The number of babies born addicted to drugs or alcohol has increased in Michigan according to an article in The Times Herald. State officials say that the rise in babies born addicted to drugs can be attributed to the growth of opiate use amongst the population. Children’s Protective Services (CPS) reports a triple in numbers over the course of a six year period. CPS confirmed that, “1,379 infants were born in Michigan exposed to drugs in 2008. That number has risen steadily over the years [to] – 3,217 infants in 2013.” They furthered elaborated that in St. Clair County Michigan 49 infants had been born exposed to drugs in 2013, which is an increase from the 14 infants born exposed to drugs in 2008.
The rise in opiate use is showing more babies born addicted in Michigan and as a result, the infants withdraw from drugs or alcohol in the same way that an adult would withdraw.
What is Drug Withdrawal Like for a Baby?
Within the first four days of giving birth to a baby born addicted to drugs or alcohol, the baby will begin to experience the ‘shakes.’ This type of physical withdrawal is the same that an adult will experience which includes tremors or jitters of the body.
The infant’s body can also suffer from stiffness of the extremities, high fever, profuse sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, and sleep deprivation. The baby will cry and sneeze said Chief Medical Officer at McLaren Port Huron Hospital, Dr. Michael Tawney.
These types of symptoms detail what is known as neonatal abstinence syndrome which is the withdrawal that a baby born addicted to drugs or alcohol experiences as a result of a mother using during her pregnancy.
Tawney said that, “Anything the mother has in her system is going to be in the baby’s system as well. When the baby is born, the baby is suddenly without those drugs and they begin to have withdrawal symptoms. They’re a mess because their system is used to having this steady diet of drugs and the drug is gone.”
Women who use drugs or alcohol during their pregnancy can also experience premature child birth. Premature child birth can lead to cardio or respiratory problems that can last over time. Children who are born addicted to drugs very often have to be treated with medications to help curb their addiction. These medications include, “morphine, clonidine, phenobarbital, or methadone.” Overtime the medications are given in smaller and smaller amounts until the child no longer exhibits symptoms of withdrawal. Dr. Tawney stated that the medication can be administered for three weeks or more.
Hope and Help is Available
Fortunately for women who struggle with drugs or alcohol during their pregnancy, there is help available. At New Directions for Women we help women in any trimester of their pregnancy. Our treatment center works with specialized OBGYN’s whose expertise are in the treatment of women who struggle with drugs or alcohol. Our residential treatment program provides care to women of all ages. We can help you or your loved one detox from alcohol or drug use during pregnancy.
If you or someone you love struggles with addiction to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, call us today. Our caring admissions counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No woman has to suffer in silence or shame. There is help available.
New Directions for Women is a treatment facility located in California that offers help to women of all ages, pregnant women in any trimester, and women with children. Founded in 1977, our courageous and visionary founders asked for the help of Newport Beach Junior League members to fulfill their vision of a tranquil home-like facility that would treat women with dignity and respect. Our caring admissions counselors are available 24/7 to take your call and answer any questions you may have on getting help. Reach us by phone at 800-93-WOMEN. We can help. Stay in the loop with New Directions for Women by connecting with us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
