Help I am Pregnant and an Addict

Author: Patty Hone

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

About the author:

Patty Hone is a wife and mommy to three kids. She is also the

owner of Justmommies.com. Justmommies is an online community for

mommies to make friends and find support. Please visit

Justmommies at http://www.justmommies.com

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Help I am Pregnant and an Addict

Article : Help I am Pregnant and an Addict