Are there Specialized Treatment Centers for Pregnant Women in fort Lauderdale, FL and Across the US?

Finding the best drug rehabs for pregnant women in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in the US is a difficult task. While this is a much undeserved population in the heroin epidemic, it is also the most difficult to treat. No one is exempt from the opioid crisis in America.  It has no walls or barriers. It doesn’t see people as black or brown or white. It doesn’t care if you are male or female and a mother-to-be.  The opioid crisis is relentless in its pursuit of victims, and with the current state of affairs in the US; it is gaining in momentum every day.

Pregnant women who have become addicted to opiates and their unborn infants are at significant risk of ongoing problems throughout the pregnancy. Infants born of addicted mothers stand a high risk of being born addicted themselves, and of having long term birth defects that may last them a lifetime. It’s no wonder that pregnant victims of addiction are seeking specialized treatment centers for pregnant women.

The NIH or National Institute on Health study which indicates a high association between a pregnant mother’s use of drugs and severe behavior problems that develop later in the child’s life. The study points to the bad, but not surprising news regarding the dangerous and potentially long-term effects and costs of drug or alcohol use during pregnancy.

Regardless of how it’s consumed:

• Injection
• snorting
• drinking
• smoking
• swallowing 

Any substance absorbed into the body during pregnancy could pass to an unborn infant. Most drugs and alcohol are absorbed easily through the umbilical cord and the placenta. Bottom line is that if a pregnant woman is smoking weed, her baby is essentially too. Recent studies have indicated that the use of any of the following substances can double or even triple the risk of stillbirth. (Prescription pain relievers, smoking tobacco or weed, alcohol, opiates of any form)

Potential Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on Children of Addicted Mothers

A child born with birth defects is a tragedy. It becomes a double tragedy when the birth defect is caused by an expectant mother’s use of drugs or alcohol. And the chances are high that children born of alcoholic or drug addicted women may have multiple long term negative effects. When you consider that there are readily available treatment centers for pregnant women, the tragedy is seemingly that much worse.

The list of potential birth defects resulting from the mother’s substance abuse is extensive and includes but is not limited to all of the following conditions:

• Birth defects
• Low birth weight
• Withdrawal symptoms after birth
• Small head circumference
• Premature birth
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

It has long been known that the use of alcohol while pregnant is a leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. When pregnant women drink, the alcohol passes in the bloodstream through the umbilical cord directly to the unborn child. Drinking during pregnancy is a major cause of miscarriage and stillbirth. Additionally, it may cause permanent intellectual, behavioral, and physical disabilities. Known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, these children may display the following conditions:

• Low body weight
• Poor coordination
• Abnormal facial features
• Small head size
• Shorter-than-average height
• Hyperactive behavior
• Speech and language delays
• Intellectual disability or low IQ
• Poor reasoning and judgment skills
• Difficulty with attention
• Poor memory
• Difficulty in school
• Learning disabilities
• Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
• Vision or hearing problems

Treatment Centers for Pregnant Women in Fort Lauderdale Provide Specialized Services

A message to pregnant women with substance abuse issues:

If you are pregnant and addicted to drugs or alcohol, don’t let fears or the fear of being judged taint you. We have addiction treatment programs for pregnant women that will help. Thousands of respectable women have been in your situation and have successfully recovered from their addictions. Many of these women have gone on to raise successful children and launch successful careers – and you can too!

There are treatment centers for pregnant women who are prepared to help you through this difficult condition. A residential program of recovery for pregnant women will provide a safe place to for you to receive the addiction and mental health treatment you need while providing your baby with the best chance for a safe and healthy delivery.

You have nothing to be ashamed of. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects millions of people from all walks of life, including pregnant women. Recent studies indicate more over 18 million people are addicted to alcohol and over 25 million adults abuse opiates, prescription drugs.

REMEMBER: Nobody woke up one day and said to themselves, I want to get addicted to drugs and alcohol. But tens of thousands have made the choice to attend rehab and get sober. You can make that choice too – and decide to get help.  An interesting fact is that approximately 5% of women (of child-bearing age) admitted to treatment are pregnant when they arrive.

What to Expect When Expecting Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

So you made the choice to go to rehab… Congratulations!! Now you need to find the best drug rehabs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Depending on the severity of your addiction and other factors, you may be advised to begin with a medically supervised detox. If so, the sooner you begin, the better the outcome will be for your unborn baby. When choosing a treatment program, be sure to seek out a treatment center whose services are specifically focused on the needs of pregnant and postpartum women. 

Depending on your specific needs, you may choose to attend an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or a residential program. If you have small children, there are even programs where mothers can bring their infants or small children into treatment with them.

Even under optimal conditions, becoming a mother is stressful. Woman’s hormone levels may be out-of-control during both pregnancy and the postpartum period. Your most critical mission is to find a wide ranging program that addresses your individual needs, and offers moms and moms-to-be comprehensive services that may include any or all of the following, and much more.

Group and Individual Counseling – This type of counseling allows individual and group discussions of certain trauma that are common to young female addicts. Also helps women develop the skills necessary to manage the intense emotions of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood without turning to alcohol or drugs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps to identify specific triggers that may lead to substance abuse. For decades, CBT has successfully been used with different demographic groups ranging from victims of addiction to senior level business executives and professional athletes to get past mental blocks and issues that were holding them back.

Nutritional Services and Counseling – Few things are more important than nutrition for pregnant and postpartum women and their children. As a general statement, victims of addiction do not pay much attention to healthy diet, personal hygiene or regular sleep patterns. Again; all of these are vital to pregnant and postpartum women and their children. While in treatment, an improvement in overall health is a “hidden” benefit and may allow for improved mental clarity desire to remain abstinent.

Holistic Medicine – Different methodologies help create a connection between body and mind, while aiding women in regaining their self-confidence. These comprise a wide variety of healing methods that don’t solely rely on pharmaceutical or surgical treatments. These may include EMDT, RRT, Mindfulness, Yoga, Massage Therapy, Brain-mapping, and more. Before beginning any type exercise regime, pregnant women should of course, consult with their doctors.

A Closing word about Treatment Centers for Pregnant Women and IOP

The loneliness of addiction leaves thousands of women feeling isolated. The peer support and ability to relate to others in similar situations are helpful and necessary during recovery. The Source addiction treatment center and drug rehabilitation facility has the resources to help. Group sessions and programs focused specifically on pregnant women and women with young children facilitate what often turn into lifetime friendships and provide the ability to maintain relationships with a supportive community.

When moving to the next phase of recovery after treatment, a level of continuing support for women in recovery is essential. Many women choose to attend an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) after being in residential treatment. Experts agree that this is an excellent may to build upon and reinforce the foundation of recovery built in residential treatment.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are treatment programs that enable folks to return to their normal, day-to-day lives outside of residential treatment. Most residential treatment programs require that clients live onsite, whereas most clients attending intensive outpatient programs live at home, or in many cases, a halfway house.

If you or someone you know is pregnant and addicted to drugs or alcohol, time is critical. The Source Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale is a treatment center for pregnant women, and they are currently accepting new clients. Contact them today by calling (800) 204-0418.