The Risks of Addiction During Pregnancy

Key Takeaways:

• Alcohol, drugs, and tobacco during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, developmental problems, withdrawal, and other complications.
• Pregnant women should seek medical guidance before stopping substances or changing prescription medications because withdrawal and medication changes may require careful supervision.
• Treatment may combine medical stabilization, therapy, mental health support, nutritional care, family education, and ongoing recovery planning for both mother and baby.

Navigating the complex realities of addiction during pregnancy can feel isolating, but it is important to know that support is available. Drug, alcohol, or tobacco addiction during pregnancy threatens complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, and slowed growth. Seeking early, compassionate care is the most effective way to improve outcomes for both you and your developing baby.

At Midwest Recovery Centers, we provide addiction treatment for pregnant women, educating them on possibilities and developing a strategy for a healthy pregnancy. We stand with you every step of the way to identify risks and keep you and your baby safe.

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in addiction treatment is that pregnant women struggling with substance use need compassionate, evidence-based care—not judgment. I’ve seen fear, shame, and concerns about their baby’s health prevent women from seeking treatment until their addiction has progressed and the risks to both maternal health and fetal development have increased. Addiction during pregnancy is a medical condition that often requires careful supervision, especially when withdrawal or medication changes are involved. With early intervention, comprehensive addiction treatment, and ongoing medical and behavioral health support, I’ve seen mothers begin recovery safely while giving themselves and their babies the best possible opportunity for a healthier future.”

— Taylor Brown, CRADC

The Risks of Substance Use During Pregnancy

Drinking while pregnant does far more than jeopardize your immediate health. It affects the development, intelligence, and overall well-being of the child for the remainder of his or her lifetime. When you are pregnant, you share with your unborn baby whatever alcohol you consume as it passes through the placenta. There is no “safe” drinking, not even a glass of wine or a beer.

Alcohol will damage your baby at any stage of the pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. During the first trimester, alcohol can result in facial defects and other birth defects. After childbirth, alcohol also stands a chance of being transmitted through the mother’s milk, potentially damaging your baby further.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking alcohol while pregnant can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or a cluster of lifelong conditions known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs cause physical, behavioral, and learning issues that persist throughout life.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most serious manifestation and has characteristic facial features, growth issues, and brain damage.

Signs and Symptoms of FASDs

Children with FASDs may experience a combination of the following:

Overcoming Stigma

Many expectant mothers struggle in silence because they fear judgment, legal repercussions, or the loss of their child. It is important to remember that substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failing. Seeking addiction treatment for pregnant women is the most compassionate step you can take. Early intervention is not about shame; it is about empowerment. By addressing these challenges now, you are actively choosing a safer path for your baby, proving that you have the strength to rewrite the story of your pregnancy and your recovery.

Drug Abuse During Pregnancy

The effects of drug use on the unborn baby can be severe and long-lasting. Any drug, whether prescription or illegal, has the potential to harm the developing fetus. Remember, anything you take passes into your bloodstream and directly to your baby.

Why Holistic Care Matters for You and Your Baby

Recovery is more than just stopping the use of substances; it is about rebuilding your entire foundation. Holistic care acknowledges that addiction during pregnancy affects your mind, body, and spirit. This approach integrates nutritional support, stress reduction, and physical wellness to ensure your body is strong enough to carry your baby to term while navigating the difficult emotions that often accompany recovery.

What Drugs Can You Take While Pregnant?

It depends on medical necessity and proper supervision. If you are taking a prescription medication and become pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your healthcare provider immediately. If the doctor advises you to continue taking the medication, you must take it exactly as prescribed. Misusing prescription medications can cause great harm to the fetus.

Prescription Drugs and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Using opioids during pregnancy can pose risks to the mother and baby, so seeking guidance from healthcare professionals is crucial for safety and well-being. CDC reports higher death rates for pregnant women using opioids and increased risks for infants, including prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), where infants withdraw from in utero exposure.

Symptoms of NAS typically appear 48 to 72 hours after birth. NAS infants can be irritable, have gastrointestinal disturbances, and experience temperature regulation problems. 55% to 94% of infants who are born after maternal exposure to opioids develop withdrawal, and some are treated for 16.9 days.

A Growing Crisis

The prevalence of this problem has increased exponentially over the last decade. From 1999 to 2014, opioid use disorder in pregnant women rose fourfold, from 1.5 to 6.5 per 1,000 births. In more recent trends, from 2010 to 2017, maternal opioid diagnoses rose 130% (from 3.5 to 8.2 per 1,000 births), and NAS cases increased 83% (from 4.0 to 7.3 per 1,000 hospital births).

Signs of Progress

Although this crisis affects families nationwide, not all states are waiting. Some states are getting ahead. Maine is one of them, with a staggering decrease of nearly half, from 35.3 to 18.8 per 1,000 births, in maternal opioid use disorder from 2016 to 2022.

Illegal Drug Use During Pregnancy

Using illegal substances while pregnant poses significant risks to both mother and baby. Some of the most commonly used illegal drugs include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and ecstasy.

