When a baby is in utero, drugs that the mother takes can pass through the placenta and reach the developing fetus. The placenta does not care if the drugs are legal, illegal, in large doses or small doses. It just filters whatever the mother ingests and passes most of it onto the baby. Some people may assume that if they are taking a drug approved by doctors that it can’t cause harm to them or their unborn child. This is a false assumption and it is important that all medications and supplements are doctor approved before a woman takes them during her pregnancy.

For many prescription drug addicts who get pregnant, there may be a false sense of security that because they aren’t using street drugs there is some margin of safety in their addiction, but hospitals across the nation are starting to see a surge in babies born addicted to their mothers’ prescription medications. The newborns must then go through withdrawals from the narcotics, a painful process known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Opioid medications such as Oxycodone, Percocet, and Vicodin are some of the most difficult for babies to withdraw from in their first days of life – and the most commonly seen addictions in newborns.

Dramatic Increases in Prescription Drug Addicted Babies in Tennessee

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that between 55 percent and 94 percent of children exposed to addictive prescription drugs during pregnancy undergo obvious withdrawals. Tennessee is one of the states hardest hit by the prescription drug epidemic. In fact, one facility, the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, reports that almost 50 percent of all the babies in their neonatal intensive care unit undergo intense withdrawal symptoms from prescription drugs. These symptoms include:

· Constant high pitched crying

· Low threshold for agitation

· Sensitivity to lights and sounds

· Clenched muscles

· Seizures

Tennessee Foster Care System Flooded with Drug Exposed Babies

The prescription drug problem in Tennessee is accelerating at such a rapid rate that between 2010 and 2011 the number of babies entering the world facing NAS increased two-fold. This is causing issues for the state’s social workers that must decide which babies to remove from their biological parents and who can safely care for them. With the doubling of NAS cases in one year, it is no wonder the number of kids in foster care has also increased by 50 percent. Past the immediate worry of proper love and care during infancy, doctors worry about the long-term ramifications for these babies as they grow and may possibly face learning, developmental, and behavior challenges as a result of exposure to prescription drugs before birth.

What actions do you think could reduce the number of babies exposed to addictive medications during pregnancy? All your ideas and opinions are welcome below.

With five years of sobriety under her belt, the former Miss USA Tara Conner is now talking about the time she spent in drug rehab, according to PalmBeachPost.com. Six years ago, Conner was crowned Miss USA in 2006, but almost lost her title when her addiction became apparent. Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss USA pageant, told her she needed to get help – or she would lose her crown.

Says Conner about rehab: “I learned so much there. They gave me the tools to get out of rehab and live my life and live it with dignity and grace. It’s been an amazing journey.”

Getting High – and Getting Well – in Front of Cameras

Conner’s trip to rehab was far from the public eye. Because it happened so soon after her crowning, her addiction and rehab experience were all over the media but, according to Conner, that was a good thing: “It was a huge public controversy, and it was the best thing that ever could have happened to me because it held me accountable. We all have an opportunity where we get a moment of clarity and we have an option to make a decision. That was mine.”

Conner’s Alcohol History

Conner began drinking at 14 but she says few people knew about it. She stayed in school, continued on the pageant circuit and eventually won the Miss USA title –- all while living with an active dependence upon alcohol. No matter what else happened in her life or what she managed to accomplish, she couldn’t escape her alcohol issues. Even now, she says that fighting off alcoholism is a daily struggle.

Said Conner: “The disease never goes away. You’re always an alcoholic or an addict. It definitely depends on your spiritual maintenance, taking care of yourself and doing something for your sobriety every day.”

Alcoholism Is a Family Problem

Conner doesn’t just talk about the effects of drug and alcohol dependence on the addict. Her focus in the talks she gives now is a bit larger; she says that addiction is a family disease. When she talks about her experience with drugs and alcohol, she hopes that it will encourage those living with the problem to get help but also, she hopes that family members of addicts will take heart and move toward a more healthy future for the entire family.

Conner says: “Everyone needs help when they’re dealing with an alcoholic. We’re just like tornadoes that come in and destroy everything.”

If you or someone you care about is living with alcoholism, getting the help necessary to heal can be the start of a brand new life. Contact us today for more information about our woman-centered alcohol and drug rehab program here at The Orchid.

The person you date likely influences the movies you watch, the restaurants you go to, and – occasionally – the clothes you wear. But did you know it could also affect how much you drink and when? A new study from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, says that is indeed the case.

For about a month, the study followed more than 200 unmarried, straight couples in their 20s who had been dating for at least three months and saw each other at least five days out of the week. They soon found that it was possible to predict one half of the couple’s binge drinking behavior based on the binge drinking choices of the other half of the couple.

Gender Differences?

Previous, similar studies that followed married couples showed that men had more of an effect on the women, but in this study, gender didn’t matter. In some cases, the women were more influential over their male partners and in others, the men were more influential over their female partners, according to researcher Aislin Mushquash.

