Rehab for Pregnant Women
A new beginning starts for you and your baby here at Recovery Centers of America. Pregnant women receive priority admission consideration so that you and your child have immediate access to life saving care.
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Written by: Alexandra Talarico - Clinically Reviewed by: Jason Kirby
- Compliance Reviewed by: Marianne Birmingham
You Are Not Alone.
If you’re pregnant and struggling with addiction or mental health, you may be feeling fear, shame, and guilt. And the weight of all you are carrying can make it hard to ask for help, but it shouldn’t. Because underneath it all, you are also carrying love—the love that brought you here. Trust it.
- In a public healthcare system serving almost 15,000 pregnant patients, about 1 in 7 screened positive for substance use concerns. Aggregate data from a decade of National Surveys on Drug Use and Health show that between 5% and 23% of pregnant women reported using substance in the past month, illustrating the need for accessible treatment and support for expecting mothers.
- Mental health and addiction frequently co-occur. More than 30% of pregnant women in substance use treatment screen positive for moderate to severe depression, and over 40% show symptoms of postpartum depression, according to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.
- There’s also a need for mental health treatment during pregnancy, as up to 20% of pregnant women experience depressive symptoms.
Many people recover during pregnancy, and you can too. Compassionate, respectful help is available, and treatment during pregnancy can improve outcomes for both you and your baby.
How We Care for Pregnant Women at RCA
Every pregnant patient receives priority admission consideration at all RCA locations, and we perform a full clinical assessment before anything begins. That assessment helps determine the safest level of care for you. We consider:
- How far along you are (gestational age)
- Your medical and obstetric history
- Your prenatal care needs
- Your individual clinical circumstances
From there, your care may include medical withdrawal management, medication-assisted treatment when appropriate, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention planning, trauma-informed care, treatment for co-occurring disorders, and family support including interventions. We coordinate directly with your obstetric provider, so your pregnancy and your recovery move forward together smoothly.
With treatment centers across the United States, experienced addiction medicine teams, mental health experts, and evidence-based MAT (MOUD/MAUD) programs, RCA helps expectant mothers access care designed around both recovery and pregnancy. Our teams support patients across multiple levels of care, helping ensure continuity from the first phone call through ongoing recovery.
Why Treatment During Pregnancy is the Safest Choice for You and Your Family
Many patients ask, “Will treatment hurt my baby?” Here’s the honest answer:
Untreated addiction is much more dangerous. Continued substance use during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and loss of pregnancy. But so can stopping substance use without medical support can trigger seizures, fetal distress, preterm labor, and other life-threatening complications. Supervised treatment is designed to prevent these risks. Medical professionals who understand your pregnancy can stabilize you safely, coordinate with your prenatal care, and protect your baby’s development at every stage.
The earlier treatment begins, the more opportunities healthcare providers have to support a healthy pregnancy, reduce complications, and help you prepare for a healthy delivery.
This same timeline matters legally.
Legal Protections & Confidentiality
One of the most common reasons women hesitate to ask for help is the fear of losing their child or being reported. But federal privacy laws protect your treatment records under 42 CFR Part 2. Details about your medical history can’t be shared without your written permission.
It’s also true that if a child is born affected by substance exposure, including having withdrawal symptoms or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, federal law requires that the health care provider must notify child protective services. This notification is not automatically a finding of abuse or neglect. It initiates a CPS assessment of risk, and the outcome of that assessment depends on the circumstances, including whether the mother sought treatment.
What We Treat
At RCA, we provide drug treatment while pregnant and care for alcohol use, opioid use, and other substance use disorders. We also treat dual diagnosis and primary mental health:
- Substance use disorders, including alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants
- Dual diagnosis (co-occurring disorders where addiction and a mental health condition manifest together)
- Primary mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma-related disorders, and more at select locations
Whether you’re facing one of these conditions or several at once, your care plan is built around all of it, as well as your pregnancy.
How to Get Started
Three steps. That’s all it takes to begin.
