Substance Abuse During Pregnancy

These guidelines have been developed to enable professionals to assist women who are pregnant, or have recently had a child, and who use alcohol or drugs or who have a substance use disorder, to achieve healthy outcomes for themselves and their fetus or infant. They have been developed in response to requests from organizations, institutions and individuals for technical guidance on the identification and management of alcohol, and other substance use and substance use disorders in pregnant women. They were developed in tandem with the WHO recommendations for the prevention and management of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure in pregnancy.

This book provides a first in-depth, comprehensive, and evidenced-based overview of the treatment of substance use disorders in the pregnant patient. It provides readers with materials that will not only aid them in identifying, assessing, and understanding the issues involved in treating these women, but also the practical tools to implement the best practices from comprehensive care programs specializing in this sort of treatment. Each chapter strikes a balance between the best scientific information available and reasoned, clinical wisdom to fill in where evidence-based information is unavailable -- all in a form that is practical and accessible. It is a valuable tool for clinicians and service providers across disciplines.

Gain guidance and support when treating the high-risk population of women confronting (or battling) opioid-use disorders during pregnancy.

Abstract: This book addresses the use of drug groups for various clinical indications during pregnancy. In general, non-pharmacologic remedies are recommended if these will suffice before drug therapy is instituted. Known adverse effects of drugs are documented and caution is advised because of the many unknowns about long-term effects of drug exposure to the developing fetus. Drugs used for the common cold, antituberculosis agents, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, and marijuana and cocaine are included.

Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation, Third Edition is a quick and reliable reference for all those working in disciplines related to fertility, pregnancy, lactation, child health and human genetics who prescribe or deliver medicinal products, and to those who evaluate health and safety risks. Each chapter contains twofold information regarding drugs that are appropriate for prescription during pregnancy and an assessment of the risk of a drug when exposure during pregnancy has already occurred. Thoroughly updated with current regulations, references to the latest pharmacological data, and new medicinal products, this edition is a comprehensive resource covering latest knowledge and findings related to drugs during lactation and pregnancy. Provides evidence-based recommendations to help clinicians make appropriate recommendations Uniquely organized and structured according to drug class and treatment indications to offer authoritative clinical content on potential adverse effects Highlights new research developments from primary source about working mechanism of substances that cause developmental disorders

Fleshes out the story that is dominated by data concerning the effect of drugs on the unborn, by listening to pregnant or recently delivered women who take addictive drugs. Drawing on interviews with 120 such women, two sociologists explore such issues as how they decide whether or not to terminate their pregnancy, what their parents and family members think about the situation, and what options are available to them if they choose to keep the baby but kick the habit. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Alcohol and other drugs of abuse cause significant physi ological changes, especially during development. The effects on the infant and child range from severe mental retardation to mild changes in activity and neurological functions. Although the level of intake needed to cause fetal damage is not clear, the magnitude of the problem is significant, with many long-term sequelae. As a result, it becomes critical to better diagnose and manage drug and alcohol use during pregnancy. This must involve special training for health care professionals. In addi tion, recognition of the psychosocial factors affecting alcohol use, especially by youth and young adults, is critical to modi fying behavior, and thus reducing fetal alcohol exposure. Cultural considerations can also come into play in modi fying alcohol and drug use by women so as to reduce fetal damage. The trends in alcohol and drug use by youth forecast rising levels of damage to infants. These children will need extensive medical and educational care for years to decades. Clearly, understanding of the role women must take in modifying their alcohol and drug use during pregnancy will facilitate changes in our cultural and educational practices that will help reduce fetal trauma from alcohol.

Significant changes have taken place in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use. During the past 20 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis and/or cannabidiol (a component of cannabis) for medical conditions or retail sales at the state level and 4 states have legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis. These landmark changes in policy have impacted cannabis use patterns and perceived levels of risk. However, despite this changing landscape, evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis use remains elusive. While a myriad of studies have examined cannabis use in all its various forms, often these research conclusions are not appropriately synthesized, translated for, or communicated to policy makers, health care providers, state health officials, or other stakeholders who have been charged with influencing and enacting policies, procedures, and laws related to cannabis use. Unlike other controlled substances such as alcohol or tobacco, no accepted standards for safe use or appropriate dose are available to help guide individuals as they make choices regarding the issues of if, when, where, and how to use cannabis safely and, in regard to therapeutic uses, effectively. Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives, and this lack of aggregated knowledge has broad public health implications. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This report provides a research agendaâ€"outlining gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for providing additional insight into these issuesâ€"that summarizes and prioritizes pressing research needs.