Methadone is a synthetic opioid drug used to overcome addiction to semi-synthetic opioids and heroin. This drug balances the chemicals in the brain and body while reducing cravings and physically painful withdrawal symptoms. The objective behind methadone maintenance is to prevent high-risk drug-seeking behaviors while making vast improvements to an individual's health, safety and quality of life. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, methadone maintenance and addiction recovery is a slow, lengthy process that improves physical and mental health of addicts while decreasing the spread of disease through risky sexual activity and prostitution as well as the sharing of needles in injected street drugs.
Methadone Dependence
The fetus developing in the mother that is receiving methadone maintenance is born dependent on the drug. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that while methadone is indeed a drug, the benefits of keeping a mother on methadone rather than heroin outweighs the potential risks. Women receiving treatment are also less likely to become involved in higher-risk behaviors while being satiated with methadone. Heroin would not have the same effects while on methadone maintenance, making the process of obtaining the drug far less appealing. The infant will be born addicted, but the treating physician will take necessary steps toward treating the withdrawal symptoms after the child is born.
Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal phase will occur shortly after the fetus stops receiving methadone from its mother. If the mother quits taking methadone abruptly, the fetus will experience painful physical symptoms and shock, which could jeopardize the pregnancy. According to the Royal Women's Hospital of Victoria Australia, an abrupt withdrawal from methadone can result in miscarriage, premature labor and fetal death. It is recommended that the methadone-dependent mother remain on maintenance treatment throughout the duration of her pregnancy for this reason, since the addiction in the infant would be addressed after a healthy delivery.
Health Complications
Methadone maintenance on the unborn fetus is considerably less harmful than being born to a mother addicted to heroin. However, Drug Information Online suggests that children born to methadone-dependent mothers exhibit an increased risk for mortality, sudden infant death syndrome, jaundice and thrombocytosis. In addition, there is a correlation between children exposed to methadone in utero and low IQ scores, aggression and other behavioral problems by the time they reach school age. Early results from animal studies also indicate a possible link between problematic reproductive organs and poor development of sexual organs.
