Substance Abuse Reporting and Pregnancy: The Role of the Obstetrician–Gynecologist

A disturbing trend in legal actions and policies is the criminalization of substance abuse during pregnancy when it is believed to be associated with fetal harm or adverse perinatal outcomes. Although no state specifically criminalizes drug abuse during pregnancy, prosecutors have relied on a host of established criminal laws to punish a woman for prenatal substance abuse 1. As of September 1, 2010, fifteen states consider substance abuse during pregnancy to be child abuse under civil child-welfare statutes, and three consider it grounds for involuntary commitment to a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility 1. States vary in their requirements for the evidence of drug exposure to the fetus or newborn in order to report a case to the child welfare system. Examples of the differences include the following: South Carolina relies on a single positive drug test result, Florida mandates reporting newborns that are “demonstrably adversely affected” by prenatal drug exposure, and in Texas, an infant must be “addicted” to an illegal substance at birth. Most states focus only on the abuse of some illegal drugs as cause for legal action. For instance, in Maryland, the use of drugs such as methamphetamines or marijuana may not be cause for reporting the pregnant woman to authorities 2. Some states also include evidence of alcohol use by a pregnant woman in their definitions of child neglect.

Although legal action against women who abuse drugs prenatally is taken with the intent to produce healthy birth outcomes, negative results are frequently cited. Incarceration and the threat of incarceration have proved to be ineffective in reducing the incidence of alcohol or drug abuse 3 4 5. Legally mandated testing and reporting puts the therapeutic relationship between the obstetrician–gynecologist and the patient at risk, potentially placing the physician in an adversarial relationship with the patient 6 7. In one study, women who abused drugs did not trust health care providers to protect them from the social and legal consequences of identification and avoided or emotionally disengaged from prenatal care 8. Studies indicate that prenatal care greatly reduces the negative effects of substance abuse during pregnancy, including decreased risks of low birth weight and prematurity 9. Drug enforcement policies that deter women from seeking prenatal care are contrary to the welfare of the mother and fetus.

Seeking obstetric–gynecologic care should not expose a woman to criminal or civil penalties, such as incarceration, involuntary commitment, loss of custody of her children, or loss of housing 6. These approaches treat addiction as a moral failing. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing biological and behavioral disorder with genetic components. The disease of substance addiction is subject to medical and behavioral management in the same fashion as hypertension and diabetes. Substance abuse reporting during pregnancy may dissuade women from seeking prenatal care and may unjustly single out the most vulnerable, particularly women with low incomes and women of color 10. Although the type of drug may differ, individuals from all races and socioeconomic strata have similar rates of substance abuse and addiction 11.

Pregnant women who do not receive treatment for drug dependence cannot be assumed to have rejected treatment 12. The few drug treatment facilities in the United States accepting pregnant women often do not provide child care, account for the woman’s family responsibilities, or provide treatment that is affordable. As of 2010, only 19 states have drug treatment programs for pregnant women, and only nine give priority access to pregnant women 1.

Obstetrician–gynecologists have important opportunities for substance abuse intervention. Three of the key areas in which they can have an effect are 1) adhering to safe prescribing practices, 2) encouraging healthy behaviors by providing appropriate information and education, and 3) identifying and referring patients already abusing drugs to addiction treatment professionals 13. Substance abuse treatment programs integrated with prenatal care have proved to be effective in reducing maternal and fetal pregnancy complications and costs 14.

The use of the legal system to address perinatal alcohol and substance abuse is inappropriate. Obstetrician–gynecologists should be aware of the reporting requirements related to alcohol and drug abuse within their states. In states that mandate reporting, policy makers, legislators, and physicians should work together to retract punitive legislation and identify and implement evidence-based strategies outside the legal system to address the needs of women with addictions. These approaches should include the development of safe, affordable, available, efficacious, and comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment services for all women, especially pregnant women, and their families.