Pregnant Women, Methamphetamine Addiction: More Seeking Help

Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia warns that according to research, the number of methamphetamine addicted pregnant women tripled in the last 12 years.

"New research from the University of Chicago indicates that the number of pregnant women seeking treatment for methamphetamine use tripled between 1994 to 2006, HealthDay News reported May 21," commented Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. "This is a frightening trend, as methamphetamine is extremely toxic to not only the mother but to the un-born baby. These women need a drug rehab that will get them ready to take care of themselves and their child in the years to come."

Researcher Mishka Terplan and colleagues from the University of Chicago analyzed data from federally funded treatment centers and found that methamphetamine use accounted for 8 percent of all admissions to drug treatment centers in 1994, but increased to 24 percent in 2006.

The prevalence of methamphetamine users was higher among pregnant women than among men or for nonpregnant women, the researchers found. Most of treatment admissions for pregnant women took place in the western United States, and among white women and unemployed women.

"Most women decrease or stop using during pregnancy," said Terplan, "but they're aware of the stigma associated with abuse behavior and they may be reluctant to seek care. They may also have concerns about losing their children."

The effects of methamphetamine use on fetal development are unclear, according to researchers. Some studies indicate that babies born to mothers using methamphetamine are smaller, Terplan said. One study shows that methamphetamine exposure may lead to microscopic structural brain changes in the children. However, it is not clear if there are any long-term effects from these changes.

The findings were published in the June 2009 issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

*Source: Join Together

Narconon of Georgia is a non-traditional drug abuse treatment program which was founded in 1967 whose mission also includes drug education and working with children.  The Narconon  program provides body detoxification through a sauna and exercise program that helps eliminate or reduce cravings.  Then the client learns those life skills essential to success in life and the ability to stay clean.
 
For more information on effective drug rehab, contact us at 1-877-413-3073.

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