Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders: The Gap Between Treatment Need and Receipt

Abstract

Differences in pregnant and non-pregnant women’s alcohol and drug use, substance treatment need, and treatment receipt were examined using The National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2002–2006). Treatment need and receipt were defined by either self-report or DSM-IV criteria. Pregnant women were less likely to use alcohol and drugs than non-pregnant women. Among women who use drugs, pregnant women were more likely to need treatment (odds ratio (OR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46, 2.52), however they were not more likely to receive treatment (OR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.54, 1.51). Overall, there is an unmet need for treatment among reproductive-aged substance users.

KEYWORDS:

• Pregnancy
• substance treatment
• illicit drug use
• alcohol use
• women