How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women?
Heroin abuse
can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including
miscarriage and premature delivery. Children born to addicted
mothers are at greater risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome),
as well. Pregnant women should not be detoxified from opiates
because of the increased risk of spontaneous abortion or premature
delivery; rather, treatment with methadone is strongly advised.
Although infants born to mothers taking prescribed methadone
may show signs of physical dependence, they can be treated
easily and safely in the nursery. Research has demonstrated
also that the effects of in utero exposure to methadone are
relatively benign.
Why are heroin users at special risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C?
Heroin addicts are at
risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis C, and other infectious
diseases. Drug abusers may become infected with HIV, hepatitis
C, and other blood-borne pathogens through sharing and
reuse of syringes and injection paraphernalia that have
been used by infected individuals. They may also become
infected with HIV and, although less often, to hepatitis
C through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
Injection drug use has been a factor in an estimated one-third
of all HIV and more than half of all hepatitis C cases
in the Nation.
NIDA-funded research has found that drug abusers can
change the behaviors that put them at risk for contracting
HIV, through drug abuse treatment, prevention, and community-based
outreach programs. They can eliminate drug use, drug-related
risk behaviors such as needle sharing, unsafe sexual
practices, and, in turn, the risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS
and other infectious diseases. Drug abuse prevention
and treatment are highly effective in preventing the
spread of HIV. |