Phase 1: Assessment and Admission
Our treatment advisors are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Call 1.800.RECOVERY or submit a secure online form. In the first phone call, we can:
- Conduct an evaluation of your history and current circumstances
- Confirm your insurance benefits and clarify any out-of-pocket costs
- Determine the most appropriate level of care for your situation , including detox, inpatient residential, and outpatient
- Establish your treatment schedule
Phase 2: Active Treatment Begins
RCA programming includes:
- Evidence-based therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care
- Personalized treatment pathways: Whether this is your first time in treatment or you have experienced multiple treatment episodes, have a dual diagnosis, or need help with a mental illness without an active addiction, there is a place for you here.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): When clinically appropriate, FDA-approved medications like methadone and buprenorphine are administered to help manage cravings and withdrawal.
- Holistic Support: Wellness-focused services like spiritual services, mindfulness, fitness, and nutrition guidance
- Family Support & Education: Loved ones are supported through family coaching that enhances communication, connection, and long-term recovery outcomes.
Phase 3: Stepping Down with Continued Support
As your foundation strengthens, we guide your transition toward:
- Step-down levels of care
- Membership in RCA’s alumni network and recovery events
- Aftercare planning and resources including ongoing peer support connections
- Continued family education opportunities
Asking for help, especially when pregnant, takes an incredible amount of courage. Call 1.800.RECOVERY now to speak with someone today, or verify your insurance online in minutes. You don’t need to have everything figured out now. You just have to make the call. With Recovery Centers of America facilities across multiple states, prenatal addiction treatment and a pregnancy-safe detox near you may be closer than you think.
OUR LOCATIONS
Our Locations
Life Inside Recovery Centers of America
Take a closer look inside our locations. From inviting shared spaces to thoughtfully designed treatment environments, our facilities are built to support comfort, connection, and meaningful progress in recovery.
Medication-Assisted Treatment During Pregnancy
For opioid use disorder, MAT during pregnancy is the recommended standard of care according to:
- ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine)
If clinically indicated, two medications are used most often. Methadone and buprenorphine keep withdrawal at bay, stop the harmful cycle of intoxication and withdrawal that stresses your baby, and help you stay engaged in prenatal care. Your care team will recommend whether MAT is right for you, based on medical history and stage of pregnancy.
What To Expect: Your Care at RCA and Beyond
RCA’s inpatient and outpatient programs are grounded by our care model, which includes individual and group therapy backed by science, MAT, family involvement, 12-Step Recovery Support, case management, measurement-driven care, and alumni.
- Our team coordinates with OB providers, so your appointments, lab work, and any pregnancy concerns stay on track during treatment.
- Recovery doesn’t end when your baby arrives. The weeks after delivery can be risky, with postpartum depression, relapse, and the exhaustion of new motherhood potentially manifesting all at once. We plan for that before it happens.
- Your continued care can include step-down referrals to lower levels of care/treatment intensity so you can continue receiving ongoing therapy, postpartum mental health support, and continued medication management when needed.
- RCA’s alumni association offers meetings, sober events, and lifelong connections to people who understand, ensuring that you are never alone in your recovery, even after you leave our walls.
Comparing Treatment, Services, and Levels of Care
Choosing the right treatment program depends on individual needs and circumstances. The table below outlines RCA’s various treatment approaches, services, and levels of care. Our specialists are available 24/7 to help you determine the best level of care to meet your needs.
| Approach | Description | Best For | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Structured, professionally led conversation designed to help someone accept addiction treatment. This process brings together family members and loved ones to express concern in a supportive, non-judgmental environment | People who are denying or minimizing their substance use, refusing treatment, or are struggling to seek help on their own | Typically, between 1–2 hours. Planning and preparation with a certified intervention professional (CIP) may take several days to a few weeks prior |
| Medical Detox | Safely ridding the body of substances with round-the-clock monitoring of vital signs by a specialized medical team | Patients using substances regularly in large amounts for an extended period, increasing the amounts of substances, or those with intense cravings | Varies per person but typically 3-7 days. |
| Inpatient Residential Rehabilitation | 24/7 residential care with intensive therapy and medical supervision | Individuals who need a higher level of support or a structured environment to focus fully on recovery, including those with co-occurring mental health conditions. | Typically, up to 30 or more days |
| Partial Hospitalization (PHP)* | Intensive, structured treatment during the day without overnight stays | Those stepping down from inpatient treatment or those first starting their journey who need substantial support but with a stable living situation | Daily sessions for 5 to 6 hours, 5 days a week, lasting several weeks |
| Intensive Outpatient (IOP)** | Regular therapy sessions (in-person, virtual, and hybrid options available at RCA) allowing individuals to maintain daily responsibilities | Those stepping down from inpatient treatment or those first starting their journey who need structured support with flexibility | 3 to 4 sessions per week, each lasting a few hours, over several months |
| Virtual Intensive Outpatient** | Group therapy and individual counseling, from home via secure telehealth platform | Those discharging from detox or residential programs and continuing treatment, or those interested in just beginning sobriety from home | 3 to 4 sessions per week, each lasting a few hours, over several months |
| General Outpatient Programs (GOP) | Less intensive therapy sessions, often weekly | Individuals who have built a foundation in recovery and want continued support while returning to everyday life. | Varies. Often weekly sessions over several months |
| Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) | Combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies | Individuals with opioid or alcohol use disorders | Varies. Can be long-term |
| Sober Living | Patients live onsite in RCA recovery housing while participating in RCA outpatient programming | Patients step down from RCA’s inpatient residential treatment to our outpatient programs in support of a smoother transition to independent living. | Varies based on personalized treatment plans. Can be several weeks to months. |
*In Massachusetts, this level of care is referred to as Extended Day Treatment. In New Jersey, it is referred to as Partial Care.
