Florida has its fair share of the “war against drugs.” From opioids to the rise of meth and cocaine comes repercussions that may be irreversible for the forgotten—the unborn.
In the past decade, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has been a rising issue amongst pregnant women. Those women who use drugs during pregnancy, mostly opioids, may result in long-term consequences for an unborn child.
According to the National Institute on Drugs (NIDA):
“NAS or neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) may occur when a pregnant woman uses drugs such as opioids during pregnancy. A recent national study showed a fivefold increase in the incidence of NAS/NOWS between 2004 and 2014, from 1.5 cases per 1,000 hospital births to 8.0 cases per 1,000 hospital births. That is one baby born with NAS/NOWS every 15 minutes in the United States. During the same period, hospital costs for NAS/NOWSS births increased from $91 million to $563 million, after adjusting for inflation.”
Source: NIDA
Read on to find out more about Florida’s neonatal problem. Also, how to get help for drug abuse in Florida.
Florida’s Neonatal Problem: Opioids and Marijuana Top Trends
According to NIDA, “Florida reported 2,320 cases of NAS/NOWS in 2016 among Medicaid recipients. This was a more than 54 percent increase since 2012 when there were 1,506 cases of NAS/NOWS reported.”
Data shows by county and gender those effects by NAS in 2016.
Source: Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid Data Analytics, CY 2016
The demographics are extremely skewed when it pertains to those affected.
Source: Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid Data Analytics, CY 2016
It’s no secret that this is expensive and dangerous in the long-term. It’s also costly to both the individual and the government.
Source: Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid Data Analytics, CY 2016
This isn’t just about opioid abuse, as marijuana is also a drug of choice for some women during pregnancy, which may affect the unborn child.
According to the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA):
“In Florida, the rise in marijuana use is markedly outpacing the national average. Following a period of little change with rates fluctuating up and down between 2.1% and 5.2%, the percentage of pregnant women reporting use in the past 30 days has increased sharply to nearly 15%. Though research among pregnant women and marijuana-exposed neonates is limited, there is evidence to suggest that marijuana use may increase the risk of stillbirth and is associated with neurodevelopmental deficits in the infant.”
Below: Self-reported marijuana use among pregnant women, US and Florida, 2002-03 – 2017-18.
Source: FADAA
FADAA has recommendations to combat this problem:
“Evidence-based programs to prevent initiation of marijuana use should target women of childbearing age. Given the unknown safety of marijuana use during pregnancy, women who intend to become, or are already, pregnant should discontinue all marijuana use. In addition, THC passes from mother to baby through breastmilk; thus, cessation should continue post-partum. In spite of the widespread perception that marijuana is not addictive, healthcare providers should assess women of childbearing age and mothers for marijuana use disorder and refer to or offer treatment, if indicated.”
How to Get Help for Drug Abuse in Florida
Florida’s neonatal problem is just beginning. Drug abuse amongst women has already been on the rise, but it’s a concern that some women continue while pregnant, which has dire consequences long-term.
If you or someone you know is suffering from drug abuse, or any other drug addiction, seek professional help now.
Contact On Call Treatment FL, a South Florida drug rehab—available 24 Hours, 7 days a week, call us NOW 1-(855)-492-1515.