Quitting opiates while pregnant

[Strawberrygurle]

Hi there, I am a 30 year struggling with dilaudid addiction. I use intravenously for the last 6-7 months. I just found out I'm pregnant, probably over 12 weeks because I miss diagnosed morning sickness,which ended about 2-3 weeks ago. I have cut down usage from at least 100 mg to approximate 30. I usually quit with Valium and t3's. I am scared I will hurt the baby. I have been clean from all other substances for over 6 mths. I gave my first child 3 yrs old, to my parents during an abusive relationship, and myparents held me responsible and didnt let me see my daughter. So, I went back to using, making everything worse. My life is totally 180 now, mortgage, job, vehicle, loving stable environment but am frightened to death I'll have this baby taken from me. What do I do?

[Strawberrygurle]

Hi there, thanks for your time with me. So, what about quitting cold turkey? That's was npmy plan for tomorrow. I have yet to see a dr. Since I figuereed out I was pregnant because I wanted to be totally drug free.
I spent over a year in a rehab facility and although I learned a lot I even used while in there ( and went to extreme lengths to give clean pee tests, I.e, held condoms full of friends clean pee inside me). I came out worse them when I went in. I finally quit all the other drugs because, in my heart, I'm done. Vie wasted too much of my life being sick and tired and missing out on life that I'm done with it. My pill use makes me a functioning addict I guess you'd call it.
So I guess my urgent question is can I quit pills cold turkey? What kind of harm is happening. To my baby through all this? Developmental issues? Brain damage? ADHD? What am I looking at here? Thanks for you're advice, strawberry....

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

There are options, but you must look at the situation honestly.  On one hand you are using opioids intravenously- but you describe yourself as having a 'stable, loving environment.'  

Every time you shoot up, you risk hypoxemia-- low blood oxygen level-- that could kill the fetus.  The opioids themselves are not toxic, although as stated above, benzos ARE toxic to the fetus.  You must get help-- significant help.  If you do the right things, your doc will become your advocate.  If you keep using, you will find fewer and fewer rational people who would support the idea of you raising an infant.

Options include sober recovery-- which given a history as you describe would almost certainly require residential treatment followed by extended care in a halfway house.  Other options include maintenance with methadone or buprenorphine.  Methadone has been the 'standard of care' for pregnant opioid addicts, but in the past few years a number of studies suggest that buprenorphine is at least as safe, and may cause less neonatal withdrawal than methadone.

Get help.  Things are not stable.  But if you let go and ask for help, you will find it-- probably not the way you want it (it never is the way that the addicted person wants it!), but you need to let go and follow the direction of others who know how to help you.

[Strawberrygurle]

Hi there, thanks for your comment. You said you also used early in your pregnancy, how was the health of your baby? I believe I'm ~3 mths prego now, I have a dr appt. This Friday. I'm so deathly afraid of losing my child (again), I already feel like a mother with no baby. I just want to be a mom, and of course a good one. How did you do it?
Again, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge with me... Talk soon, Becky

[AnnieWilson]

Hi there,

No matter how difficult it sounds, you HAVE TO tell your doctor ASAP about your addiction. I also abused when I was early in my pregnancy with my first child. I told my doctor and she was great!! All the docs want is for you to be honest so they can care for you and the baby the best they can!! And they can't help if they don't know what the issue is. Also, they will likely drug test you during your appointments. And it is 10000% better to be upfront and honest than to get caught with drugs in your system. Trust me, I know from personal experience!!

You likely will NOT have this baby taken away if you are honest and ask for help. You CAN get this baby taken away if you are not honest about your addiction.

Also, you can hurt your baby by withdrawing on your own without doctors supervision and direction!! You could even miscarry. Taking Valium (or any drug that is a benzodiazipine) can be very harmful during pregnancy!! Do NOT take ANY.

Do the right thing for your kids - tell your doctor as soon as possible. Call and tell them you need an appt the same day to speak with your doctor about a very personal issue. You do not have to tell the scheduler about the addiction. Just be vague, or tell him/her that it's of the utmost importance you see your doctor asap.

Best of luck! Please keep us updated!