** In Massachusetts, this level of care is referred to as Day Treatment.
Insurance & Cost
Cost should never be the reason a pregnant woman goes without care. Most private insurance plans cover addiction treatment, and substance use disorder treatment is considered an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If you’re wondering whether insurance covers rehab during pregnancy, our team can quickly verify your benefits and explain your options.
RCA accepts most major insurances. Our 24/7 admissions team can review your benefits, explain any out-of-pocket responsibilities, and help you understand what services are covered before you make any decisions. RCA also offers interest-free payment plans. Call 1.800.RECOVERY today to review your options. We’ll help you explore every available path so you can focus on what matters most: your health and your baby’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go to rehab while pregnant?
Yes. Rehab during pregnancy is encouraged. Treatment is tailored to protect both you and your baby.
Can I get treatment if I’m pregnant?
Absolutely. Pregnant women receive priority admission consideration at RCA. Many programs, including ours, are built specifically to care for expectant mothers.
Is it safe to detox while pregnant?
For alcohol use disorder (AUD), detox while pregnant is safe when it’s done under medical supervision. For opioid use disorder, medication for addiction treatment (MAT), typically methadone or buprenorphine, is used with other evidence-based therapies. Quitting alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids on your own can be dangerous, which is why supervised, pregnancy-safe treatment at a medical facility is encouraged.
Is alcohol detox while pregnant dangerous?
Stopping alcohol suddenly can cause severe withdrawal, including seizures. Alcohol detox while pregnant should always happen in a medical setting where you and your baby are monitored.
Will I lose my baby if I go to rehab?
Getting help is widely seen as a responsible, protective step, not a reason to take a child away. Going to rehab is far more likely to support your case as a parent than harm it.
Does rehab report to CPS?
No. Your treatment records are protected by federal privacy laws and aren’t shared without your consent. However, if a child is born affected by substance exposure, including having withdrawal symptoms or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, federal law requires that the health care provider must notify child protective services. This notification is not automatically a finding of abuse or neglect.
Is addiction treatment confidential during pregnancy?
Yes. Federal law (42 CFR Part 2) keeps your substance use treatment information private, and it can’t be released without your written permission.
What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT) during pregnancy?
MAT uses medication, usually buprenorphine or methadone, alongside counseling to treat opioid use disorder. It’s the recommended standard of care during pregnancy for women with opioid addictions. RCA offers MAT when clinically appropriate.
Is Suboxone and pregnancy a safe combination?
Buprenorphine, the main medication in Suboxone, is considered safe and effective for opioid use disorder during pregnancy, and it is recommended by leading medical groups. Your care team will choose the right approach for you.
Can my OB-GYN work with the treatment team?
Yes. With your permission, RCA can coordinate with your OB-GYN and other healthcare providers to help ensure your addiction treatment, prenatal care, medications, and pregnancy-related needs remain aligned throughout treatment.
Does insurance cover pregnancy rehab?
Most insurance plans cover addiction treatment during pregnancy. We can verify your coverage quickly and confidentially.
How do I find rehab for pregnant women near me?
RCA has facilities across multiple states, so help may be closer than you expect. Call us and we’ll match you with the nearest location that offers prenatal addiction treatment and pregnancy-safe detox.