Addiction can be an extremely debilitating disease that can negatively affect different aspects of someone’s life. Even for people who are in recovery, they may still need support and additional treatment to maintain their sobriety as time goes on. With that said, it is never too late to seek treatment, especially if you’re in the midst of a major life change like pregnancy. For a lot of people with addiction disorder, finding out that they’re pregnant can be the wake-up call that they need to seek rehabilitative care for the sake of their child.
Though it is a fairly new concept, many clinics across the country are now beginning to provide services specifically for pregnant women. You do not have to be afraid of getting the help you need as long as you check into the right rehab center. It is simply a matter of finding the right institution in your area that is a fit for your circumstances, whether that’s a Fort Myers drug rehab or similar facility. Here are a few reasons how rehabilitative care can help you have a healthy pregnancy:
- You get a specialized care plan designed by various experts. Since so much of rehabilitative care has to be tailored to the individual’s needs, your treatment plan will take your pregnancy into consideration. You can expect your treatment to be more holistic as it will prioritize both your overall well-being and the health of your child. Various professionals from different specialties will take part in creating this plan for you as you need both rehab services and prenatal care. In addition to medical detox and rehabilitative therapy, you will also get prenatal education and counseling as well as parental training.
- Therapy for substance abuse is intensive and comprehensive. In rehab treatment, there are therapeutic approaches that work better on pregnant women with substance use disorders. These include contingency management, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). As a result, these methods may be used for your therapy as they are targeted to your needs. You may begin with motivation interviewing so you can slowly work through your doubts about starting rehab and adjusting your behavior.
Then, CBT will help you gain an understanding of what leads you to drink or do drugs and how you can break those old habits and replace them with new ones. Lastly, contingency management uses a reward system to reinforce good behavior like abstaining from alcohol or drug use. Aside from these, you may also have assessments and therapy for any co-occurring disorders as part of your treatment.
- Your family and friends can be involved in your treatment. For many people in rehab, knowing that their loved ones will be participating can hasten their recovery. After all, your friends and family are a part of your support system and can continue helping you stay motivated after your stay at rehab and when your child is born. So in addition to individual and group therapy, you can also attend therapy sessions with your loved ones as well if they’re undergoing something similar.
- Many plans include 12-step programming. If you are familiar with AA’s 12 principles, then you will be happy to find out that these programs will be a part of your treatment plan. It continues to be a leading recovery program used by rehab clinics across the country because it is one of the most effective, even for pregnant women. This is to ensure that you get the best level of support possible as you begin your life as a parent and as someone recovering from substance use disorder who strives to stay sober.
- You receive parental training. Welcoming new life into the world is a great reason to stay sober, especially when you want to be the best parent you can be for them. In addition to getting rehabilitation services, your treatment plan may also include education on childcare and parenting. This training will give you something to focus on during your time in rehab and will help you feel more prepared and ready for the birth of your child.
- Special skills workshops are provided. Aside from therapy and parental training, you might also be given vocational training classes during your time in rehab. Depending on the facility, you will be taught how to do specialized tasks that can help expand your professional opportunities as an employee or as a business owner. These skills will allow you to support your family even after your time in rehab.
- You receive postpartum aftercare planning. Drug recovery is a lifelong commitment and will require constant work and mindfulness. After your time in rehabilitation, you also need aftercare planning to help you stay sober while being able to function in the real world as a new parent. Fortunately, the continuing care you receive upon the completion of your rehab treatment will focus on postpartum concerns and childcare. By sticking to your aftercare plan, you can ensure sustained recovery and sobriety.
If you are seeking rehabilitation for substance abuse during your pregnancy, it is important to find a facility that will give you and your baby the best chance at living a fulfilling and sober life. By seeking comprehensive treatment in a supportive environment, you can begin your journey as a parent with newfound health and continued sobriety.