If you use illegal drugs while pregnant, your baby has a higher risk of:

• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Smaller-than-normal head size
• Birth defects, including heart defects
• Withdrawal symptoms after birth
• Learning and behavior problems
• Slower-than-normal growth
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Illicit drug use in pregnancy damages fetal brain development, reduces IQ, and produces lifelong cognitive impairment. It is associated with cardiac and urinary tract abnormalities and fetal stroke.

Needle injection drug use increases the infant’s risk of infection (hepatitis C, HIV, Zika) and the mother’s risk of health danger (heart disease, scarring, abscesses, blood clots, vein collapse, overdose). Cocaine increases risks for premature membrane rupture, placental abruption, seizures, high blood pressure, miscarriage, and preterm labor.

The Impact of Smoking During Pregnancy

When a pregnant woman smokes, harmful toxins like nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other dangerous chemicals are transferred through the umbilical cord to the developing fetus. This exposure is devastating to a developing baby.

Risks During Pregnancy

These toxins can slow fetal growth and may lead to serious complications, including:

• Stillbirth
• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight
• Birth defects
• Respiratory problems.

Long-Term Effects on Children

Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are at a greater risk of developing obesity and are more vulnerable to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Additionally, the effects of nicotine exposure often extend into childhood development.

Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Even after birth, being around secondhand smoke can put children at risk for:

• Weaker lung development
• Respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia
• More severe asthma attacks
• Frequent ear infections

Managing Co-Occurring Mental Health Needs

Often, addiction is deeply intertwined with mental health struggles. We use a shared treatment model to address both simultaneously.

The Power of Gender-Specific Recovery

We recognize that women have unique biological, emotional, and social needs when recovering from addiction. A gender-specific environment allows you to discuss experiences, such as maternal fears, hormonal shifts, and relationship dynamics, without the pressures often found in co-ed settings. This safety allows for deeper, more honest healing.

Specialized Support Services at Midwest Recovery Centers

Midwest Recovery Centers provides comprehensive behavioral health support tailored to your specific needs. Our programs are built on clinical excellence and a long-term perspective:

Substance Use Disorder Track

• Medical Detox & Residential (First 30 days): This initial stage focuses on safety and stabilization. We provide supervised medical detox followed by evidence-based residential care using therapies like CBT, ACT, and DBT.

• Phase 1 (60 Days) & Phase 2 (9 Months): Following your first 30 days, clients transition into these extended-care phases. Housing is included in both Phase 1 and 2, which function essentially like a continuing inpatient environment, providing the structure needed for long-term sobriety.

Mental Health Programs

• Residential Mental Health: A 45-day program dedicated to primary mental health disorders, whether or not they are co-occurring with addiction.

• Outpatient Mental Health: Flexible services for those who do not require residential stays but need ongoing support.

Community IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)

• Designed for those who cannot commit to the long-term housing piece

• We offer specialized IOP for both Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health.

• Regardless of your track, we provide robust medical oversight and support, including:

• Medication management and psychiatric evaluations
• TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and LAI (Long Acting Injectables)
• PGX genetic testing
• Telemedicine options

Family Programming & Education

Recovery is a family affair. We offer education, counseling, and connection to ensure your support system knows how to help.

• Virtual Substance Use Disorder Family Programming: Thursdays | 6:30–8:00 PM (CST) (4-Part Rotation: Addiction Education, Enabling vs. Support, Boundaries, Family Recovery).

• Virtual Mental Health Family Program: 3rd Thursday of the month | 8:00 PM (CST).

• In-Person Education: “Supporting Their Next Steps” – 1st Wednesday of the month | 7:00 PM at 13340 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145.

Aftercare

Our aftercare program supports you through the first year of sobriety with personalized plans, regular counselor check-ins, and community support to build a stable life.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery Today

Your journey to recovery can begin right now. Whether you’re in your first trimester or nearing your due date, seeking help today can make all the difference for you and your baby’s future. At Midwest Recovery Centers, we recognize the unique challenges associated with addiction during pregnancy, and we’re here to provide the expert support, structured care, and individualized treatment you deserve.

Contact Midwest Recovery Centers today to learn how our specialized addiction treatment programs can help you achieve lasting recovery and give your baby the healthy beginning they deserve. Our compassionate team is here to support you throughout your journey with comprehensive detoxification services and evidence-based therapy approaches.

FAQs

How can substance use affect a baby during pregnancy?

Substance use may interfere with fetal growth and development. Depending on the substance, risks may include premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, learning difficulties, withdrawal after birth, or stillbirth.

Is any amount of alcohol safe during pregnancy?

No known amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Alcohol passes through the placenta and may affect fetal development at any stage, including before someone realizes they are pregnant.

Should a pregnant woman stop using drugs or alcohol immediately?

She should contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Suddenly stopping alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, or certain medications can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms and may require supervised medical care.

What is neonatal abstinence syndrome?

Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a group of withdrawal symptoms that may occur after a baby is exposed to opioids or certain other substances before birth. Symptoms may include irritability, feeding difficulties, tremors, and sleep problems.

What does addiction treatment during pregnancy include?

Treatment may include medical monitoring, withdrawal support, behavioral therapy, medication management, prenatal coordination, nutritional care, mental health treatment, family education, and continued recovery support.