful or abusive, leading to an environment that lacks proper nutrition, supervision, and nurturing for the child.
6. What can be done to treat opioid addiction during pregnancy?
   Treatment options are available at drug rehab centers that provide safe detox and long-term pain management solutions. Specialized care for expecting mothers is essential to minimize and manage the consequences of addiction for both mother and child.
7. What is the national trend in opioid use disorder diagnoses during pregnancy?
   The rate of opioid use disorder diagnoses went up a full 333 percent nationwide between 1999 and 2014. However, the data is only available in 30 states, indicating that the problem might be even more widespread.
8. How can social stigma affect families dealing with opioid addiction?
   Stigma associated with addiction may lead to social isolation for both mothers and children. Friends, family, and community may distance themselves, exacerbating the problems faced by the family.
9. What are the resources available for opioid addiction treatment in pregnancy?
   Professional help is available across the state and country, with rehab centers ready and willing to support expecting mothers in safely detoxing and developing a long-term solution for managing pain.

10. How can I seek help for opioid addiction during pregnancy?
    If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction during pregnancy, immediate professional help is essential. You can call FHE at (844) 721-2323 to find support for detox and long-term care to provide a safe and secure environment for both mother and child.