Expectant mothers who drink alcohol during their pregnancy put their babies at risk of developing fetal alcohol syndrome, an irreversible condition that can cause physical differences and intellectual or cognitive disabilities that may make it difficult to manage daily life.
Signs of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Adults
Fetal alcohol syndrome’s severity occurs on a continuum based on the amount of alcohol pregnant people consume throughout their pregnancy. The effects of this condition in adults can vary, which is why it can be challenging to diagnose. However, even mild symptoms can bring about challenges such as trouble learning and communicating. Without a diagnosis of this specific problem, adults with less identifiable cases of fetal alcohol syndrome may spend years wondering why they struggle in some areas.
Physical traits that are more pronounced in childhood, such as low body weight and a smaller-than-average head size, could become less noticeable after someone with fetal alcohol syndrome goes through puberty and reaches their adult height and appearance. Issues that could persist into adulthood include:
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Sleep difficulties
- Hypersensitivity to stimuli
- Impaired motor skills
- Problems with hyperactivity, attention, aggression, impulsivity and coordination
- Difficulty communicating, socializing and learning
- Mental and behavioral health problems
- Substance use disorders
- Poor academic achievement and school failure
- Trouble finding and keeping a good job
- Inability to live independently
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Treatment for Adults
Though fetal alcohol syndrome has no known cure, it is treatable, and often responds well to a combination of medications and therapy. A therapist who specializes in this condition can help adults living with it improve their self-esteem and learn to set healthy boundaries.
Working with a therapist can also be valuable for adults who still have unprocessed trauma, grief and loss from growing up in a household impacted by alcohol abuse. A trained counselor can encourage people living with learning or developmental disabilities to identify their strengths, instead of focusing on the things they can’t do.
Women’s-Only Rehab in Laguna Beach
While some people mistakenly believe drinking in moderation – like occasionally having a small glass of wine – isn’t problematic in the third trimester, it is not safe to consume any amount of alcohol during pregnancy if you want to deliver a healthy baby.
If you are planning to get pregnant and your previous attempts to quit drinking have not been successful, professional treatment can help you get sober and give you the tools to lead an alcohol-free lifestyle. You can increase your chances of carrying a child to full term and being a present parent for them by enrolling in a women’s-only recovery program.
When seeking help for alcohol use disorder, you have many options. Consider how you could benefit from a single-gender environment that allows you to explore the unique issues and challenges facing women in addiction recovery. Our high-quality programming will teach you the healthy coping mechanisms and life skills necessary to rebuild damaged relationships. To learn more about what we offer, start your journey by contacting us today.
