Prenatal Substance Use

In this section, learn more about:

• Consequences of substance abuse during pregnancy
• How you and your staff can screen for substance abuse and provide brief interventions

Why is this Important?

A September 2006 needs assessment estimates that nearly 20 percent of women in Indiana use tobacco, while 10 percent use alcohol and 5 percent use other drugs during pregnancy. A critical step to prevent poor outcomes associated with substance abuse during pregnancy is to verbally screen all pregnant women for alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. The 2007 White House Office of National Drug Control Policy estimates that savings from verbal screening and brief interventions are $2.50 for every $1 spent. The estimated lifetime costs of caring for a baby exposed to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs range from $750,000 to $1.4 million.

IPN Resources

• Substance Abuse Disorders & Pregnancy Consensus Statement: Poor birth outcomes related to substance abuse are 100 percent preventable. This consensus statement provides detailed information about the incidence and significance of substance abuse during pregnancy and makes recommendations on the public policy, provider and consumer levels.

• 5 Tips to Stop Smoking During Pregnancy
• Smoking by Pregnant Women Fact Sheet
• "Your Baby Wants You Both to Quit, Now" poster available upon request. Contact IPN, 317.924.0825 or ipn@indianaperinatal.org
• Substance Use Disorders and Pregnancy Summit, April, 2007
• Referral Resources

Role of IPN

• Convened a group of experts and concerned individuals from across the state to develop a comprehensive consensus statement that includes recommendations for providers, the public and policy makers to address this complex issue
• Hosted a statewide summit featuring national and state experts and effective intervention programs that exist throughout our state
• Played a lead role getting three different bills passed by the Indiana General Assembly to address this important and complex perinatal issue
• Actively participated on the State Prenatal Substance Abuse Commission
• Developed a unique, award-winning, provider training DVD
• Hosted 15 educational workshops for multidisciplinary providers throughout the state

For more information, contact Larry Humbert at 317.924.0825 x4224 or lhumbert@indianaperinatal.org.

Other Helpful Links

• Indiana State Department of Health Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Curriculum
• Call the Tobacco Quitline at 800.QUITNOW (800.784.8669) or visit the Indiana Tobacco Quitline website. The Quitline provides cessation support to smokers and resources for providers.
• Prenatal Substance Use Prevention Program
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of Applied Studies Find detailed reports and studies on women and substance use and substance use during pregnancy.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, CDC
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous

Click here to see what we are telling Mothers and Families.

External websites posted for informational purposes only. IPN does not endorse or assume responsibility for their content.