Pregnancy is often one of the most significant times in a woman’s entire life. There is much to think about, and a swirl of emotions may arise, which can make the process even more of a challenge than it would have been otherwise. If the expectant mother is addicted, this brings about a list of other questions and concerns.
Fortunately, there are drug rehab programs for pregnant mothers to help protect the safety of mother and child alike. Swift River Addiction Campuses is proud to be one of the few private drug rehab programs for pregnant mothers in Massachusetts. This article explains the special needs of addicted moms and how Swift River meets them.
Meeting the Needs of Addicted Pregnant Mothers
Pregnant moms have some unique needs and considerations while they are in drug rehab. But at the end of the day, the core essentials of good addiction treatment are just as necessary for pregnant moms with addiction as they are for anyone else suffering from addiction. These include counseling, group and/or individual therapy, and behavioral therapy.
Addiction Counseling for Pregnant Mothers
Counseling allows the pregnant woman to work closely with a therapist trained in addiction treatment to better understand their addiction, set recovery goals and assess ongoing recovery progress, as well as work through specific issues which contribute to or lead to substance use.
Counseling may be even more necessary in drug rehabs for pregnant mothers due to the burden these women carry. The consequences if their recovery isn’t successful and long-lasting will affect not other the addicted mother, but her newborn child. There is a lot at stake.
Group Therapy in Drug Rehab Programs for Pregnant Mothers
Group therapy helps connect pregnant women in treatment with others in recovery. At Swift River, pregnant women will be connected to other women who are undergoing issues similar to their own, promoting a sense of community and support.
While everyone’s experience in recovery is a bit different, it is the struggles we all share that bind us together. It’s impossible to overestimate the value of that bond and connection in drug rehab programs for pregnant mothers.
Individual Therapy for Pregnant, Addicted Moms
Individual addiction therapy allows the pregnant woman to work through especially sensitive issues she may not be comfortable sharing with a group. Past trauma, sexual, physical and mental abuse, and other circumstances can play a very real part in addiction.
Working through these issues and processing trauma is essential in order for the pregnant woman to maintain her recovery after treatment and continue to heal and grow. At Swift River, we pride ourselves on providing a trauma-aware addiction treatment program for pregnant females 18 years of age or older.
Behavioral Therapy for Women with Addiction
Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offered at Swift River, helps women work through destructive behavior and establish positive mindsets to incorporate new behavioral habits and thought processes. Breaking past patterns of self-defeating behavior and learning how to manage emotions and impulsivity, and making better decisions by using critical thinking is one of the core objectives. After completing tr
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Pregnant Women
Due to physical dependence, pregnant women may need medication-assisted treatment, especially those who are dependent on prescription opioids or heroin. Many people need medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms during detoxification, but some also need ongoing medication management, known as MAT.
Medication-assisted treatment combines medication management with evidence-based therapies and 24/7 medical support to aid in recovery and help avoid relapse. Pregnant women addicted to opioids may need to taper off their use of them, and MAT allows them to do so in a supported environment and within a timeline that is right for them.
Careful Medical Observation Throughout Rehab
Pregnant women will need not only daily monitoring but also require constant, reliable access to medical support. Pregnant women, in general, must work in close confidence with physicians to ensure their own physical and psychological health and that of their unborn baby. But addicted pregnant women may also be facing other complications, such as the risk of relapse or treatment of additional substance use disorders or mental health disorders.
Through consistent and supportive medical supervision, pregnant women can ensure their own physical health as well as the health of their child. Remaining in good health during her pregnancy not only allows the expectant mother to focus on and engage with treatment but lays the groundwork for healthy behavior in the future.
Medically Supervised Detox For Pregnant Mothers
Pregnant women who have become dependent on drugs will need to detoxify their bodies prior to treatment. For some, this process may require medication and will certainly require constant medical monitoring.
The drug and alcohol rehab program for pregnant women at Swift River incorporates medically supervised detox when needed. Pregnant women can enter the program and receive ongoing medical support, medication if necessary, such as buprenorphine (Suboxone), nutritional support, and preparation for inpatient treatment which begins immediately after completing detox.
Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment For Pregnant Women
Pregnant women in addiction treatment may come to treatment with other illnesses or conditions, which can include co-occurring disorders (also called a dual diagnosis). A pregnant woman who has a co-occurring disorder struggles with both addiction or substance use and a mental health disorder.
Treating co-occurring disorders can present additional complications, as identifying and properly addressing both disorders is key to recovery success. At Swift River, our treatment specialists will provide full clinical assessments for each patient to determine all treatment needs and treat them accordingly.
Other Addiction Treatment Features For Pregnant Women
Near the end of inpatient treatment, it’s important that pregnant women have a plan in place, both for continued care for their health and pregnancy and for recovery. Addiction often leads to relapse for those newly in recovery. Much of inpatient treatment helps individuals prepare the skills and tools necessary to confront relapse if and when it happens.
To combat relapse, pregnant women should have access to aftercare, such as community support groups and local addiction treatment resources. Outpatient services and programs typically provide counseling and group therapy for continued care. Swift River provides resources for pregnant women for continued care, offers access to an alumni network and reaches out to program graduates to aid in a lasting recovery.
Addiction Rehab for Pregnant Women in Massachusetts
Pregnant women can experience any number of complications, risks, and side effects due to substance use or addiction. That’s why it’s of utmost importance that pregnant women get into treatment as soon as possible—to give themselves and their unborn child the best chance at a lasting recovery.
Learn more about drug and alcohol rehab programs for pregnant women in Massachusetts at Swift River today. Contact us at 413-570-9698
