2. What is NAS?
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group
of problems that occur in a newborn who was
exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs
while in the mother's womb.
Symptoms
● Convulsions ● Weight loss
● Inability to sleep ● Speech disorders
● Tremors ● Language disorders
● General irritability ● Perceptual problems
● Perpetual high-pitched crying ● Sensory sensitivity
● Restlessness ● Low attention spans
● Vomiting ● Easily distracted
● Diarrhea (Householder, Burns,
Chasnoff, and Hatcher)
3. Hospital Stay
The average baby withdrawing Percentage of Infants with Mothers
from painkillers is expected to Addicted to Drugs Born with NAS
stay in the neonatal intensive care
unit for sixteen days (Smith).
Infants are given medication to
decrease their symptoms and
wean them off the harmful drugs
in their system.
Born with NAS
Born without NAS
They are given around the clock
care by doctors, nurses and (Smith)
volunteers.
Mothers are invited to visit, but
are not allowed to stay past
visiting hours.
4. Infant Attachment Period
Infant attachment refers to the close emotional
bond between an infant and a caregiver.
After birth, a newborn immediately attempts to
stimulate the caregiver to respond. The responses
create a guide for what the infant can expect
throughout it's life (King).
Newborns with NAS require more soothing and
require a stronger bond with their caregiver.
Infant attachment provides an important
foundation for later development. The mother
should have as many opportunities as possible to
strengthen the bond and to culminate attachment
necessary for the infant to thrive.
5. Drug Abuse & Child Abuse
In a study completed in 1995, 76.2% of mothers who had been
addicted to drugs were involved in substantiated abuse or
neglect cases against them.
Children of mothers who were addicted to drugs at the time of
childbirth were more likely than the general population to encounter
abuse and/or neglect (Jaudes, Ekwo, and Voorhis).
6. Integrated Residential Rehab
● An integrated residential rehabilitation
center provides addicts with full time
supervision, support, and healthcare.
● On site parenting classes are mandatory
and provide insight into alternative outlets
for anger, ways to curb stress, and more.
● Research has indicated that integrated rehab
programs for mothers with substance abuse could
minimize the risk of child maltreatment (Jaudes,
Kienberger, Ekwo, and Van Voorhis).
7. In Conclusion
Following delivery, mothers and infants born with NAS should be
transported to a residential integrated rehab. The rehab will provide
mother and infant plentiful bonding time, parenting classes, health
services, and more. Mandatory rehab will promote a healthier lifestyle
to families who need support during a difficult transition.
8. Works Cited
Householder, Joanne, William Burns, I. Chasnoff, and Roger Hatcher. “Infants Born to Narcotic
Addicted Mothers.” Psychological Bulletin. 92.2 (1982): 453-68. Print.
This article provides statistics related to the complications of narcotic addiction in mothers.
There is great detail about the symptoms incurred in an infant going through narcotic withdrawal
related to a mother's addiction. The article focuses mainly on prenatal and postnatal symptoms
and does not go into depth about long-term symptoms. The statistics and facts provided by this
article contributed greatly to this research paper.
Jaudes, Paula Kienberger, Edem Ekwo, and John Van Voorhis. “Association of drug abuse and child
abuse.” Child Abuse and Neglect. 19.9 (1995): 1065. Web.
This article contained the results of a research study that found a link between drug abuse in
mothers and a higher than expected rate of abuse and neglect. The results showed that
children whose mothers are addicted to drugs have an increased chance of being abused or
neglected than children of parents whose mothers are not addicted to drugs.
9. Works Cited
King, Laura A. The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 293-
94. Print.
This textbook generalizes the pivotal attachment period that occurs between an infant and their
caregiver. This information was important in explaining the importance of mother-infant bonding in
months following birth.
Niccols, Alison, Karen Milligan, Wendy Sword, Lehana Thabane, Joanna Henderson, and Ainsley Smith.
“Integrated programs for mothers with substance abuse issues: A systematic review of studies reporting
on parenting outcomes.” Harm Reduction Journal. 9.14 (2012): n. pag. Web.
This article explained the process of an integrated rehab and suggested possible advantages for mothers
with substance abuse issues. Research in this article points to an increase in parenting skills for mothers
involved in an integrated rehab before or shortly after the birth of their child.
Smith, Stephanie. “ One baby per hour born already in withdrawal.” CNN. Web. 30 April 2012.
This editorial shows that the number of infants born with NAS is increasing yearly. It shows that the
majority of infants born with NAS are on Medicaid programs and it explains the time of the hospital stays
for NAS children.
