Early Intervention and Resources for Expectant Mothers with Substance Use Problems: Service Shortages in the Present Age

Abstract

Substance use during pregnancy exposes prenatally unborn children to alcohol and other drugs. Such exposure may cause serious damage to the unborn child, including but not limited to fetal
alcohol syndrome (FAS), neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS),
and is devastating in terms of human suffering, not to mention
monumental healthcare costs. Expectant mothers should be
shown compassion about their addiction and provided early access
to resources to improve these outcomes. Punishing them will most
likely push them away from the healthcare system and increases
stigma.