Binge drinking in general is no longer a gender issue, either. Studies performed back in the 1980s revealed that there were five male binge drinkers for every one female binge drinker in the United States. By 2002, the numbers had changed considerably with 2.5 male binge drinkers for every female binge drinker, according to a study done by Shelly Greenfield.

Problems Associated With Increased Binge Drinking Among Women

Though binge drinking is problematic for everyone, it is even more dangerous for women to take up the habit. Typically, women’s bodies don’t process alcohol as quickly or as efficiently as men do, which is why binge drinking is defined as more than five drinks in a sitting for men but women need only drink four drinks at a time to earn the title. Women also become drunk more quickly by drinking less, are more prone to develop cirrhosis of the liver, have a more difficult time metabolizing alcohol, and are more likely to die in an alcohol-related accident, according to numerous different studies. They are also at an increased risk of being victim to an attack while under the influence.

Is Binge Drinking an Issue for You?

If you or someone you care about binge drinks regularly, don’t underestimate the difficulties that can result. Women should seek treatment immediately, and here at The Orchid, we’re here to help. Contact us today.

Darryl Graves’ was a cocaine dealer in Lynchburg, Virginia, and a convicted felon, so when he decided to fire a weapon in his home, he ended up with multiple firearms charges as a result, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a weapon in an occupied building, and attempted malicious wounding. The alleged intended victim of that discharged weapon? His wife.

Cocaine Addiction and Violence

The court records say that Graves shot in the direction of his wife in the home that they shared in Lynchburg, Virginia. This one act earned him a total of 10 years with eight suspended for the shooting charges and then two years for having the weapon at all. But how did he get here in the first place?

Graves’s attorney says that cocaine addiction was the impetus for the latest issue. Graves was convicted for selling cocaine in 1996 and 2002 and though he received jail sentences for each of them, he still continued to abuse and sell cocaine after he was released. It’s well known that one of the effects of cocaine abuse and long-term addiction is irritability, angry reactions, and violent outbursts – and for Graves, it may have been part of the reason that he was unable to handle issues with his wife in a calmer, more collected manner.

Cocaine Addiction and Domestic Violence

Graves’ attorney also explained to the court that Graves’ cocaine addiction may have been due in part to his upbringing. He was raised in a home with both domestic violence and substance abuse, two factors that may have contributed to the development of those issues in his adult life. Selling the drug, according to his lawyer, is what he had to do to support his habit.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Graves’ attorney asked the judge to make the sentences concurrent, saying that with time to get the right treatment and to get away from the bad influences that were keeping him in his current lifestyle, he could make changes that would last and no longer be a problem for the court - or his wife. The request was not granted, however, and Graves will be expected to serve each of his sentences one after the other, no matter when or if he gets the treatment he needs.

If you are abusing cocaine regularly and you, too, suffered a difficult childhood, it’s important that you receive addiction treatment to help you deal with both the addiction and the early trauma that you experienced. Without treatment for both, legal problems, health problems, and more become a risk. Call us now to learn about the different programs we offer for women fighting cocaine addiction here at The Orchid.

Mindy McCready lost custody of her five-year-old son to her mother due to issues with illicit substance abuse, according to CNN. However, she made headlines recently when she took her small son from her mother’s Florida home and fled, refusing to return him for days and asking that he be returned to her custody because she feared for his safety with her mother.

Though the judge in the case made no decision about who should have custody of the child (the hearing was continued), it will be up to the judge whether or not McCready’s son is returned to his grandmother, given to his mother, or put into foster care. An emergency pickup order was given for McCready’s son and mother and child were found hiding in a closet a few days later; McCready’s son was then taken into custody by the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services.

McCready’s mother and stepfather have legal custody of her son, but she has visitation rights. Her very public struggle with addiction played a huge part in that development; the country singer took part in the 2009 season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1.

Fighting Addiction and for Custody

Though many women struggle with issues of child custody and volatile family relationships after drug addiction, it’s not an easy road to travel. The emotional stress of being without a child, the guilt involved with losing them in the first place, and the physical issues that come with drug addiction detox and treatment can make it seem like an overwhelming experience. The good news is that, though many women will fight the battle with addiction, many will win. The challenge then becomes proving to the courts that you are ready to regain custody of children who were placed elsewhere during your treatment – again, not a simple task, but one that can be managed with the right perseverance.

Staying Focused

Just like in the achievement of any goal, both drug addiction and navigating through the legal system and child protective services takes focus and commitment. There will be setbacks and surprise obstacles, as well as unexpected twists and turns – some positive, some negative – throughout both experiences. Staying focused on the goal of peace in recovery with your family around you is the only thing that will help you to get to the other side of the experience successfully.

If you would like to start your road to recovery with a comprehensive drug rehab program here at The Orchid, contact us today.