As a mother, imagine receiving this piece of wonderful news: you are pregnant. For women across the United States and the world, these are some of the most magical and emotionally stirring words they will ever hear in their lives. Having a baby is an amazing, natural power experienced just by women. However, pregnancy is also a risky time. Mothers have to watch what they eat and drink and how much of these foods or substances they consume. The grim reality, however, is that some expectant women do not refrain from drugs. Sometimes, they will continue to indulge far into their pregnancies, and the effects on their babies are detrimental. So, this leads to one important question: do infants suffer from addiction to drugs as a result? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
The Reality of NAS
The short answer to the question is “no.” Mothers who use drugs while they are pregnant will not give birth to addict babies. However, the infants will have traces of the chemicals in their bodies. Once the supply has been cut off, these newborns (like any addicts) will experience uncomfortable and painful withdrawal symptoms.
Doctors refer to this process as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and it can be caused by any foreign and potent drug. Babies who have been exposed to opioids have already been set up for discomfort during their recoveries. Likewise, mothers who consume cocaine will ultimately give birth to “crack babies,” who are typically underweight and have severe behavioral problems down the road.
From 1999 to 2013, NAS cases have tripled due greatly in part to the Opioid Crisis. In 2013 alone, 6 out of a reported 1,000 babies were born with a variant of this illness.
Here are some signs that a baby is suffering from NAS:
- Tremors and seizures
- Fever
- Fussiness with feeding
- Labored or restricted breathing
- Diarrhea
Treatment
The good news is that, as stated earlier, babies are not born addicted. Ultimately, hospital staff members provide love, support, and medication to comfort and heal the infant.
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance abuse disorder or addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug addiction and substance abuse troubles today.