Safe detox: the fastest way to clean out your system during pregnancy

Using drugs or alcohol while pregnant is dangerous for both the mother and the child. But for someone who may already have developed a substance use disorder prior to becoming pregnant, stopping the drug or alcohol use could be more challenging than they think. Luckily, there are treatment options that are designed specifically for this scenario. Safe detox programs are available for pregnant women who cannot stop using on their own.

Contact Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554 to find out more about treatment programs in Colorado for women. Expectant mothers can feel comfortable in a gender-specific program that caters to women in their condition. They will go through treatment alongside other women who will be sharing similar experiences in a treatment program designed just for them.

The process of withdrawal from drugs or alcohol while pregnant has to have extra layers of safety built in to ensure that both the mother and child are not at risk during the process. Developmental issues and other health concerns that surround a mother using while pregnant include:

• Premature birth
• Stillbirth
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Placental abruption
• Miscarriage
• Underweight at birth
• A small head size
• Postnatal withdrawal syndrome

The child will also have a genetic predisposition for possible addiction when they are older because of the mother’s addiction while pregnant.

Evidence-based therapies that can support a safe detox experience include:

• Psychotherapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Neurofeedback therapy
• Behavior modification therapy

Following a safe detox, therapy will be needed to reinforce a healthier lifestyle and learn effective coping techniques.

Addiction during pregnancy involves a lot of risks. Getting help through a professional treatment program as soon as possible is essential to minimize the risks to both mother and child. Going through detox, treatment, and recovery while pregnant will be more complicated than for non-pregnant females. More time may be necessary to go through the detox process safely. The goal is to have both the mother and baby be clean of any drugs and associated risks.

A treatment program will include:

• Working closely with a behavioral therapist to address past traumas that may have led to the addiction. Behavioral therapies can include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These therapies redirect negative feelings and focus on coping techniques.
• Full support for you and your child through safe medications to manage withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient care may be necessary if the addiction is severe to ensure a miscarriage does not happen during detox.
• Developing healthy life skills around nutrition, women’s health, postpartum self-care, and infant care.
• Dual diagnosis treatment if a co-occurring mental health disorder exists.
• Experiential therapies like yoga and massage.

Getting help right away is critical for everyone’s health and safety. This allows the time and resources necessary to be the healthiest version of yourself you can be when you welcome your baby into the world.

Treatment looks different for each person, and it can take many forms. Intensive inpatient programs can last approximately a month, and outpatient programs can last up to 3 months as they are more flexible and work around your schedule and life commitments. The most important thing when pregnant and battling a substance use disorder is to safely remove the substance from your system within a safe and supportive environment so that mother and child are both healthy.

Contact Women’s Recovery online or at 833.754.0554 to learn more about safe detox options for expectant mothers as part of the women’s treatment center in Colorado. A treatment team member is available to answer any questions you have about the treatment experience.