Introduction
Prescription drug addiction is becoming one of the big issues in our society!
There is something very dangerous about getting addicted to opioids or prescription drugs because of the availability. We are seeing cases of teens getting addicted to these drugs as they are getting access from sickness in a family. From teens to the elderly, the possibilities of getting access to these medicines are getting bigger, and so is the number of addicted patients.
Today we are going to talk about prescribed medicine addicted patients, which is not much talked about. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make it any less of a pressing issue than the others. Because it is no more about one life but a matter of two lives being in jeopardy. We are talking about the abuse of prescription drugs during and after pregnancy.
This is not only deadly for the soon to be, or nursing mother but also the newborn who is being subjected to these drugs when it can drastically affect their body.
What Is Prescription Drug Addiction
Some prescription drugs given to pregnant women after delivery, for their pain, can have opioids. An opioid is the main ingredient of any medicine which is used for pain relief, but since they are prescribed for such small diseases, it is difficult to get addicted.
However, there are reasons for which a woman can get addicted to prescription drugs. The most affected cases are those of mothers who are lactating. We will be discussing these causes shortly in the excerpt below.
But before that, if you have stumbled across this article, then there is a possibility that you are dealing with prescription addiction yourself, or you are trying to help someone. Well, if you are looking for a detoxification center for yourself or a close one, look no more and click https://www.infiniterecovery.com/drug-rehab-houston/.
Causes Of Prescription Drug Abuse After Pregnancy
There are a few pressing causes that a mother goes through, which should be discussed more often in mental health forums.
These are crucial reasons noted as the causes of addiction among pregnant and lactating mothers.
1. Anxiety Of Childbirth
Many mothers go through anxiety during childbirth. They are either anticipating the delivery or the entire turmoil their body will go through in these nine months.
Many mothers are scared of their changing bodies and excessive hormonal imbalance. Thus, if they do not have access to other addictive substances, then prescription medicines seem like the ‘safe’ option.
2. Low Pain Tolerance
People with less pain tolerance cannot always deal with the discomfort and complication that comes with pregnancy.
As a result, they are always running towards medicines that can help them escape a little. This is why prescription drug addiction is becoming such a common substance of abuse among some pregnant women.
3. Postpartum Depression
This is an issue that is so less talked about that it makes us quite furious. Why aren’t enough people talking about postpartum depression? Or are you judging them for coming out and calling them a bad mother?
This is one of the crucial causes which can make many new mothers detach from their newborns and experiment with not just prescription medicine but other things as well.
Postpartum depression is when a mother is unable to connect to their newly born from a maternal level, and this causes severe depression. First, they get anxious, and then they start to blame themselves, and eventually, it is an addiction that follows.
4. Previous History Of Substance Abuse
If the mother has a previous history of addiction, then there is a possibility that they might use prescription drugs as a substitute.
It all boils down to one thing; the mother starts thinking that since they are prescribed, they are not meant to cause any harm while then enjoying the mild euphoria and relief from pain and discomfort.
However, no matter how mild the prescription drugs are, they can never be a healthy substitute for other addictions, whether the mother is pregnant or lactating.
These drugs do increase the chances of stillbirth and sudden infant death.
5. History Of Mental Health
History of mental health is one of the root causes of addiction during and after pregnancy. During pregnancy, controlling the hormones is extremely difficult. Most ‘to be’ mothers are going through a difficult time now. Just imagine someone who is suffering from extreme mental health issues like depression or PTSD coping up with these hormones. This is why they abuse prescription medicines to minimize the internal chaos a little.
Health Hazards For The Mother & Child
There are a number of health hazards that can affect the baby and the mother when they are abusing these drugs. These are some of the reasons why you should stay away from consuming opioids and other prescription drugs in high amounts.
- It increases the chances of stillbirth.
- It also increases the chances of premature childbirth or rupture of the membranes inside the fetus.
- Miscarriages are also common for mothers who abuse drugs.
- One of the big ways it can affect the other is Uterine infections.
Effects On Lactating Mother
- Physical deficiencies in children.
- Sudden infant death at the age of one or more.
When you host your body for a newborn baby, you have to ensure that there isn’t any danger to that innocent life. You are not just responsible for yourself anymore; now you have someone who you need to take care of and strive to keep alive. If you are facing difficulties with withdrawal during pregnancy or other mental health issues, then definitely consult a therapist and look for professional help.
Take Care Of Yourself!
It is only when you take care of yourself that you will be able to take care of another life. Before deciding to carry a baby, ask yourself if you’re mentally ready. You can start taking therapy about your mental health issues if you want to become a parent soon. But, addiction is not a solution for anything.