According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) as of 2022 approximately 10% of pregnant women use illicit substances.
Pregnancy, usually a time of joy and anticipation for most expectant mothers, can be a time of intense struggle for pregnant women battling substance use disorder. This topic sparks controversy placing these women in the crossfires of stigma and judgement.
This stigma within our society and system has led health care providers to believe these women are “selfish and morally flawed”.
The recent New York Times article “Pregnant, addicted and fighting the pull of drugs” by Jan Hoffman, explored the challenges faced by pregnant women addicted to drugs and other substances and how treating addiction compassionately can lead to better outcomes.
Tags: Addiction Services Child exposure Harm Reduction Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Programs
