What Happens to Babies Addicted to Drugs?
Question by Nonny: What happens to babies addicted to drugs?
Would doctors wean the baby off the drugs or does the baby have to quit “cold turkey”? It seems like it would be easier for the baby to wean it off but I can’t imagine giving drugs to a newborn.
[and in case it makes a difference, alcohol is a drug and is included in my question.]
Best answer:
Answer by justgetitright
Babies that are born with drug addictions are normally treated with ‘methadone’ not given more of the drug and weaned off. Babies born to alcoholics, hmm, I do not recall ever hearing about a baby being an born as an alcoholic but I have heard of babies that are born with FAS or ‘fetal alcohol syndrome’
these babies are at risk of poor health.
Alcohol deprives the baby oxygen that is delivered through the mothers blood, drugs such as heroine or crack will pass on the addiction.
Nicotine is also a drug and it too can cause lower oxygen levels for the baby.
Answer by LinLn
When babies are born addicted to drugs, they immediately begin withdraw. They suffer and are in great pain. It’s a pitiful thing to watch as this helpless tiny persons convulse and cry. Both drug and alcohol addiction are similar. Drug addicted babies require intense medical attention. In severe cases, the babies are given tranquilizing drugs so they can rest and eat. These babies often have learning disabilities and emotional issues as they grow. Cognitive skills are greatly impared. Because the lifestyle of the mothers giving birth to drug addicted babies is questionable, the child may not receive proper care and may have been exposed to a number of other deseases (Hep C, Aids, etc.) the mother was exposed to prior to birth. These babies have an increased instance of SIDs, retardation, impared social skills, and slow growth rates, to name a few problems.
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