Sunday, March 20, 2016

Support Groups for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

This blog post contains some support groups and community resources for individuals or families affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Click the titles of each organization/group to access their website!
For anyone with an infant affected by NAS:
This organization located in Washington State provides short-term care for infants affected by NAS who require intermediate medical attention but are not ready to go home without medical supervision yet. Although these infants are no longer in need of intensive care in a NICU environment, they can still have dangerous symptoms that parents may not be equipped to handle. For parents, adjusting to caring for an infant is hard enough with out a NAS condition, so this program allows them to receive further support with this difficult change in their lives.

For parents of infants with NAS seeking treatment for substance abuse:
Methadone treatment centers
Women who abuse substances and have recently found out they are pregnant are not advised to "quit cold-turkey" because this is medically dangerous not only for the mother but also for the fetus. Withdrawal symptoms cannot be treated in unborn babies. An alternative for soon-to-be mothers seeking treatment is a methadone treatment program that weans the participant off of their opioid of choice with methadone which is a drug that is easier to eventually stop using. This site has links to methadone treatment centers by state. Don't wait, start now in finding treatment for yourself and your future child!
This website is a search engine for finding certified treatment centers for drug or alcohol abuse. Parents of children already diagnosed with NAS who want to change their lifestyle can search here for treatment programs. This step is extremely important in finding support going forward in your life and the life of your child. 


For adoptive parents of infants with NAS:
Adoptive parent support groups
New parents who have adopted a NAS-affected infant may find it challenging to accept their child's condition, or the situations that lead to it. Adoptive parent groups are incredible resources for adoptive parents to come together and share their experiences. Social events, encouragement, advice and support are often available in groups like these. Search with this website's engine to find a local adoptive parent group that fits your needs!

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