For the best chance at getting pregnant, it is best to abstain from both drug use and alcohol before conception. That goes for women and men.

Drug and Alcohol Use Before Conception

Everyone knows the devastating consequences that come from drinking or misusing drugs while a woman is pregnant. Based on a growing body of research, it is apparent that drug use and alcohol before conception may also reduce fertility.

Knowing these risks can help clarify the impacts and consequences of a person’s drug or alcohol problem. If you and your partner want to start a family, then getting help to treat a substance use disorder is essential. Read on to learn more about the links between drug or alcohol use and infertility, and how to overcome your substance problems.

How Long a Woman Should Give Up Alcohol Before Conception

Many women like to have a drink to wind down at the end of a hectic day. On the other hand, some women don’t have control and drink too much regularly. No matter, a study documented in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology has shown that a woman should stop drinking alcohol approximately six months before conception.¹ Likewise, men should abstain from alcohol for six months before conception as well. Both of these precautions lower the risk of giving birth to a baby with congenital heart disease.

Should Men Give Up Alcohol Before Conception?

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics uncovered that men who drink experience a heightened risk of sperm abnormalities.² As a result, defects in the digestive tract, limbs, or heart may occur in an unborn baby. Also, a cleft lip may occur. Although the chances of experiencing these congenital disabilities are low, it is worth being aware of the consequences of drinking before conception.

How Long a Woman Should Give Up Drug Use Before Conception

There are a variety of recreational drugs that can cause adverse effects on unborn babies. Besides refraining from drug misuse during pregnancy, it is vital to stop taking these substances before conception. Studies have linked drug misuse to infertility. For a couple looking to start a family, drug use can be the tragic reason the woman cannot get pregnant.

Marijuana Misuse and Infertility

An established study concluded that women who admitted to smoking marijuana had a heightened risk for ovulation problems.³ An anovulatory cycle, a month when no egg is released, was most prevalent in females who used marijuana within one year of trying to have a baby.

A different study found a link between marijuana use and low sperm count.⁴ Both of these studies suggest that it is best to stop smoking marijuana before trying to conceive. Experts recommend that women stop smoking the substance one year before trying to become pregnant. Men should stop using marijuana three months before trying to conceive.

Cocaine Misuse and Infertility

Cocaine is another recreational drug that jeopardizes a person’s fertility. Again, both men and women are affected. A study performed in the 1990s examined the impact of cocaine on ovulation.⁵Researchers discovered that cocaine might make a woman’s menstrual cycle inconsistent, and fallopian tube abnormalities may result from cocaine use.

A 1990 Yale University study found that using cocaine lowers a man’s sperm count.⁶ Also, long-term use makes it difficult to maintain testosterone levels. In other words, it harms the quality of a man’s sperm.

Since cocaine can pass from the sperm to an egg after fertilization, a mother is at higher risk of miscarriage. Therefore, it is advised for a couple to suspend this type of drug use a few months before trying to conceive.

It is Not Always Easy to Quit

Although most people have good intentions and want to deliver healthy babies, it is not always easy to stop taking drugs when a misuse disorder exists. Some people may decide to quit cold turkey, but this can lead to harmful results. Also, relapse is common without solid treatment.

Other times, a woman may become pregnant without any pre-planning. Upon learning about her pregnancy, she may try to quit drugs or alcohol without success. As previously discussed, these types of substances can have severe effects on an unborn child and can lead to long-term health consequences for them.

Seeking Help for an Alcohol or Drug Use Before Conception

If a person’s drug use is more than recreational and is hard to quit, it is essential to seek assistance. Along with various harmful effects on the individual’s health, we’ve shown that fertility challenges are another consequence of substance use.

Getting sober is vital before pregnancy. As discussed, a woman must abstain from drugs and alcohol before conception. At Ocean Hills Recovery, we provide a relaxing atmosphere to begin treatment. We have various treatment options that help a person prepare mentally and physically for starting a family. To receive more information, contact our compassionate and professional staff today

Sources:

[1] https://www.webmd.com/men/news/20191004/men-should-quit-drinking-before-trying-to-conceive

[2] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2778779

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2081252/

[4] https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/182/6/473/82600?login=true

[5] https://www.eivf.org/post/the-dangerous-way-that-cocaine-affects-your-fertility

[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2298313/

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

How Long Should You Abstain from Drug Use or Alcohol Use Before Conception?