Substance Abuse
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Alcohol & drug use occurs in 5 to 10 percent of all
pregnant women, and it occurs in all ethnic, geographic
and socioeconomic groups. (NCEMCH, 1997)
The most effective way to determine substance abuse
risk is to screen every pregnant woman.
Substance abuse screening is important
- To prevent adverse outcomes & improve the health of both the mother & her infant
- Treatment & intervention can be more effective during pregnancy
- Relationship to other associated issues – violence, HIV, unintended pregnancy
(ACOG Technical Bulletin, 1994)
Screening Tools
- Not intended to diagnose a substance abuse problem
- To determine if a pregnant women is at risk for a substance abuse problem and would benefit by a more thorough evaluation
- Can be given in 5 to 15 minutes
- Use routinely on all pregnant women, not just those suspected of substance abuse
- Can be adapted into any history
- Can be given at each visit
- Provide an opportunity to educate about alcohol & drugs abuse
For more information, visit the following online resources:
Maternal Substance Abuse Screening Initiative for Providers – www.didyouask.org
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – www.acog.org
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