You can and should detox from drugs while pregnant. Choosing to detox from drugs at this time is a noble and courageous decision. Just admitting you are using drugs or alcohol while pregnant can be both embarrassing and terrifying. You may even be tempted to try quitting drugs on your own.
However, detoxing alone can be risky for you and your baby. To ensure safety for both of you, you need to be medically supervised through the process. Your choice to detox now can improve the outcome of your child’s life in many ways. We’re not here to judge you. We’re here to help.
Are you pregnant and concerned about getting off drugs safely?
Medical Supervision During Detox
Medical supervision is the best option for detoxing from drugs and alcohol. That’s true for pregnant women, too. You may feel hesitant to begin medically supervised detox if you don’t have much information about it. Don’t worry. Our staff can answer your questions about how to stop using drugs. In the meantime, here are some of the ways we guide you through the detox process.
Experienced Doctors
At Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, we have a team of doctors and nursing staff who are highly experienced in helping people get through the detox phase of drug and alcohol treatment. After all, our entire treatment center is focused on assisting people who have substance abuse. We have helped many pregnant women succeed in overcoming addiction.
Our facility is certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. We are accredited by The Joint Commission as well. And just as important, we have been successful in helping many pregnant women get through detox and past substance use disorders.
24/7 Nursing Care
During pregnancy, detox presents extraordinary challenges. So, at this time, it is critical that you have round-the-clock care. Our detox programs always include 24/7 nursing care, which is an important factor in detoxing from drugs while pregnant. If at any time you feel distressed, in pain, or ill, the team will evaluate your situation and provide as much relief as possible. We monitor your vital signs and your condition constantly to ensure we take the right steps when you need extra care.
Assessment and Treatment Plan
Your journey to sobriety began with your decision to seek help. Once you come to Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, our staff interviews you to find out all the information we need to create your treatment plan. We ask things like:
- What drugs do you take, and how often?
- Do you use alcohol, and how much?
- Have you had any medical problems with your pregnancy?
- What is your family history, including substance use?
- Do you have any medical conditions?
There might be many other questions to answer. Yet, knowing your background, your current condition, and your substance abuse issues will help us create the best plan for the detox phase of your treatment.
Provide a Safe, Supportive Environment
Detoxing from drugs while pregnant goes much more smoothly if you are in a safe and supportive place. Although your home may seem safe, being in a medical detox center is even safer. The environment you will be in is carefully designed for safety and comfort. In addition, the staff supports you and encourages you in this difficult time.
Stabilization
When you first start detox, you may go through many uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Some of the symptoms you might experience include:
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Physical discomfort
- Mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
During this time, our medical team will follow your treatment plan. The plan will include all the medications and therapies recommended for you. Most detox plans include measures to take for side effects. You may be prescribed medications to lessen the severity of the side effects. This is especially important during pregnancy because severe withdrawal symptoms can harm the fetus. The goal is to stabilize your condition so that you can move on to the next stages of recovery.
In the meantime, if anything changes, we reassess your condition and determine if you need different types of care. At every point, we monitor how you’re doing and respond promptly to keep you safe and on the path to completed detoxification.
Preparing for the Next Step
Because we recognize that detox is usually not enough to prevent relapses, we typically recommend further care. That could be short or long-term inpatient treatment or even outpatient care. So, during the time you are detoxing, we will tell you about our rehab programs and explain how they can help.
After Detox
Detoxing from drugs while pregnant can feel like a gigantic hurdle to cross without help. However, with our experts assisting you, you can move through detox safely. Yet, the treatment rarely ends there. There are too many social, cultural, and personal factors involved in substance abuse to address them all during detox.
Therefore, we are ready to help if you want to avoid relapse and formulate a drug-free life for you and your child. In fact, we strongly recommend you stay for inpatient rehabilitation treatment. Here, you will explore your life issues and discover ways to improve them. We do this through group and individual therapy, life skills classes, and music and recreation therapies.
Therapies for Rehab
Without therapy, it’s very common for people to relapse and start using drugs again, often while still pregnant. Addressing your substance abuse triggers, learning to manage stress, and gaining support can make an amazing difference in your ability to stay away from drugs. At Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, we provide a broad spectrum of therapies within our treatment programs.
- Individual therapy helps you address your personal challenges in a private setting.
- Group therapy helps you address your issues with others, so you can learn from them and begin to interact socially again.
- Stress management classes help you learn to reduce the pressures you face in your daily life.
- Music and art therapy help you express and share your emotions.
- Recreational therapy and group fitness help you learn to relax, interact with others, and improve your health. You will never be asked to participate in ways that would jeopardize your or your baby’s health.
- A 12-step introduction gets you started with independent programs that will foster your sobriety and give you support in your commitment to not use drugs.
- Relapse prevention makes it easier and surer that you can avoid abusing drugs in the future.
- Family education also promotes support for you by getting your loved ones onboard to support you in the best ways.
You get customized care when you come to Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital for detoxing from drugs while pregnant. If your condition permits and you can’t stay for long-term inpatient rehab, we might recommend partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs. In any case, detoxing from drugs while pregnant is the safest first step.
