If you have a drug or alcohol dependency and are pregnant, it is never too late to give your child a better life by treating your addiction. While the majority of people are aware of how important it is to abstain from illegal drugs and to only use the prescribed amount of any medications while pregnant, staying sober can be challenging at the best of times and when coupled with the stress of pregnancy, it can be even more so. Therefore, it is important for every expectant woman who experiences withdrawal symptoms when not using opioids to be aware of the following information about treatment options so that a better life is possible for both mother and child.      

You Are Not Alone In Your Dependency

Unfortunately, the very nature of drug addiction often leads sufferers to feel that when the party is over and everyone goes home, that it is just them and an always growing dependency on the drug. The truth is that when you're pregnant, you are never alone and many other women are struggling with the same situation you are. Specifically, recent estimates are that every 25 minutes in the United States, a baby addicted to opioids is born.

The drug withdrawal experienced by many babies of moms who used drugs, including opiates, during pregnancy is known as neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS. NAS is only one of the side effects that those babies are susceptible to and you can minimize the severity of your baby's expected health problems as soon as possible by entering into a rehabilitation program while you are still pregnant. Even if you do so mere weeks before giving birth, you are giving your child a better head start on life.    

Understanding The Benefits Of Inpatient Rehab

One common misconception is often that treating addictions, to opioids, alcohol, or other substances is essentially a one-size-fits-all situation. The truth is that any addiction is a very personal experience and as such, your treatment plan should be similarly customized to your needs. For instance, residential treatment is frequently an ideal choice for recovering addicts who want to treat their addiction without the constant availability of opioids that is part of the outside world. That treatment can take six months or more and it is even possible to find programs that permit you to have your young children live with you after reaching certain sobriety and personal goals. 

Choosing An Outpatient Rehabilitation Program 

Alternatively, some women, especially if their dependency has only manifested recently, can spend just a few days or weeks receiving in-patient treatment for their dependency and then attend support groups and counseling as an out-patient. It is important to note that there is a lower success rate for patients who attend outpatient rehabilitation. In addition, if you are treating your dependency as the result of a court order in order to avoid criminal charges or because you must complete an addiction program in order to maintain or regain custody of your children, the outpatient program may not be appropriate for you.           

In conclusion, opioid addictions can impact anyone, regardless of the reason for the initial use of the drug, age, gender, or financial status. Since opioid use during pregnancy is associated with significant health problems for the baby and children who test positive at birth for any illegal drug are often taken into state custody, it is very important to get the help you need now. The above information will help you determine the most appropriate option for getting clean and moving past your chemical dependency.    

For more information, talk to a professional like Bridgeway Recovery Services Inc.