In 1989, ABC Recovery Center began to serve pregnant mothers in what would become one of our most well-known programs, the perinatal program. Women can come in during any phase of their pregnancy and be provided with substance abuse treatment, prenatal care, education on parenting, and community resources for on-going support. Eventually, when these women have their children, they can transition to long-term housing at ABC that allows them to live on campus until their baby reaches its first birthday. ABC Recovery Center provides a warm and nurturing environment.

According to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, alcohol causes more harm than heroin or cocaine during pregnancy.  The neurobehavioral effects from alcohol on the fetus are on par with that of mercury; and there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.  There is plenty of buzz in the media about how alcohol in “moderation” is safe during pregnancy.  Celebrities too have fed into this lie. Catherine Zeta-Jones has commented that she consumes “one glass of red wine a night” while pregnant, and that her doctor approves. The reality however, is that this is not safe. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

Over 40,000 newborns each year have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome which causes a spectrum of life-long problems such as facial, skeletal and organ deformities, growth deficiencies, behavioral problems, and central nervous system handicaps.

If you or a loved one is pregnant and unable to stop drinking or using drugs, please contact us at (760) 342-6616.  There is a way out. To date, ABC Recovery Center has treated almost 900 pregnant women. We offer a perinatal program to meet the special needs of expectant mothers struggling with substance abuse. Mothers-to-be, in addition to receiving the same level of care as our other residential patients, receive important added benefits of this specialized program.

Prenatal and parenting education are provided on ABC Recovery Center’s campus, coordinated by our nursing staff and our team of specialized professionals. Prenatal medical care is also provided during the pregnancy by local obstetricians. Once the baby is born the newborn stays in our specialized nursery residence with their mothers for the first month of their lives. During this time the new mothers receive parenting training, often for the first time in their lives.

For information about admission to our recovery center please click here.