Drug Addiction and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and using illegal drugs, then you are not only putting yourself at risk but your unborn child as well. You're also not alone: many women who are pregnant in the United States are using some type of illegal drug, like cocaine or marijuana, and many more use a legal substance that is damaging to themselves and the fetus, like alcohol or tobacco. All of these of substances of addiction can cause serious harm to an unborn child.

At The Canyon, we provide help and treatment to women who are suffering from drug addiction. If you are pregnant and are addicted to drugs or alcohol, contact us. We can help.

Drug Addiction and Pregnancy: Effects on the Baby

When women use drugs, the babies feel just as much effect as do the mothers. Oftentimes, the babies can become addicted themselves, and when they are born, go through withdrawal symptoms called neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS. NAS can occur in babies whose mothers take drugs like heroin, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. Some of the symptoms of NAS include things like bad coordination, colic, problems eating and tremors.

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Drug Addiction and Pregnancy: Effects on the Mother

others who take drugs when they are pregnant are at risk for a variety of diseases and physical problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, blood infections, STDs and a variety of other diseases. And, nearly every disease that can affect the mother can also affect the child, since there is a connection between the mother and unborn child through the umbilical cord and placenta.

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Drug Addiction and Pregnancy: Different Drugs Have Different Effects

Different drugs have different effects, not only on the mother, but on the unborn child as well. All types of drugs can enter into the unborn child by crossing the placenta and entering the child's bloodstream and traveling to the developing brain. Cocaine use, for example, can cause detachment of the placenta, premature birth, sudden infant death syndrome and stillbirth. Other effects from cocaine include things like growth defects, tremors, hyperactivity and problems learning and comprehending. Other drugs, like heroin, can cause the child to experience severe withdrawal symptoms after birth, which can last from four to six months, and may include things like heart problems, high blood pressure and seizures.

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Drug Addiction and Pregnancy: Is There Hope for Drug Addicted Mothers?

Although any drug use during pregnancy can negatively affect the unborn child, if a mother stops taking the drugs before the first trimester has ended, the chances of her child being born healthy increase dramatically.

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Drug Addiction Treatment for Pregnant Mothers at The Canyon

The most important function of our Healing Life Program here at The Canyon is to help you develop a positive relationship with yourself. To that end, you will be able to choose from a variety of treatment options in addition to group therapy, individual therapy and our organic nutrition program designed to help keep you and your baby healthy. Therapies like equine-assisted psychotherapy, adventure/ropes therapy and EMDR/hypnotherapy will help you heal from your drug addiction and prepare for the birth of your child. At The Canyon, we care about your continued success and will do everything possible to make your stay with us a successful one. Contact The Canyon today at for more information about what we have to offer women who are pregnant and addicted to drugs or alcohol.

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