So you think that people choose to be addicted? While that’s an utter myth, think about someone who is born addicted to drugs.
Yes, that’s right. Everyday, many babies are born around the world from addicted mothers–and they too are addicted.
Baby born addicted has to be treated with morphine to counteract withdrawal symptoms. (Credit to ABC News)
Pregnant Mothers Who Are Addicted to Drugs
Using drugs and alcohol while pregnant can lead to many health problems. A baby can be born with low birth weight, be born early (premature labor), or have congenital complications. For some, the drugs can cause pregnant mothers to have a miscarriage or have a stillborn child.
However, there are cases when the mother’s addiction to drugs can be passed on to her child, and the child is born addicted and with withdrawal symptoms. This is called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
These babies born addicted (drug-addicted infants) can endure many problems, such as fever, vomiting, tremors, diarrhea, gagging, constant hiccups, color changes, breathing problems, and many more. The tremors and twitching also make feeding difficult, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition, which is unhealthy and dangerous at their young age. The symptoms of NAS can last anywhere from 1 week to 6 months.
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the number of babies with NAS admitted in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) have increased four times from 2004 to 2013.
Long-term risks for babies born from addicted parents
Babies who are born addicted from addicted parents have a higher risk of coming home to a drug addicted environment as well. They come home to a family where at least one member is addicted to drugs have a higher risk of negative experiences not suitable (or even fatal) for a growing infant. This includes exposure to violence and abuse, malnutrition, neglect, and danger. This is especially true if the mother still continues to abuse drugs.
As they grow up, they run an increased risk for physical, emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues. They also are at a higher risk of using and being addicted to drugs at an earlier age compared to those who have less risk factors for addiction.
Still, there’s hope for the child, and for the parents, especially the mother. If the mother’s able to maintain her sobriety, their children are able to function just fine. They would need intervention and treatment, as well as ongoing support from the community and of course, the family.
Do you know someone, a parent or your parent, who is addicted to drugs? Or perhaps someone you care about is pregnant and using drugs. Seek help for them. Call or text us at Bridges of Hope 09175098826 (Manila) or 09177046659 (Cebu).
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