Substance abuse and teen pregnancy can be a deadly combination.
Unequipped with the proper tools for getting clean, a pregnant teenager can very easily put her life and that of the unborn child, at risk.
Understanding how drug abuse affects teen pregnancy is vital to parents and teens who struggle with this issue, as well as those who could potentially experience this kind of a situation.
The First Step—Seek Medical Attention Right Away
If you are a substance abusing teenager and learn that you are pregnant, seek medical attention right away. Talk to your parents or someone you trust and get help immediately.
If you are in a situation where you are drug-dependent to the point where withdrawal symptoms set in after a while, it is extremely important that you seek the help of medical professionals. Don’t try the “cold-turkey” method, because doing so could be fatal to your baby.
There are medical procedures that can be applied to avoid violent or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms which could transfer to and endanger an unborn child.
If you are not in an addicted situation but occasionally abuse drugs, it is vitally important that you stop abusing drugs or drinking alcohol right away. Failure to do so could result in irreversible damage to the baby, or loss of life altogether.
Understanding The Science Behind Drug Abuse And Pregnancy
The science behind how drug abuse affects teen pregnancy is important to know. Understanding these facts might actually help you to make the decision to stop abusing drugs and stick to this decision.
Remarkably, a pregnant teenager who abuses drugs or alcohol while pregnant could actually potentially cause their unborn child to become addicted to these substances as well. Thousands of babies are born each year in the United States with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)—a condition where newborns display withdrawal symptoms of drugs the mother continued to consume during pregnancy.
Some of the drugs that can cause NAS in an unborn baby are:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Prescription drugs
- Methamphetamines
(and more)
Babies born with NAS often are characterized by a number of distinct symptoms and manifestations, most of which are specific to the drug abuse situation. Some of the NAS symptoms babies experience are:
- No appetite (it is difficult getting the baby to eat)
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Piercing and insatiable crying
- Seizures
- Fever
- Blotchy skin
- Shallow or rapid breathing patterns
- Physical deformities or developmental problems
Consider the size and vulnerability of an unborn child. Withdrawal symptoms and physical problems transfer from the pregnant woman to the baby and can have severe, life-threatening effects.
Even if you are not “addicted” to drugs, continued occasional or recreational abuse of marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, etc., could produce birth defects, low birth weight and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Consider these important facts about how substance abuse affects teen pregnancy before deciding to continue using.
Drug Rehab For Teens
Drug rehab programs do exist which are specially designed for teens and the particular issues a young substance abuser faces—peer 
pressure, choosing the right friends, success on a career path, building family relationships, school and education, etc.
Many of these facilities encourage family involvement and even incorporate teenage motherhood into the program’s educational framework. Pregnancy and becoming a mother is a very large lifestyle change.
If you are in a substance abuse situation of any kind and become pregnant, seek help right away from medical and addiction specialists who can help you do the right thing for yourself and your baby.